Homemade pantry staples using the Thermomix

Now, who does not want to eat healthier ? However, it is increasingly getting harder to eat healthily because there are many stealth bad-for-health ingredients in the food we eat. We take for granted with food labels but really, labels do not necessarily tell us everything. Preservatives and flavour additives are either masked in terms we are not familiar with or not listed due to lack of regulations.  A look at ingredient lists on labels may indicate a long list of alarming Exx, Exx items, which appears completely like chemical concoctions; or appear strangely short and simple. As consumers, we need to shop smarter or try to gain some control over the food we consume.

I choose to control what we eat rather, researching and using brands that are true to their value proposition of being chemical-free. For our loved ones, nothing beats real home cooked meal.  Meaning, we do not use short-cuts with ready-made convenience food such as seasoning packs, stocks, sauces etc.  Is it possible not to use ready-made food ?  

I've learnt to maximise my Thermomix to do everything possible. Soup stock pastes in bulk; sauces; spreads; and of course our daily bread.  The quest to DIY our own pantry staples started with an innocent question, "Mummy, we are out of peanut butter -  can you make some with the Thermomix ?". And, there we go.  There no more turning back after the first homemade peanut butter.. next I made our chicken stock, our own 'nutella spread'... it's very satisfying to see your loved ones lapping up everything you cook :-)

It takes 10 minutes during dinner for our family to discuss what we should make with the Thermomix everyday, and 1 hour of our time every night to cook together as a family.  It is a really good bonding time for the family with this appliance, that has claimed centrepiece in our dining area.  Since it's kids friendly and kids safe -  the appliance will not operate as long as the lid is not shut tightly - our kids have been reading the recipes and operating the appliance on their own. 

Peanut Butter Recipe

Ingredients

• 500g toasted peanuts
• 40g sugar (less or substitute with honey)
• 20g cooking oil
• 20g butter
• 1/2 tsp salt

Directions

1. Place nuts into TM bowl to grind (20sec, Speed 0-7)
2. Scrape down the sides and grind once more (10sec, Speed 0-7)
3. Add in remaining ingredients to blend (30sec, Speed 0-8)
4. Repeat until desired texture
5. Fill into clear and sterilised jars and set aside to cool (keeps up to a month in the fridge)

Chicken Stock Paste Recipe

Ingredients 

• 300g skinless chicken meat cut into pieces
• 200g mixed vegetables
• Herbs 
• 120g sea salt
• 100g white wine
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 clove
• 5 coriander seeds

Directions

1. Place chicken, vegetables & herbs into TM bowl to blend (10sec, Speed 7)
2. Add salt, wine, bay leaf, clove and coriander to cook (20min, Varoma, Speed 2)
3. Blend well transfer into an air-tight jar allow to cool (30sec, Speed 7)

Hazelnut Chocolate (DIY Nutella) Recipe

New! updated recipe 19 Nov 2017

Ingredients 

• 100g roasted and skinned hazelnuts 
• 50g sugar
• 100g milk
• 100g dark chocolate pieces
• 100g unsalted butter, cubed 
• 2 tbsp cocoa
• 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla pod

Directions

1. Place nuts and sugar into TM bowl and mill (10sec, Speed 10)
2. Add remaining ingredients and cook (8min, 60 degree celcius, Speed 3)
3. Fill into clear and sterilised jars and set aside to cool (keeps up to a month in the fridge)

More about our Thermomix adventures another day...