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Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: brazen20au on September 15, 2010, 10:01:39 am

Title: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: brazen20au on September 15, 2010, 10:01:39 am
Hi all, long time no see :D (and no, i'm not really back yet lol)

part of my new job requires me to research how to cook healthily on a budget and i even get to blog surf  8) anyway it inspired me to post this new challenge (ok, it's taken me about 3 weeks to get here to do it but anyway.... lol)

come up with any many ideas or links as you can for recipes that use 4 ingredients or less. bonus points for each 'whole' food you use rather than a processed food (interpret this how you will ;))

good luck and have fun!
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Chelsea (Thermie Groupie) on September 15, 2010, 10:59:06 am
A great challenge Karen - thanks!  You're new job sounds great.   :)
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: achookwoman on September 15, 2010, 12:27:09 pm
Karen,  that is certainly some challenge.   Hope you enjoy your new job.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: zebraa on September 15, 2010, 01:07:25 pm
4 ingrediants cookbooks will sort you out................!
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Chelsea (Thermie Groupie) on September 15, 2010, 02:29:18 pm
4 ingrediants cookbooks will sort you out................!

You would think so but I find a lot of their recipes are lacking in the wholesome or "whole food" department.  :)
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: achookwoman on September 15, 2010, 11:58:19 pm
I think that a lot of the recipes in the 3 and 4 ingredients books have a tin of this or packet of that.  The challenge will be to make tasty dishes from whole foods.  Pizza is starting to look good ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: quirkycooking on September 16, 2010, 02:12:24 am
Yes, I was very disappointed with the 4 ingredients cookbooks - hardly anything in there I'd cook, as lot of tinned or packet stuff.

So how many recipes can we contribute, Karen?  ;D
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Thermomixer on September 16, 2010, 05:34:52 am
Do we get a commission for helping do your work  ???  :-* :-* :-* :-*  Put my thinking cap on.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: SimplyBeing on September 16, 2010, 01:48:26 pm
I saw in Big W the '4 Ingredients' series has a new book out called: '4 Ingredients: Fast, Fresh & Healthy.' They've teamed up with Deepak Chopra to create nutrient rich recipes. It might give you some ideas.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Thermomixer on September 16, 2010, 02:41:13 pm
Welcome SimplyBeing, have fun here - thanks for the heads up on yet another possible book for the shelves  :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: cookie1 on September 17, 2010, 03:22:08 am
Welcome to the forum SimplyBeing.

Yippee, I think I've found my recipe. Just have to give it a test run over the weekend. Karen what do you want us to do?  Post them here, or in the appropriate section noting that they only have 4 ingredients?
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Chelsea (Thermie Groupie) on September 17, 2010, 07:19:44 am
I saw in Big W the '4 Ingredients' series has a new book out called: '4 Ingredients: Fast, Fresh & Healthy.' They've teamed up with Deepak Chopra to create nutrient rich recipes. It might give you some ideas.

My Hubby bought this book for me recently.  The recipes certainly seem healthy, but in my opinion not very appealing or creative.  :(
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: SimplyBeing on September 18, 2010, 02:16:47 pm
Thanks for the welcome Thermomixer and Cookie1  :)

Chelsea - shame you haven't found the book very useful. The book might be more suited to people who don't have a lot of experience cooking healthy meals.  Will be interesting to see what forum members come up with  :D
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: achookwoman on September 18, 2010, 02:23:59 pm
Welcome Simplybeing,   hope you enjoy the Forum.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: obbie on September 22, 2010, 02:59:15 am
 :)  Hi, I have the book 4 Ingredients no. 2, with a red cover.
i never use it though.

Robyn
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: zebraa on September 22, 2010, 05:34:27 am
I have 3 of them - I always get one or two good recipes out of them (muffins/date dip - to die for) that are worth the price. And they are great for lending to people who can't cook.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: brazen20au on September 23, 2010, 11:12:30 pm
share as many as you like jo!!

i just bought the 'fast fresh and healthy' book for work - and i do own the gluten free one (but have never used it lol) i refused to buy the others as they were so full of processed stuff.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Zan on October 17, 2010, 02:01:41 pm
OK a few ideas of the top of my head:
Let me know if you are interested in them being made into proper recipes (fleshed them out a little after initial ideas but not quite a recipe), do salt and pepper count as ingredients?


soup can think of a number of ideas.
All start with decent stock - but some of the packaged campbells type ones would do
e.g

1 lt chicken stock
add 4-6 potatoes and
2 leeks and
1/2 a chili finely chopped or 1/8 tsp of chilli flakes.
cook until potatoes tender and blend.

for variations - could use pepper instead of chilli
or for a milder version cream instead of chili (add the cream after blending)
for different flavours, use cabbage, brocolli or another vegetable instead of leek.


Lemon fish (insert variety??) with potato wedges and steamed carrots.

Place fish fillets topped with a slice of  lemon in foil and make into a parcel
Peal potatoes and cut into wedges and parboil
Place seasoned wedges (or is that another ingredient??) and fish packages into the oven and cook.
Serve with steamed carrots .

Could do similar to the above but with chicken or fish and different flavourings - herbs, apricot, orange, curry paste (ok so these aren't whole foods) and could do rice or cous cous or different veg.
(can come up with hundreds of varieations, lol).

Prawns, cous cous and courgette

Cook or heat prawns (depending if pre-cooked or not) in a frying pan.
In a saucepan heat water and olive oil (hope water doesn't count as an ingredient!) and add cous cous. Put lid on and leave 5 mins to cook.
Meanwhile steam courgette (or whatever veg of choosing).


Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: bellesy on October 28, 2010, 10:35:11 am
How about Essene bread?  It only has one ingredient   :D

http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3558.0 (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3558.0)
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: cottchick on October 28, 2010, 01:09:44 pm
Isi's Portuguese Rolls can be done with 4 ingredients (leave out the salt, its a sweeter bread but just beautiful). I have been chain-making these the last few days!

cottchick
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: jflim on October 28, 2010, 03:27:09 pm

Hi,

Looking for a 5 -4 ingredients or less recipe.... I just posted this in awhile ago. :)

http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=4707.0


Hope you'll like it. :)


Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Sonan on January 06, 2011, 12:08:23 am
I agree about the 4 ingredient cookbooks. They are probably a good starting point for people who don't like to cook or who are time poor. I was horrified at all the processed foods! Even the 'healthy' cookbook didn't appeal to me.
Anyway, variety is the key to good health and I remember reading that we should have at least 30 different foods a day for good allround health! :)
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Thermo Jo (aka Jodi) on February 14, 2011, 09:48:52 pm
I gave my 4 ingredient cookbook away. Didn't like all the processed stuff. Felt like it was cheating really.
I like making from scratch, not packets!
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: cookie1 on February 15, 2011, 02:08:30 am
Better for us too Jodi and with the TMX it is so easy.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: brazen20au on March 19, 2011, 07:36:46 am
here's a great blog with 4 ingredient recipes ripe for conversion ;)
http://thestonesoup.com/blog/
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Cookie-la-la on March 26, 2011, 02:52:52 am
I was disapointed with the 4 ingredients books, too.  I think I have the original one and the healthy one.  I tried the creamy chicken/sundried tomato recipe and found it lacking in flavour so needed to add herbs or chilli or something but then that was more than 4 ingredients but then by adding rice or pasta makes it more than 4 ingredients.

My creamy garlic prawns recipe only has 4 ingredients.  I am just in the process of getting my head around how to "do it" in the TMX.  The ingredients are butter, garlic, prawns and cream.  Chop garlic in TMX then saute in butter, add prawns and then cream -- haven't worked out times and I don't weigh or count ingredients, I just go by 'feel', sorry probably not much help.  I also sometimes add a chilli or two but that makes it a 5 ingredient dish.

  And then you serve it with rice, too so another ingredient.

I'm useless at this, sorry
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Kuwait Cook on March 30, 2011, 02:37:29 pm
I have a great Mushroom Soup that has 3 main ingredients and then salt and pepper to taste.
500g mushrooms, trimmed
150g rice, uncooked
1 liter veggie stock
salt and pepper to taste.

Add the mushrooms, rice and stock to the TM bowl. Cook at 15 minutes/100 deg/speed 2.

Slowly and carefully raise the speed to 8 until the soup is pureed smooth.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4. Yum.

Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: judydawn on March 31, 2011, 12:58:40 am
Couldn't get anything easier than that Kuwait Cook - must try it.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: sue_h on August 15, 2011, 01:51:24 pm
I'm trying that soup. My kids aren't into mushrooms but definately love soup. It sounds so easy. My type of soup.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: bluesed on August 15, 2011, 03:38:38 pm
panelle siciliane uses only 3 ingredients (not counting salt and oil to fry)

Chick Peas, water and pasley
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Food 4 Thought on August 25, 2011, 02:55:40 am
The 4 ingredients books never seem healthy to me because of all the processed ingredients used.  I make the pumpkin soup from the EDC all the time using just onion, butternut pumpkin, stock and water.  Sometimes adding seasoning depending on my stock.
I also do a similar on with cauliflower, stock, water and a tsp of curry powder. 
Will get my thinking cap on for more recipes.Great challenge!
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: judydawn on August 25, 2011, 05:52:13 am
This isn't a current challenge Food 4 Thought but by all means add your ideas to it and keep it going.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: leesmac78 on October 15, 2011, 07:35:01 am
I did purchase a year or so ago the Australian Women's Weekly Take 4 INGREDIENTS and it is far better than those other ones. Even their television programme didn't appeal to me when I saw it one foxtel a few years ago.  Nothing creative or stylish about opening two packets and a can at all....  Who wants to star on a Thermomix cooking show with me?  I promise that it would be a laugh a minute and we would sell squillions of Thermomixes ...

Xxx

 ;D
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: judydawn on October 15, 2011, 07:40:49 am
I can do the laughing whilst you do all the talking and cooking Lee  ;D
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: leesmac78 on October 15, 2011, 07:53:29 am
Oh Judy, wouldn't we have a lovely time?  Everyone would watch us and we would sell so many Thermomixes and then we could move to the Barhamas and hide all our money from the tax man...

Xxx

 ;D
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: judydawn on October 15, 2011, 09:03:59 am
You have a very active mind Lee but it doesn't hurt to dream  ;D
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Wonder on October 15, 2011, 10:18:14 am
Leesmac78, I was watching the Donna Hay cooking show and was thinking how great it would be if there was a TMX show maybe should pitch it to a network. If Huey can have his own show surely you can have one.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Bedlam on October 15, 2011, 12:22:13 pm
Absolutely lee and Judy, it would' be great, much better than huey
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: cookie1 on October 16, 2011, 06:55:00 am
We could all come along for guest appearances.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: judydawn on October 16, 2011, 12:57:37 pm
Nice quick recipe Millipede. Thanks for that.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: obbie on October 18, 2011, 09:26:08 pm
 :) A thermomix show would be great. Why don't they do one, and put it on lifestyle food.

Just think of all the sales from that.

Robyn
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Moo2 on November 07, 2011, 05:50:53 am
Book publishing today (in the mix), tomorrow the food channel. The sky is the limit for TMX'ers.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: mcmich on January 05, 2012, 07:10:43 am
Tried Millipede's recipe for Tuna Pasta. I made it as a pasta bake added garlic and put some grated cheese on top before putting in the oven. Very Yummy.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: judydawn on January 29, 2012, 10:45:35 pm
Interesting recipe MJ - simple things are often the best.  Thanks for sharing that with us, something the grand-kids would like and my tuna loving DD1 with no kids.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: DizzyGirl on January 29, 2012, 11:22:30 pm
TMX cooking show.... what an idea. Just letting you know that I will not be appearing on it. I am a more behind the scenes kind a girl unlike my actress SIL.


We could have different celeb chefs appearing each week and have them convert and cook their fav recipes. Oh the possibilities  :D
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: cookie1 on January 30, 2012, 05:29:58 am
I think whoever does the first TMX cooking show will do well with their cookbook and other things like aprons etc. I wonder if Poh is interested?
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: paperfreak on January 30, 2012, 02:05:33 pm
Hommus dip: chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice
Beetroot dip: beetroot, parmesan, cashews
Mash potatoes

..Lots of healthy 4ish ingredient dip recipes. Not so much for main meals though.

Grilled chicken and roast vegies
Dukkah encrusted lamb chops with roast vegies.. not on the cheap side though

Homemade jam: fruit, agar agar, rapadura sugar

A boring chicken ball recipe: chicken mince, breadcrumbs, peanut butter, egg

Peanut Butter: peanuts, oil

Simple LTMS: puffed rice, marshmallows. Or Puffed rice with butter, honey, sugar.

Crumbed chicken
Fish fingers
CADA
Coleslaw: cabbage, carrot, onion, mayo, apple

Hope that helps
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: mcmich on March 04, 2012, 08:32:44 am
Paperfreak, these chicken balls don't sound boring at all.
Do you have some weights for this recipe?
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Greyhoundmum on July 30, 2012, 07:12:44 am
HI I have several large tins of peaches in the pantry - dont know why I even bought them!!! I have been inspired by fellow TMXs using up things in the pantry.. Any ideas on a desert/cake/slice with peaches?
thanks
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Amy :-) on July 30, 2012, 07:22:43 am
Hi GHM, I made this beautiful pear and ginger pudding using tinned pears, and I think peaches would work really well in it too :)

http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3648.0 (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3648.0)
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: judydawn on July 30, 2012, 12:44:09 pm
GHM, Trudy's Peaches and Cream Dessert (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=6674.0) is really lovely. It makes a huge dessert.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Greyhoundmum on July 30, 2012, 02:22:34 pm
thanks Amy and JD I think I may try both! 😄
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Amy :-) on July 30, 2012, 10:37:09 pm
There's no reason why not GHM ;) ;D
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: mcmich on July 31, 2012, 08:07:36 pm
I found a recipe in the latest coles pamphlet for an upside down cake GHM.
I'm going to use my tinned peaches up on that.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Greyhoundmum on August 01, 2012, 04:09:14 pm
Sounds nice mcmich let us know how it turns out.   I am definitely going to try the peaches and cream desert and after tonight's forum reading now want to try the tapioca pudding.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: fundj&e on October 29, 2012, 08:06:28 pm
i havnt made this yet but i will soon

1 very large or 2 small sweet potatoes, baked until soft and skin removed
4 eggs
1 tsp cinnamon (a pinch of nutmeg is nice too if you like it)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Blend sweet potatoes, eggs, and cinnamon until smooth. Pour into greased pie plate and bake for 25-30 minutes or until center is firm and top begins to brown lightly
9″ pie plate, which is about 1.25″ deep

Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: mcmich on October 29, 2012, 09:37:25 pm
Sounds good, nice twist on baked sweet potato. Let us know how it goes, I would like to try that with a baked dinner for a change.  :)
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Amy :-) on October 29, 2012, 09:56:13 pm
Ooooh, that does sound good Uni :D What sort of dinner would you serve it with?
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: fundj&e on October 29, 2012, 10:46:26 pm
no idea amy, like Mich said a baked dinner maybe
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Amy :-) on October 29, 2012, 10:51:17 pm
I think it would go nicely with some baked chicken pieces coated in Moroccan seasoning :)
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: fundj&e on November 13, 2012, 11:48:22 pm
baking the sweet potato pie now, will post pic if nice  :-))
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Amy :-) on November 13, 2012, 11:51:19 pm
If its not nice, post a pic in the Ooops photos thread ;D
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: fundj&e on November 13, 2012, 11:51:57 pm
good thinking bella
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: astarra on November 15, 2012, 02:48:13 am
Guessing it would sort of be like the sweet pumpkin dishes American's make?
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: fundj&e on November 15, 2012, 04:57:15 am
frank not 2 keen, but the girls like it
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: mcmich on November 15, 2012, 06:32:42 am
Looks lovely Uni.  :D
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: SuperMum_of_3 on December 01, 2012, 10:58:08 am
Main meals with 4 ingredients - I've got plenty of them, being a FAILSAFER & only eating organic in season, am usually pretty limited for variety on fresh veges. Hubby's not FAILSAFE though so have to be creative & make up yummy recipes.

Tonight's was shephard's pie.

Fried 3 cloves garlic & 3-4 sticks of chopped celery, added 1kg mince & browned. (I didn't count the oil & pinch of salt as ingredients).
Put mashed potato on top. (you can make with milk or water. I don't count water & butter as ingredients).
Bake for 10 min so the top potato layer crisps up a bit.

4 ingredients - nom nom.
Most people have a bit of tomato sauce or paste in pantry - you could throw in a bit of that in the mince if you want. I don't, cause it's not FAILSAFE.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: breadsauce on December 07, 2012, 02:02:14 pm
How about:

Grilled cheesy polenta (shaped to preference)
Cracked black pepper crusted tuna steak
with a salad and salsa (spicy) or lyutenitsa (not spicy)
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: RosieB on January 04, 2013, 12:36:56 pm
frank not 2 keen, but the girls like it
This is a regular here.  We all love it.
Title: Re: Challenge #5 - 4 ingredients or less
Post by: Persistenttiger on January 15, 2013, 09:48:37 am
If its not nice, post a pic in the Ooops photos thread ;D

There's an ooops photo thread? I missed that one.