A strong selling point to the Thermomix is that it saves you money in the long run. To me, this is only one benefit on a long list, however it is a valid one…. if you are using your Thermomix wisely! To help you realise some of the financial benefits of your investment, I have put together my list of the recipes you should be making:
Thermomix Yoghurt
Making 1L of organic yoghurt costs me no more than $3.50, yet to buy that would cost me nearly $10. If your family loves their yoghurt, those savings really add up over time! If you prefer the flavoured varieties, simply stir through a fruit puree or sweetener of choice to your finished yoghurt. A berry jam made in the Thermomix can be double-purposed as a delicious yoghurt flavouring.
My classic yoghurt recipe can be found in Quick Fix in the Thermomix, my super-thick yoghurt in Thermo Cooker Fresh Favourites and my coconut yoghurt in Everyday Thermo Cooking.
Thermomix Icing sugar
Did you know that icing sugar and caster sugar are simply milled versions of white sugar? Yet they are always more expensive! Keep white sugar in the pantry and mill 2 seconds, speed 10 when needing caster sugar and 1-3 minutes, speed 10 when needing icing sugar (for icing and cake decorating you will need the full 3 minutes).
Thermomix Quince paste
Who doesn’t love a chunk of quince paste atop a rich slice of cheese? On average you would pay $7 for 100g, whereas you could buy a whole kilo of fresh quinces for less! All you need then is sugar and lemon juice. Quinces are now in season so take your opportunity. Make a couple of batches and store in the fridge – it will last the entire year (if it doesn’t all get eaten first!).
My recipe for quince paste can be found in Quick Fix in the Thermomix. I’ve also got a delicious apple and pear paste in Quick Fix Every Occasion and a pear paste in Thermo Cooker Fresh Favourites.
Thermomix Sourdough
A quality loaf of sourdough can cost anywhere between $5 and $10 to buy, although would cost you only $1 to make (well, to make my copy version!). I don’t keep sourdough starters myself, but I do much prefer the chewy, airy, sourness that is characteristic of sourdough bread. That’s where my cheat’s sourdough recipe comes in – I achieve a very similar result to authentic sourdough, but without the need for a starter culture. In fact, you’ve probably got all the ingredients in the pantry already!
This recipe can be found in my cookbook Quick Fix Every Occasion, but for all the insider tips and tricks, you can watch me make it on YouTube. My Lazy Breakfast Loaf is also a big hit, you can watch it below!
Thermomix Condiments
These are your everyday flavour-makers – dressings, relishes, chutneys, jams, curds, sauces and mayonnaises. It is a shame that these are all so easy to make (especially with a Thermomix), yet are often overlooked by the home cook. Make a big batch and they will last you for months in the fridge without any additional effort (the mayo will only last 5 days unfortunately). You can make nearly 2L for around the same price you could buy a good quality 250ml jar – serious savings to be had! And no nasty additives and preservatives.
Try my green tomato chutney while the last of the green tomatoes are still available, my tomato kasoundi for some spicy heat or my very decadent rose petal jam.
Thermomix flours and meals
Alternative flours and meals are becoming really popular for baking these days – both for the health benefits but also due to the proliferation of people sensitive to gluten. A really popular choice in almond meal, which is simply ground up whole almonds. It often costs much more than an equal weight in almonds, and will become rancid very quickly once the oil in the nuts is oxidized during the processing. Milling nuts, seeds or grains (rice, quinoa, oats etc) fresh whenever you need a meal or flour will not only save you money, but also give you a much healthier product! Mill for 30 seconds, speed 10, or until flour is achieved (will vary for different nuts, seeds and grains).
Tip: Wanting your almond meal to be as white and fluffy as the one in the supermarket? Use blanched almonds instead of raw kernels.
Looking for some almond meal recipe inspiration? Try my cinnamon banana muffins from miniseries: super healthy for a healthy afternoon treat.
Want to experiment with using freshly milled rice flour rather than plain flour (keeping your recipe gluten free)? Try my salmon patties from Quick Fix in the Thermomix. A delicious option for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Thermomix nut and seed milks
Nut milks are also gaining in popularity as an alternative to cow and soy milk. At nearly $10 a litre for fresh almond milk, the expense certainly adds up. Using my recipe in miniseries: super healthy, I can make nearly 2 litres of fresh almond milk for less than $7. And I can also make sure there are no nasty additives! I also love making my own chia milk from chia seeds, which is even cheaper than almond milk (and easier!). Recipe also in miniseries: super healthy. If you’re looking for macadamia milk, check out Everyday Thermo Cooking.
Of course, there are many more recipes that will save you significant money in the long run! I haven’t included a discussion of any of the finished/final meals that you will be making in your Thermomix such as dips, custards, ice cream, cakes, biscuits, juices, smoothies, pizza, noodles and curry, because these will always be significantly cheaper to make yourself then buy (and if they aren’t cheaper then you have to question what’s in them and the ethics behind the production).
“Remember, the best way for your Thermomix to save you money is simply to use it (often!). ”
Browse my blog for heaps of free recipes, buy my cookbooks or attend one of our Thermomix cooking classes – we promise to inspire you to use your machine more!
