Forum Thermomix

Questions Doubts and Requests => Tips and Tricks => Topic started by: meganjane on April 17, 2012, 03:35:19 pm

Title: Less Mess
Post by: meganjane on April 17, 2012, 03:35:19 pm
The last few nights I've been preparing and cooking our entire meal in the TMX. I'm amazed at how few dishes there are when I use the bowl for the main, transfer to the Thermoserver, then cook veggies/pasta in both bowl and Varoma.

I'm still a bit of a traditionalist and haven't cooked much meat in the TMX. Now that I'm planning on becoming a consultant, I thought its high time I did.
I'm certainly pleased with what I've made so far.
A pork Meatloaf (cooked in oven, but prepared in TMX), Beef Stroganoff and Chicken Curry.

The kitchen is just so much tidier!
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: cecilia on April 17, 2012, 04:08:58 pm
The other day, Thermomix selected "Chicken alla Cacciatore" as recipe of the day and it generated some very open discussion on the Thermomix in Australia Facebook page.  I found it very interesting to see what people declared was their favourite meat dish cooked in the Thermomix.  Might be of interest to you too, MJ.

Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: deedub on April 18, 2012, 08:21:34 am
My kitchen has never been so tidy, & this is despite doing more baking in the last 4 months than I'd done in my whole life! It's the beauty of not needing measuring cups etc, doing everything in one bowl, & having time to put ingredients away & wipe down benches instead of standing over the stove stirring. To me, one of the major benefits of having a TMX
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: Halex on April 18, 2012, 08:52:00 am
Sorry I am still messy :o

H :)
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: dede on April 18, 2012, 09:42:36 am
Oh you should see my kitchen when I do a big cook up :)
I have ingredients and pans, trays, spoons, cooling racks, tea towels everywhere. Although I think it's better since TM arrived. But I do clean it all up :)
Not like the kids :(
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: meganjane on April 18, 2012, 08:12:52 pm
Oh dede, when I do a big cook up, it looks as if a cyclone has been through my kitchen! But for a meal that is fully prepared and cooked in the TMX, there's very little mess.

Thanks cecilia, I'll check the Thermomix page
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: dede on April 18, 2012, 09:10:23 pm
Lol. Maybe we need to start a new thread called
How Messy is your kitchen (with photos)
;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: fundj&e on April 18, 2012, 09:11:20 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: goldfish on April 18, 2012, 09:12:42 pm
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: goldfish on April 18, 2012, 09:46:46 pm
The other day, Thermomix selected "Chicken alla Cacciatore" as recipe of the day and it generated some very open discussion on the Thermomix in Australia Facebook page.  I found it very interesting to see what people declared was their favourite meat dish cooked in the Thermomix.  Might be of interest to you too, MJ.



Maybe we should start an "official" thread on this subject!! ;)  It seems that there are a few tricks we need to learn to get the most out of some meat dishes.  I've had no problems with dishes like the Beef & Guinness and the Silverside in the Varoma - but those dishes are a different kettle of fish ;)  (I'm still wary of eating red meat but the family enjoy these).

  Thanks Cecilia - just had a look at that FB page and the comments were indeed very interesting - in particular those of Fiona Hoskins who suggested:

(MODERATORS: if I'm out of line requoting like this, please delete! Thx!)

"I found it all depends on the cut of meat. If it's blade steak or a cheaper cut then give it a few really good whacks with a meat mallet to break up the sinews and then cook - it'll be nice and tender. Whatever you do - don't give up on meat dishes in the Thermomix. There are some great recipes out there and they are so tasty and easy!"''

I'm also wondering if partially freezing meat or chicken strips or cubes would help with mincing in the TMX
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: obbie on April 23, 2012, 06:12:36 am
I still have mess, but not as much now.

Robyn
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: ElleG on April 23, 2012, 07:00:49 am
I wash and wipe up as I go- but mainly because I have practically no bench space and use the hot plates as a bench top. It's tiny!
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: judydawn on April 23, 2012, 07:28:45 am
Quote
I'm also wondering if partially freezing meat or chicken strips or cubes would help with mincing in the TMX

GF, it is recommended to partially freeze meat or chicken before mincing in 250g lots. It makes for a much chunkier mince.  I did some this morning following Dani Lavent's method in her spaghetti bolognaise sauce.  A mixture of pork fillet and rump steak - 250g lots cut into 2cm dice and frozen for 45 minutes.  Mince 2 sec/speed 7, set aside and do the next lot.  It was perfectly minced.
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: meganjane on April 23, 2012, 01:02:17 pm
With beef, I cut the meat into strips, about 3cm long. Every beef dish I've had in the TMX so far has been excellent. (though, often instead of salt, I use Tenina's Umami Paste)
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: goldfish on April 23, 2012, 11:29:38 pm
Quote
I'm also wondering if partially freezing meat or chicken strips or cubes would help with mincing in the TMX

GF, it is recommended to partially freeze meat or chicken before mincing in 250g lots. It makes for a much chunkier mince.  I did some this morning following Dani Lavent's method in her spaghetti bolognaise sauce.  A mixture of pork fillet and rump steak - 250g lots cut into 2cm dice and frozen for 45 minutes.  Mince 2 sec/speed 7, set aside and do the next lot.  It was perfectly minced.

Many thanks JD - have made a note of that . !
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: Merlin on May 06, 2012, 09:03:36 am
I'm still very messy, but with a TM cooking the time that I would otherwise normally be stirring etc I use as "down-time" to clean up ie wipe bench tops and put away ingredients etc.
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: Frozzie on May 06, 2012, 09:31:06 am
Im stil messy unless its a quick 100 percent thermie cooked dish and often inspread out from the kitchen to overtaking the dining table...just not enough space..
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: Brumington on May 06, 2012, 10:15:09 am
I have to tidy as I go cause I have two very 'helpful' little boys who like to stand on chairs watching me cook (please read sitting on bench tops/in sinks/stealing ingredients/picking up anything I have stupidly left lying around!).  ;D
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: JuliaBalbilla on May 06, 2012, 04:29:11 pm
I'm amazed at how few dishes there are when I use the bowl for the main, transfer to the Thermoserver, then cook veggies/pasta in both bowl and Varoma.

At what temperature does the Thermoserver keep the food, do you know MJ?  I see possible uses for a much under-used Hostess Trolley, which keeps food at 70 deg C ...

JB
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: DizzyGirl on May 07, 2012, 02:42:45 am
I used to have that problem too Brumington. Now DS waits for the spatula to lick clean. He hates the thermie for cake making as there are no beaters to lick too  ;)
Title: Re: Less Mess
Post by: meganjane on June 03, 2012, 01:48:36 pm
Julia, it keeps food at serving temperature for up to 2 hours, I'm told. I've only kept things hot for about 1/2 an hour, so I can't really say.