Thermofest 2016 in Sydney

by | Mar 7, 2016 | Dinner, Lunch, Thermomix | 0 comments

Thermofest is a reward trip for Thermomix consultants that have been successful (In this case it was July – Nov 2015) I only just made it in to qualify on the last day of November! This year it was also a celebration of Thermomix in Australia’s 15th birthday! What better place to celebrate than Sydney!!

Day 1 Monday 7th March

Everyone arrives from their various states & even some people came from NZ. Our flight from Hobart was delayed so we were the last to arrive at 4.30pm. We were collected at the airport & driven to our Hotel – The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. We collected our goodie bags & checked into our rooms, with just enough time to get ready for our masquerade ball.

Saying Hi to Grace Mazur – Managing Director of Thermomix in Australia

Surprise – Dani Valent is here too!!

So excited to finally meet my bestie from the Marketing department -Krystle, she was also my personal photographer 🙂 I can’t wait to see the photos she took!

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All our 12 Tassie girls all wore the same mask a red one & we all wore black dresses. We were dropped off & had to walk towards the Opera House, where they had a marquee set up right on the water front in front of the Opera House. We were starving so luckily there was lots of food including my 2 favourites – the prawns & freshly shucked oysters – shucked right in front of you & you could choose if you wanted lemon or tabasco or natural YUM!! The even served Janz – Tasmanian sparkling wine so we were in heaven. I loved meeting new people & catching up with friends I had made on the Emerald Class Trip to Paris in September 2015. We also had entertainment, music & dancing!!

(Thanks to Sam for letting me share some of her photos in this post)

Day 2 – Full day seminar

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We got to find out about some new Thermomix news, including new products like the gorgeous Thermomix aprons we are modeling – available in May for Mother’s Day. There was Thermomix branded Lindt chocolate too! We all got a copy of Dr Igor Tabrizian’s new book Staying Healthy. We had David Koch do a mentoring session & The Futurist, Rose Herceg – so insightful, thought provoking & inspirational!

But my favourite parts were the cooking segments from top Chef Mark Best with Dani Valent who was announcing the launch of her new cooking video site Dani Valent Cooking – I have signed up already but it is due to be launched in May – So exciting!! Mark Best’s orange ice cream with orange sherbet recipe will be on the recipe community soon.

Donato Toce from Gelato Messina did a presentation & cooking demo for us too, it’s great to see how passionate he is about creating the best quality & everything made from scratch, we all got to try one of his creations too – So awesome!! I love hearing how chefs use the Thermomix & being inspired to try new things. Gelato Messina also run cooking classes using the Thermomix – I would so love to go to one of those.

Then there were awards & recognition, so many high achievers in the room & they certainly deserved to be thanked for all their hard work & effort.

Harbour Dinner Cruise – Nautical theme, I instantly thought Pirate because I love pirates & Johnny Depp (I was born on his birthday!) And I think because everyone was dressed up we had even more fun with some crazy dance moves coming out!! Belinda even did the splits!!

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Day 3: We had a free day due to having to cancel a breakfast event, so after 3 of us missing the Manly ferry we decided to go to Watsons Bay for a relaxing lunch. Another Ferry ride out to the Star Casino to sample some Gelato Messina, and stop into Zumbo’s.

Sam, Arwen & Rebecca we found our letters!!

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Then it was the Gala Dinner!! Some ladies had spent all day getting their hair & make up done!!

It started with a laser show, there was a photo booth but every time we got close to the start of the line we had to go back in for more presentations & awards. When we finally got to go into the booth – they were having technical difficulties so we had to take our own photo!! We had a yummy 3 course sit down dinner but due to the lighting you couldn’t get any good food pictures! The top awards for all of Australia were presented – congrats to everyone’s massive achievements! Then it was time for one last night of dancing, we had Frankie J Holden & Kate Ceberano to entertain us & then our awesome DJ & singer from the cruise again.

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What a fantastic Thermofest, so great to meet so many inspiring consultants, group leaders, managers & special guests, to reconnect with friends & have a great time. I’m so grateful to have been on board for this Thermofest. Thank you Thermomix in Australia for organising this awesome event! I wonder where the next Thermofest will be??

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside My Pantry

by | Feb 7, 2016 | Foodie Adventures, Lunch | 0 comments

So what do you have in your pantry? That is kind of a personal question; well I am quite happy of what is in my pantry, because I make almost everything from scratch using my Thermomix. I am also lucky enough to be a member of a food co-op, most of the food we source is organic too. I always need to have lots of ingredients ready to go for recipe testing & cooking up a storm at the last minute!!

THE LIST

Vinegars: Balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, rice wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, malt vinegar.

Oils: Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, macadamia oil, avocado oil, truffle oil, grapeseed oil, sesame oil, tallow.

Sauces: Soy sauce, fish sauce (my favourite brand is Red Boat), pomegranate molasses, tamari, mirin.

Waters: Rose water, orange blossom water.

Dry ingredients: Raw sugar, white sugar, coconut sugar, rapadura sugar, brown sugar, shredded coconut, coconut flour, sesame seeds, black sesame seeds, pepitas, sunflower seeds, linseeds, chia seeds, raw buckwheat, brown rice, aborio rice, sushi rice, basmati rice, dried porcini, baker’s flour, self-raising flour, raw cacao powder, dark chocolate, white chocolate, psyllium husks, sultanas, currants, dates, dried figs, oats, golden syrup, maple syrup, rice paper rolls, nori sheets, honey, baking powder, cream of tartar, bi-carb soda, red lentils, chickpeas, white beans, milk powder, gelatine, gelatine sheets, dry yeast, spelt grains.

Nuts: raw almonds, raw cashews, raw hazelnuts, raw walnuts, raw macadamia nuts, raw pine nuts (I actually store my nuts in the fridge)

Staples: red onions, brown onions, fresh garlic, fresh ginger, fresh turmeric, fresh chilli (the last 3 I store in the freezer in case of emergency)

Spices & herbs: I like to mill as many of my own spices as I can so I keep, coriander seeds, cumin seeds & cinnamon sticks whole & mill them in 250g lots as I use these all the time in my cooking. Whole nutmeg, fennel seeds, truffle salt, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, smoked chipotle, chilli powder, cayenne pepper, dried whole chillies, chilli flakes, turmeric, ginger, cardamom pods, cardamom seeds, star anise, Schwan pepper, native pepper berries, black pepper, saffron, Chinese 5 spice, dried thyme, dried basil leaves, dried oregano, Himalayan rock salt, vanilla beans, wasabi, dried rosebuds, homemade dukkah, dulse (seaweed) flakes, Tasman sea salt flakes (for textured salt for food styling & photography)

Fresh herbs growing in the garden: mint, parsley, rosemary, lemon thyme, oregano, kaffir lime leaves, bay leaves.

Tins & jars: Tomatoes, tomato paste, pole caught tuna in water or olive oil, sardines, anchovies, white beans, chickpeas, homemade jams & relish, vegemite.

Other fresh ingredients I always have in the fridge – eggs, milk, cream, butter & cheeses, veggie stock paste.

Coffee beans & an assortment of teas (I will leave that list for another post).

I just love a pull out panrty!

I just love a pull out panrty!

 

Pantry level 2

 

These ingredients are some of the best I can’t live without, extra virgin olive oil, Tasman sea salt, eggs & my pink chook filled with my salt mix made in the Thermomix – pink Himalayan rock salt & dulse flakes.

Thermomix Blackberry Chutney

by | Feb 3, 2016 | Arwen's Thermomix Recipes, Thermomix, Thermomix Recipes | 0 comments

Freshly picked blackberries from next door made into a delicious chutney to go with cheese.

Arwen’s Thermo Pics | Hobart Thermomix Consultant - Blackberry Chutney

Blackberry Chutney

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Blackberry Chutney
Author: 
Recipe type: Chutney
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 2 medium jars
 
Ingredients
  • 60g Fresh Ginger (or to taste)
  • 150g Red Onions, peeled & chopped in half
  • 500g Fresh Blackberries
  • 150g Sugar
  • 150g Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Place ginger slices into the TM bowl & chop for 5 secs speed 7, scrape down & repeat if needed.
  2. Add onion & chop for 5 secs speed 5.
  3. Add remaining ingredients & cook for 30 mins 100 degrees, reverse, soft speed with the simmering basket on top of the lid instead of the MC.
  4. You may like to cook for a bit longer, the chutney is still a bit runny.
  5. Pour into sterilized jars & open after about a week or more.

 

Thermie Green Quiche

by | Feb 1, 2016 | Arwen's Thermomix Recipes, Thermomix, Thermomix Recipes | 0 comments

This is the first recipe I posted on the Thermomix recipe community & I started with a Thermie Green theme, all my recipes were the colour green!! I love this recipe because it is so quick & easy. And we normally have a lot of silver beet in the garden to use up. My mum used to make a version of this recipe when I was little, she made it with a wholemeal pastry though & steamed the silver beet first. Oh & my first Thermomix you tube video is of me making this recipe – it’s a bit embarrassing!

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Arwen’s Thermo Pics | Hobart Thermomix Consultant |THERMIE GREEN QUICHE

Thermie Green Quiche

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Thermie Green Quiche
Author: 
Recipe type: Savoury baking
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 8 slices
 
Ingredients
  • 150g spinach leaves, fresh or 1 bunch of
  • silverbeet
  • 50g parmesan cheese
  • 250g cream cheese
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 clove garlic
  • to taste salt & pepper
  • 1 sprig dill, fresh optional
  • olive oil to grease quiche dish
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 180 degrees (for fan forced) - 200 degrees.
  2. Place Parmesan cheese into TM bowl process for 5 seconds on speed 10. Set cheese aside.
  3. Add garlic clove process for 3 seconds on speed 7.
  4. Add spinach leaves or silverbeet leaves, cream cheese, eggs, salt & pepper & dill (if using) process for 5 seconds on speed 7. You may need to scape down the sides of the bowl & repeat.
  5. Pour mixture into greased quiche dish.
  6. Sprinkle with reserved parmesan cheese.
  7. Bake for 20 - 25 until lightly brown on top.
  8. You can always put this mix on top of your favourite pastry or mountain bread - it also is a great filling for mini quiche.

 

Sarah’s Thermomix Cheese Biscuits

by | Dec 31, 2015 | Arwen's Thermomix Recipes, Thermomix, Thermomix Recipes | 0 comments

These are perfect to have in the fridge or freezer ready to slice & bake when unexpected guests arrive – like this New Years Eve!!

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Sarah's Cheese Biscuits
Author: 
 
Or Biscuite' Fromage Perfect for unexpected guests Great to serve with drinks & nibbles
Ingredients
  • 125g cheddar cheese cubed
  • 60g parmesan cheese cubed
  • 250g plain flour
  • 2 tbs self raising flour
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 125g cold butter cubed
  • 1 tbs lemon juice
  • black sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
  1. Place both cheeses into the TM bowl & chop for 5 secs on speed 9.
  2. Add the flours, cayenne pepper & butter & chop for another 5 secs speed 9.
  3. Add lemon juice & mix for another 10 secs speed 4.
  4. Roll into a long log shape approx 38cm long & wrap with glad wrap - place in the fridge for at least 3 hrs (or in the freezer if using in further down the track.)
  5. Heat the oven to 180 degrees. Slice off rounds about 5mm thick & place onto baking paper (sprinkle seeds on top if using), bake for 15 mins or until lightly brown.

 

Charlie’s Paneer Curry

by | Dec 30, 2015 | Arwen's Thermomix Recipes, Thermomix Recipes | 0 comments

 

Arwen’s Thermo Pics | Hobart Thermomix Consultant | Paneer Curry

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Paneer & Vegetable Curry
Author: 
Recipe type: Curry
Cuisine: Indian
 
Ingredients
  • 2 litres milk
  • 3 tbs apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp chilli powder (or 1 fresh chilli)
  • 1 tbs cumin seeds
  • 1 tbs coriander seeds
  • 1 ts ground ginger (or fresh ginger)
  • ½ tsp turmeric (or fresh turmeric)
  • 3 cardamon pods
  • ½ cinnamon quill
  • 6 whole black peppercorns
  • 1 tbs flour
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 onion cut in half
  • 20g olive oil
  • 400g canned tomatoes
  • 40g pitted dates (optional)
  • 1 tbs of TMX veggie stock paste
  • 400g sweet potato cut into 3cm cubes
  • 500g mix of other green vegetables in season - zucchini, beans, peas, broccoli or cauliflower.
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 3 tbs fresh coriander chopped to garnish
  • 2 tbs fresh mint leaves chopped to garnish
Instructions
  1. Heat milk for 20 mins/90 degrees/speed 2.
  2. Add the vinegar & stir for 1 min/speed 2.
  3. Place a nut milk bag into the simmering basket into a clean sink or container and pour in the contents of the TM bowl to drain the curds from the whey.
  4. Rinse the ball off whey in the nut milk bag under some fresh water.
  5. Place this ball still in the bag & simmering basket into a container into the fridge with a weight on top to allow all the excess liquid to drain out. making sure the drained liquid will not be in contact with the whey. It is best to do this over night or for a few hours.
  6. You can then cut your paneer into pieces ready to use in the curry recipe.
  7. Place all the dry spices & plain flour into the bowl & dry roast 3 mins/Varoma/speed 1.
  8. Allow to cool for about 5mins & then mill for 1 min/speed 9.
  9. Add garlic, onion (& any optional fresh spices) chop for 3 secs/speed 7.
  10. Add oil & saute' 3 mins/Varoma/speed 1.
  11. Add tomatoes, dates, sweet potato, salt & pepper (& cauliflower if using) cook for 3 mins/100 degrees/reverse/soft speed.
  12. Add remaining veggies & cook for 15 mins/100 degrees/soft speed.
  13. Gently fold in the paneer & garnish with fresh coriander & mint.
  14. Serve with steamed rice, freshly made rotis & apricot chutney.

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