Cheddar Potato waffles

YOU WILL NEED (TO MAKE ENOUGH FOR 10 waffles):

1. To make the mashed potatoes
- 500g of potatoes peeled and cut into pieces
- 350g of milk
- One teaspoon of salt
- 15g butter

2. To make the waffles
- One finely chopped onion
- Chives or spring onions
- One cup of grated cheddar
- 1/2 cup flour
- One teaspoon baking powder
- Two eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
- Salt and pepper

1. To make the mashed potatoes - add the butterfly to your Thermomix and add the chopped potatoes, milk and salt and cook for 25min, temperature 100 on speed 3. Then add the butter and mix (without the butterfly when using the mashed potatoes to make the waffles) for 30sec on speed 4.
2. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and once brown whip together with the eggs and the milk. 
3. Mix the wet ingredients (3/4 of the mixture) into the mashed potatoes.
4. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper and then slowly blend into the mashed potato mix. Don't overmix just blend in the flour.
5. Heat the waffle maker and put a bit of butter on the griddle. Drop one large tablespoon of mix into each side and cook until golden.
6. Place the waffles one a resting grill and once ready to eat add some grated cheddar on each waffle and place under the grill (230C) for about 1min.
7. Serve with either bacon, tomato and cucumber salad, sour cream and chive dip and/or with a fried or poached egg.

This is a Thermomix recipe. However, you can do this recipe without using the Thermomix.

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* All pictures were taken with the Olympus Pen E-PL7

Thermomix - Ultimate Cooking Robot

I have had my Thermomix for just under 6 months and I can easily say it has become part of my every day routines making soups, drinks, ice cream and sorbet, dough, meatballs.... I have also become one of those crazy people raving about something - in this case the Thermomix - at every diner party and really, any occasion I have.

It became obvious that everyday cooking tasks where made easier with Thermomix - think sauces, soups, dips, bread, meats... It has also allowed me to cook more often (because there is just so much less hassle and it is just so quick and easy) and to create fresh, healthy, home-cooked meals whenever I want.

Thermomix is extremely accurate in both time and temperature settings allowing you to get the  job done with very little effort giving you time to focus on other things. Thermomix truly removes the hassle from food preparation and lets you enjoy the fun part of cooking. 

Cleaning the Thermomix is not a hassle - actually it does clean itself (which in itself is pretty impressive if you ask me) but somehow I am still a bit 'old school' and prefer to wash it by hand or just pop it in the dishwasher. Also, it doesn't take up too much space, the only thing that is big and not that easy to store is the Veroma. But let's face it, the Thermomix is in fact replacing about a dozen other kitchen aids, so you won't hear me complaining about space. 

All this being said, if the Thermomix is super easy to use, it does however take a lot of time and testing to be fully comfortable with using it comfortably and creatively. For those of you who like making it up as they go, you will find you have to test and try things out a couple of times with the Thermomix. After 6 months, I started being truly comfortable with the Thermomix and I am now starting to understand the way it works and functions.

But there is little doubt; I cook more than I use to, I am starting to bake and cook things outside of my comfort zone and I am becoming a better cook.

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Chocolate chip cookies

You will need (to make enough for 14 large cookies):
- 125 g Butter
- 110 g white sugar
- 110 g brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla or 2x tsp of vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 260 g self-raising flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 150 g chocolate, chips (or white chocolate, dried cranberries...)

1. Place butter, sugars and vanilla in TM bowl.  Cream together for 1 minute on speed 3-4.  
2. Add your egg to the mix through mix on speed 3-4 for another 45 seconds.
3. Now add flour and salt, knead (the little wheat symbol). I added a 100 g and kneaded for 40 seconds, then added another 100 g and kneaded for another 40 seconds and then added the last 60 g and mixed for 30 seconds. Make sure you scrap the bowl with the spatula to get all teh flower mixed in well.
4. Add chocolate chips and mix them in with TM spatula.
5. For large cookies, drop tablespoons of mixture on trays, press down a little (leaving room for the cookies to grow - I tend to do 5 at a time). 
6. Bake your cookies at 180 for 13-15 minutes until lightly golden.

This is a Thermomix recipe. However, you can do this recipe without using the Thermomix.

Original recipe found here.

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* All pictures were taken with the Olympus Pen E-PL7

Cranberry yogurt

YOU WILL NEED (TO MAKE ENOUGH FOR TWO):
- One bramley apple - peeled and cut into chunks
- 150g fresh cranberries
- 150 g golden caster sugar
- Greek yogurt
- Granola and maple syrup for topings

This is a super easy recipe and makes for a delicious and healthy breakfast. I used ingredients I had left over from Christmas and New Year's eve. Your sauce can also be used to be served with different meats.

1. Add all the ingredients in a saucepan, squeeze the juice from half an orange (optional) and add a splash of water. Put the pan on the heat and bring to the boil. Simmer gently until the cranberries have burst and the apple has softened.
1 bis. For those of you using the Thermomix; simply place all ingredients into mixing bowl and cook for 8 min/100C/speed 2. Then chop for 10 sec/speed 6.
2. Boil down until the mixture thickens slightly, then take off the heat and leave to cool.
3. In individual little pots, add one 1/4 cup yogurt layer and layer with 1/4 cup cranberry sauce and repeat.
4. Heat some granola in a pan with a good drizzle of maple syrup until caramelised and add as toping.

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