My new favourite- Dulce de Leche

Dulce de Leche is a popular decadent sweet caramel type sauce in Thermo world at the moment.
It used to be the boil in the can caramel made from sweetened condensed milk and boiled for a couple of hours on the stove.  If I hear about something  three times I tend to investigate it  (works for holiday destinations!)

Pronounce it  DULS SAY DE LETCHAY in any kind of Spanish, Portuguese, French or Latin American accent that takes your fancy.

 If I hear about something three times I tend to investigate

With a Thermomix you can whip it up in 50 minutes  and its ready to pour quite neatly into a couple of jars for use with a spoon (if you know what I mean.) Anyhow the Thermo does all the work for you - reducing, browning and caramelising in its set and forget type of way. (You do need to put the steaming basket on top  to stop the splashes while it mixes away). 1 Litre of milk, the two sugars, cream and bicarb made two jars of this delectable sauce. 

I tried the recipe from the ForumThermomix.com Dulche de Leche

What can you use it for???

Whip this  up when you don't want to just take chocolates

If you don't eat it all off the spoon you could try...

• caramel sauce in cakes, biscuits or waffles, 
• filling for small caramel tarts
• sauce over or through icecream 
• spread it over pancakes or on your morning toast 

Do you  think it could go well inside a muffin?

I quickly whipped up a jar last night to take to a friend's place as a "thankyou " when you are told not to bring a thing.

While a bit of fancy ribbon and cellophane would have dressed it up - my host's not the eat it off the spoon type of girl so I made some shortbread tart cases and some shortbread bikkies to go with it.  Yummmm.

If you are dairy free you don't miss out . Quirky Jo told us about her version  Quirky Jo's Dairy Free Dulce De Leche

Hope you enjoy your new treat - get practising DULS SAY DE LETCHAY,
DULS SAY DE LETCHAY, DULS SAY DE LETCHAY
cheers Robyn

Thermomix baby rusks

My daughter is just up to the baby food/ teething stage with little Oliver (or Lollie or Ovilla) depending the language development of the cousins.
She's really happy with these rusks found on the recipe community which cooked in 30 minutes Baby Rice Rusks

After grinding the rice for 30 seconds , add in a banana and form into shapes

Make up your own shapes and a couple extra for the preschooler

and I think they are a hit with little Ollie too

If you are just cooking for one- freeze a few 

 Happy chewing darling from  (Thermo) Nanny

Quirky Jo comes to town

Today the Illawarra was graced with a visit from Quirky Jo Whitton of Thermomix Quirky Cooking fame. She's a Thermomix consultant, blogger and cookbook writer. One of the originals who inspired us through her blog and then met our needs with a very comprehensive bible of healthy eating and Thermomix recipes.

Her  recipes are largely aimed at allergy free cooking but appeal to those interested in healthier cooking options and getting more from your Thermomix experience. If you are gluten, egg, nut or dairy  free or vegetarian this is the go to book.

220  keen Thermomixers packed into Thirroul Community Centre to hear more and sample a few of the recipes.

Jo on the left being thanked for coming to the Gong

The Beetroot Ciabatta topped with Macadamia Pesto was delicious and I'll definitely be trying Jo's suggestion of Caramelised Onion and Olive Bread. One little tip she gave us was to cook bread on a pizza stone and to place  a tray of water in the oven to steam while the bread was cooking. (Maybe adjust the cooking time and heat if too hot)

During the two hour seminar Jo took us through the making of spreadable butters, sweet and savoury nut butters, coconut cream, Flourless Chocolate Coconut Cream Cake with marbled ganache, breakfast smoothies and others.  I get the impression this lady will do anything for Chocolate provided its made with "the good stuff".

A few audience recommendations for savoury meals were to try the Grain Free Lasagne, Nasi Goreng, Coconut Satay, Lamb Hot Pot, and the Beef Stroganoff, Jo herself loves Whole Chinese Chop Chicken with Chili Ginger sauce, Vietnamese Fish Curry with Sticky Rice.

When I first  received the book as a birthday gift I was overwhelmed but Superkylz took me through a few recipes and now my favourites are Spicy BBQ Chicken all in one meal  and Huevos rancheros (ranch style eggs).

She's so confident now she made Chili Chocolate Black Bean Mole for Easter dinner and a chocolate flavoured dip and egg free mud cake for dessert  inspired by Jo.

Black Bean Chili Chocolate Mole

Jo's demo today reacquainted me with the features of her book- meal plans. substitution lists and other tips and of course the variety of recipesto suit all needs. I'm a member of her very supportive facebook group Quirky Cooking Chat Group and you can sign up at her blog for her newsletter.

I need to write a TO DO list! I'm inspired.

Please note I attended today at my own expense and with my own book, my consultant and a few of her clients.  
Cheers Robyn