Thermomix Menu Plans - 19th March

Well, this is my last week of menu planning before having a week off in HAWAII!!!! Yahoooo - can't wait!! (A little excited, can you tell?) Actually, I'll also be planning the meals for next week so everything's organized for the family for while I'm away. My hubby says he's happy to cook with the Thermomix, as long as I have all the ingredients and recipes ready to go... he can never find anything in the fridge or cupboard! (Men!) Last time I was away for a week, he went to the shop and bought every ingredient for each recipe, as he figured that was easier than finding it at home. Ha! Well, I must admit, my cupboard and fridge are rather crowded and messy most of the time - maybe I need to get them cleaned out before I leave too... Ugh. My un-favourite job. The freezer is desperately crying out for a clean too - and that is an urgent job, as I have bags and boxes from my bulk order covering my kitchen floor waiting to be sorted and placed in the freezer... So it looks like it's going to be a week of organizing and cleaning before I go. Ah well, my rest will be well-earned.

My kitchen at the moment - rather crowded with my bulk order

waiting to be sorted and put away!

If you are a follower of my Facebook page, you would've noticed that the past week was a big week for our bulk food co-op. We received our latest order, and it took us three days to sort it all out. It's so worth the work though (which is all volunteer) - we all pitch in and help, and the reward is organic food at much cheaper prices than you can get it any other way. We have a really big co-op, and I've been in it for about 11 years now - I'm not sure how long it's been going, but the lady who started it has done a great job, and we all really appreciate her hard work. It is a lot to organize when so many people are involved!

Here's a quick overview of how it works, for those who are interested...

First the order is picked up from the train station in Cairns by some of the guys in the co-op - a big job in itself, involving a couple of trailer loads of bulk food. (We order from Demeter in NSW and Fitness Products in Brisbane, and the orders come up by rail.)

Next we unload the trailers and check everything off against the invoice to make sure it's all there. (Thankfully, they've started packing stuff in 12.5kg bags instead of 25kg bags - I used to be sore for days after lugging those bags!!)

As we check it, it slowly gets sorted into sections so we know where to find everything. Outside in the garage we sort the big bags and boxes of grains, flours, rice, seeds, boxes of dried fruit, nuts, boxes of pasta, etc...

Inside we sort all the smaller stuff - oils, pasta sauces, tins, bottles, jars, small packets of pasta and dried fruit, juice concentrates, almond milk, tea, coffee, etc.

Here's the pasta being sorted - so many different kinds! They're in sections - wheat, wholewheat, spelt, kamut, rye, gluten free.

The next day, we start bright and early with as many people as can come, and divide up the orders into smaller groups - a group for each area. There's someone in charge of each group, and they check off the list as they sort their group order, making sure everything is there. Then we double check each other's orders. (I didn't get any photos of this part of the process - we were too busy!)

Next the small group orders are packed into cars, utes, trailers and vans, and taken away to the home of the person in charge of that group to finish sorting. My van is packed to overflowing with goodies, so I drive home carefully!!

At home the kids get involved, unpacking the car, helping to sort everything into sections, and just generally getting in the way helping out. Ha! Then each person in my small group comes to pick up their order, paying for it by direct deposit into the main account.

All done for another few months. Well, except for our other co-op order which is on it's way too... nuts and things from Trumps! Better go get my freezer cleaned out...

[Note: If you'd like more info on how a bulk food co-op works, or how to start one, read this article: Bulk Food Buying and Co-ops]

So now there's so many goodies to cook with, I'm dying to get started! This morning I got up bright and early and made an old-fashioned chicken, vege and brown rice soup for breakfast (it's so wet and miserable here - definitely soup weather), so I'll have plenty of energy to do all that cleaning. THEN I can start cooking...

So here's my basic menu plan for the week - of course, there'll be lots of other cooking going on too. Come and link up your menu plans, it's great to see what others are having, and share ideas. If you need help with menu planning, read How to Menu Plan. If you would like to link up your plan to this blog post, read Thermomix Menu Plans, and don't forget to leave a comment below so I notice you've linked up! Thanks, and have a great week.

Oh, by the way - be prepared for lots of photos of Hawaii... they'll be popping up on my blog and Facebook page within the next week, and also on the official Thermofest Facebook page! Looking forward to meeting some of you there :) (WOO HOO!!!)

Mexican black bean and chorizo soup - mmmm...

Monday:

Mexican black bean and chorizo sausage soup & leafy green salad (I love this soup - it's a great meal to pop in the slow cooker for a busy day. Or you can make a smaller batch in the Thermomix.)

Tuesday:

Fish mornay with white sweet potato mash topping & leafy green salad

Wednesday:

Steak, salads and baked sweet potato

Thursday:

Chicken & cashews with coconut quinoa & cashew satay sauce

Friday:

I'm off to Hawaii!! Time for daddy to take over the cooking...

Family will be having Chilli con Carne (from the EDC) with salad & corn chips

Saturday:

Thermomix fried rice

Sunday:

Lunch with G'ma

Link up your menu below!

Brown Rice Mushroom Risotto with Macadamia Cheese

Risotto is a family favourite around here, perfect for that quick meal when you can't be bothered cooking. (At least, it is when you have a Thermomix.) But too much white rice is not a good thing, so I decided to try making a brown rice risotto the other day. It was delicious - nutty, full of flavour, and very filling. My family aren't usually all that keen on brown rice, but they gobbled this up and asked for seconds! It takes a fair bit longer than regular risotto, but that's not really a big deal when your Thermomix is doing all the stirring and cooking for you... you can just put your feet up and relax until it calls you for dinner.

I love to serve this macadamia nut 'cheese' with this risotto - it makes all the difference! The risotto becomes creamy and nutty and 'cheesey' - it's a perfect match for the brown rice. Even if you usually enjoy parmesan on your risotto, try this and see what you think. You can also bake some pumpkin pieces and raw baby spinach to stir through once it's cooked for extra flavour. Enjoy!

1. Chop in Thermomix for 3-5 seconds on speed 5:

- 1/2 a brown onion

- 2 cloves of garlic

2. Add ghee or oil and cook at 100 degrees for 3 minutes, speed 1:

- 30g ghee or extra virgin olive oil

3. Add the remaining ingredients and cook at 100 degrees for 50 minutes, reverse, speed 1 1/2:

- 200g sliced mushrooms (a mixture is nice)

- 350g brown rice

- 2 Tblspns vegetable stock paste

- 1100g water

... and a dash of truffle oil if you have some!

4. Pour the risotto into your Thermoserver, stir through a couple of handfuls of baby spinach, and place the lid on to finish it off to a perfect consistency. Then rinse the bowl to make the macadamia 'cheese'.

Macadamia Cheese (inspired by this recipe)

Mix all ingredients in Thermomix on speed 6 for a few seconds, just until a crumbly consistency is reached. Don't overprocess, or you'll have cream cheese!

- 1 cup of raw macadamias

- 1 Tblspn lemon juice

- 2 Tblspns savoury yeast flakes

- 1 tsp onion powder

- 1/2 tsp sea salt

To serve the risotto, stir through a couple of handfuls of the macadamia cheese, then sprinkle some on top of each individual serving. You can also stir through some small pieces of baked pumpkin, or serve alongside.

Note: If you're in a hurry and can't be bothered nicely slicing the mushrooms, just chuck them in after you saute the onion and give them a quick chop on speed 3-4, just for a few seconds. That's what I did with the risotto in the photo. ;)

Thermomix Menu Plans - 12th March

It's exciting to see so many people interested in getting back to basics with their food, cooking with fresh ingredients, reducing packaging, buying bulk - I love it! Over on my Quirky Cooking Facebook Page we've been talking bulk food co-ops. There are a couple of new food co-ops starting up in Perth, one SOR (named after me! The Quirky Co-op - woo hoo!!), one or two NOR, and I know there's a lot more around Australia too. Are you in one? I save so much money by buying my grains, seeds, flours, nuts, dried fruit, oils, veges and fruit from food co-ops! I've been buying food this way for nearly 11 years now. We couldn't afford to eat the way we do otherwise. You can actually go on this website, Local Harvest, and find out if there's anything in your area. Or if you're in one that's not on the map, you can add yours! Here's some more information for those who don't know where to start with buying in bulk and storing bulk foods: Bulk Food Buying & Co-ops & Storage Tips for Bulk Buying.

Another great topic being discussed on my Facebook page today is healthy lunch and snack ideas for kids, that are nut free so they're suitable for school lunches. Check out all the ideas - they're great!

I have some sad news this week. Our quirky bird, Amigo, has moved back to his original owners, as they have returned from a year overseas. We're really going to miss him. He has so much character! So I just had to post one more photo of Amigo having his morning fruit smoothie - he was crazy for them...

I hope you've had some great Thermomix successes this week in your kitchen! Feel free to come and share your food photos on my Facebook page, or on the official Thermomix Facebook Page - we love being inspired by each other! Here's some things that have been cooking in my kitchen the past week...

Chocolate truffles - dairy free, sweetened with xylitol

This is the mixture, which had to set overnight... so delicious! I'm afraid I've only made a few truffles so far and they all got eaten, but I'll try and finish tomorrow and post a photo... and the recipe will be up on the blog soon! Just in time for Easter...

Raw Cocoa Butter for making dairy free white chocolate!

Mmmm... unfortunately, my first try at making a dairy free white chocolate sweetened with xylitol was unsuccessful, but I'm getting some expert advice, and will be back soon, so watch this space!! By the way, if you're looking for a dark chocolate recipe, here's my 'Almost Raw' Chocolate recipe.

Gluten free, dairy free, ham & egg pizza

Made with this pizza base recipe, homegrown ham, and eggs whisked up and poured over the top before baking. Simple, and the kids loved it.

Garlic Quinoa with sun-dried tomatoes and kalamata olives

This is what my 14 yr old daughter made herself for breakfast the other day because she didn't want whatever we were having. Love it! Quinoa is so easy to cook in the Thermomix, and so good for you.

So what's on your menu this week? Do you need help planning your menu? Here's some ideas and tips for getting started with Menu Planning. And if you have blogged your menu plan, please link up below, as we'd all love to see what's cooking at your house this week. :) (Instructions for linking to Thermomix Menu Plans) Here's our menu - have a great week!

Brown rice mushroom risotto with macadamia cheese

Monday:
Warm chicken, pumpkin & quinoa salad (leftover from demo training) & brown rice mushroom risotto (recipe being blogged tomorrow!)

Tuesday:
Beef stroganoff with lightly steamed cabbage 'noodles' (stroganoff in EDC, but made with my dairy free sour cream - extra sour cream, stock & water, cooked for 25 mins at Varoma temp, with broccoli & cabbage cooked on top in Varoma for a short time til warm.)

Wednesday:
Sesame salmon & vegetables with creamy tikka sauce & coconut quinoa (a quick, easy & delicious all-in-one meal, great for nights when you don't feel like cooking...) with raw baby spinach

Thursday:
Vegetarian shepherd's pie with cauliflower mash on top (sorry, no recipe to link to here, going to make it up as I go along - I'll let you know how it goes!)

Friday:
Healthy fried fish strips (similar to this recipe) with raw vege sticks and homemade herb & garlic mayonnaise

Saturday:
Sweet potato & turkey mince sausage bake (made this up a couple of weeks ago and loved it - will try and blog the recipe soon!)

Sunday:
Huevos rancheros (eggs poached in a salsa sauce) with quinoa & chia seed flatbread & a leafy green salad

Thermomix Menu Plans - 5th February

Hi everyone! I know, I'm shockingly late with my weekly menu plan, I haven't gotten any recipes blogged in the past week, and I totally don't deserve to host Thermomix Menu Plans! But please forgive me, I'll try to do better - things have just been a little crazy around here! (Yep, that's my boys on the roof... just part of a science experiement involving explosions, shooting corks and things landing on roofs... or is it rooves? Never can figure that one out.)

Anyway, here's some things I've made in the past week...

Salmon & Brown Rice Casserole

(recipe makes two for our family, so one is in the freezer

for this week - yay!)

Sue-Ellen's Singapore Noodles

(a family favourite - made with mung bean vermicelli - quick & easy!)

Spicy Fish Curry

(based on this recipe, but with the fish & cabbage strips
steaming above in the varoma, and homemade tikka paste
instead of curry powder)

Paleo pizza bases, made with coconut flour

(although I did prefer the almond flour recipe)

(topped with tuna/salmon, baby spinach, avocado,

kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes & macadamia cheese)

And last but not least, my Pièce de résistance...

Banana & coconut flour friands!

(Isn't it pretty?)

I've only this week started using coconut flour. I've been meaning to try it for ages, but it's not for sale through the bulk food co-ops I buy through so I'd never gotten around to buying any. (Can hardly bear to buy things in small packets at big prices!) But since we've cut down so much on grains lately, I thought it was time to give it a try. And I'm so glad I did! It makes really light, yet moist, cakes - and you really don't need much flour because it expands in the liquids. You do need a lot of eggs though, which isn't a problem for me, but may be for some of you. It's very good for you - high fibre, healthy fats which are not damaged by heat, and great for people that are gluten free or nut free.

If you'd like to try coconut flour out, I recommend this recipe by Sarah (aka 'The Clever Cook'), which is the one I used. Although I did tweak it a little (as I do)...

 - for the sweetener, I used 1/2 teaspoon of green stevia powder plus 1 Tablespoon of raw honey;

 - for the milk, coconut milk;

 - for the oil, macadamia oil.

And the one in the photo above doesn't have blueberries in it - I made some with and some without. (Okay, I admit it, the ones with blueberries kind of got stuck in the pan, so I didn't take a photo of them. :) Next time, I would pop the blueberries on top so they would only sink a little, not stir them into the batter, as they just sink to the bottom of the pan.)

So anyway, best be getting my menu planned and posted so I can get to bed!

Here's my plan for this week - I'd love it if you'd share yours too, by linking below with the Mr Linky widget - How to and the whys and wherefores explained.

Raw walnut & mushroom pasta on zucchini 'noodles'
(see menu plan below)

Monday:

Paleo (coconut flour) pizzas (tmx) with tuna-salad toppings

Tuesday:

Sweet potato-turkey sausage (homemade in tmx) bake with leafy green salad

Wednesday:

Salmon-Rice Casserole & leafy green salad

Thursday:

Turkey mince & vege bolognese sauce on steamed cabbage 'noodles'

(bolognese sauce cooking in tmx bowl, 'noodles' steaming on top)

Friday:

Fish strips & Tex Mex Raw Corn Salad

(fish coated in rice flour and shallow fried in a little coconut oil & ghee)

Saturday:

Raw zucchini-walnut 'pasta' (grain free , raw zucchini 'noodles'), baked sweet potatoes, raw leafy greens

Sunday:

Baked honey-mustard chicken & leafy green salad

There'll be plenty of baking and lunches and breakfasts too, but I don't have time to work them out right now, so keep an eye on my Facebook and Twitter updates for ideas for those. :)

Have a great week,

Jo xx