Vegetable Stock Concentrate (thermomix)

Recipe from Every Day Cookbook

Ingredient

200g celery, chopped into thirds - keep leaves on
2 carrots, roughly chopped

1 onion, peeled halved
1 tomato, halved
1 large zucchini, roughly chopped
1 handful fresh mushrooms
1 clove garlic
1 bay leaf
1 bunch parsley, fresh
few leaves basil,fresh
few leaves sage, fresh
1 sprig rosemary
200g grams rock salt
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Method

1. Place all the vegetables and chop 10 sec/speed 6
2. Add salt and oil and cook for 20 min/Varoma/speed 1
3. Pulverise for 1 min speed 9.

Store in jar in fridge
1 tblsp = 1 stock cube

Hidden Veggie Bolognese (Thermomix)

When Ellen was first on solids she didn't tolerate tomato.  I started making spaghetti bolognese with a veggie puree instead of tomato sauce.  She can eat tomato now so I have added that to the mix.  I now use this bolognese to get my children to eat veges that they otherwise would not touch.  Don't get me wrong - I think it is very important that children learn to love veges in their own right.  I continue to cook and serve them regularly but more often than not they end up in the bin.  At least I know that some are getting in with this recipe. As my kids are getting older and more adventurous I am slowly increasing the size and texture of the veggies in this sauce.

This is a staple in our house.  I freeze batches in small containers with enough to feed the two kids.  That way it can easily be reheated and on the table in under 10mins.

Ingredients

2 sticks celery washed
2 carrots peeled
1 cup pumpkin peeled
1 zucchini
1 capsicum, washed and seeds removed
any other veggies you feel like adding on the day!
400g tinned tomato
140g tomato paste (optional)
1-2 tblsp veg stock concentrate (depending on how salty you like it)
1 MC water

2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 brown onion, peeled and quartered
30g olive oil

500g beef mince

Method

1. Fill bowl with roughly chopped vegetables and chop 20sec/Speed 4 (less for chunkier veggies, more for a smoother sauce).
2. Add tomatos,  stock concentrate and water then cook 15min/100C/speed 1
3. Pour into thermoserver (or other bowl) and set aside
4. Add garlic and onion (no need to wash bowl) and chop 3sec/speed 7, scrape bowl and repeat.
5. Add olive oil and cook 5min/100c/speed1
6. Add mince and cook 12mins/varoma/reverse soft speed
7. Return vegetable sauce to bowl and cook 20min/100C/reverse soft speed.  Leave MC on angle to let steam out  (Place a piece of kitchen paper on top to reduce splattering)

Serve with cooked pasta

Variations

You can basically put any vegetable you like in this one.  I usually add the broccoli and cauliflower stalks, and any other veges I need to use up.  Add kale or spinach for some extra goodness.

For something different serve mixed with cous cous, use to fill taco shells or use as a filling in meat pies

Basic Muffins

This is a very easy and versatile muffin mix that does not require a mixer and can be tweaked depending on your mood and what fruit is in season.  It is a great one for the kids to help you with.  I usually make it with sliced rhubarb (no need to precook) or frozen berries (no need to thaw).  I have also substituted flour with spelt flour or wholemeal flour, and sugar with rapadura.  These will achieve a different texture.

Ingredients

220g Plain Flour
100g Sugar
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp No Egg (Orgran)
2/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
2/3 Cup Oatmilk**
Cup of fruit (eg frozen berries, sliced rhubarb, poached apple)

** any milk can be used (eg Almond, Rice, Soy, Dairy)

Directions

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl

Whisk milk and oil, then add to dry ingredients and stir to combine

Stir through fruit

Line muffin tray with patty pans, or grease

Spoon mixture to fill to 2/3

Bake for 20-25mins (or until an inserted skewer comes out clean)