The summer is the time when the expectation is to spend time on holiday and with your family, and it gets inevitably busy! You also quite often end up having a house full which you have to feed. And goodness, children – whatever age – can certainly eat you out of house and home can’t they!
If you’re busy, maximise your Thermomix use and make the cooking at least easier, and remember that on Cookidoo you can plan your meals in advance and compile your shopping list too.
A little announcement from the world of Thermomix: there is a new accessory now available. The Nester is an 8-cavity silicone mould that’s perfect for everything from poached eggs and mini frittatas to muffins and lava cakes. Heat resistant, freezer friendly and dishwasher safe, it’s a brilliant little kitchen accessory.
Shop Smarter with Your Thermomix
When we think about using our Thermomix, it’s usually for meals. But some of the biggest savings come from replacing the everyday extras we regularly buy.
Seasonings, sauces, spreads, stock paste and even ice lollies are all quick and easy to make at home. You don’t have to make everything from scratch – just swap one or two regular favourites and you could spend less, reduce packaging and enjoy fresher ingredients too.
- Start with the things you buy most often. If your family gets through a jar of chocolate spread every week or you’re forever buying ketchup or BBQ sauce, those are great places to begin.
- Swap one shop-bought product at a time. You don’t need to make everything from scratch. Replacing just one or two regular purchases can soon add up over the course of a year.
- Keep cupboard staples on hand. Stock paste, taco seasoning and curry pastes can all be made in advance, ready whenever you need them.
- Think beyond the supermarket shelves. Homemade versions often contain fewer additives and less packaging, and you know exactly what’s gone into them.
- Make treats feel like treats. Ice lollies, chocolate spread and other favourites don’t have to be expensive. Homemade versions are often just as delicious and can cost a fraction of the price.
Featured Recipes
Who Needs Brands Anyway?
I’ve taken inspiration this month from the Watermelon Ice Lollies that someone in my community recently made. They worked out that these cost as little as 20p each! A total bargain when a quick Google suggests individual branded versions sell for around £1.40–£1.60 each. Not to mention how fresh, fruity and delicious they are.
If you can recreate this refreshing summer treat, what else could you be making instead of buying? Quite a lot, as it turns out! You’ll find all of these recipes on Cookidoo, Thermomix’s recipe platform, and I think they could just revolutionise your shopping habits.
A favourite with kids and adults: Chocolate Hazelnut Spread! Breakfast or as an anytime snack, you won’t mind replenishing this when you’re making it yourself. You can also make nut butters too, so you can whip up a batch of Peanut Butter as an alternative, and Strawberry Jam for your PB & J.
There is plenty of variety on shop shelves of seasoning packs, and one example that you can replicate is Taco Seasoning. Cheaper to make than buy, and you can always rustle it up if you need a quick meal idea. I find that my shop-bought favourite is often out of stock, so over time I’ve tweaked recipes and it’s my “secret recipe”. Remember that you can customise your favourite Cookidoo recipes in your account.
When many of us are having BBQs, you may have found yourself stocking up on sauces regularly. Don’t worry, I think there’s a sauce for anyone: Tomato Ketchup, BBQ Sauce, Brown Sauce and Mayonnaise. You’ll never need to rely on the sauce companies again.
Beef Stock Paste is a staple for cooking, and another example of where you don’t need to buy this from a supermarket. Just as much flavour, if not more.
I couldn’t not talk about curry paste here. They are so versatile, and I’m sure a lot of you will have a (shop-bought) jar in your cupboards. Add vegetables and meat and – voila! – you have a meal. But what if you made your own, and reached for that jar instead? Tandoori Paste, Tikka Paste or even an Everyday Indian Curry Paste could all be in reach, and the perfect ‘heat’ for you. If you’d rather have a dry spice than paste, the Curry Powder Mix could be for you.
What do you fancy trying first?
Why not pop into the Facebook Community and share what well-known goods you’ve been replicating!