ankita, Author at One Girl and her Thermie

Do you need to upgrade your Thermomix?

Following the big surprise announcement last week about the Thermomix TM6, we as Advisors are equally excited, surprised and shocked. I was at a Team Leader Leadership conference having training on the usual look after your team, why getting together is important, let’s learn skills (that I already have…). It was a pretty routine meet-up; good food, great catching up with colleagues around the UK and some official stuff thrown in. When we reached dinner time, we were all tired and hungry wanting to wind down and relax. My colleagues and I had no idea, that we were about to experience the global launch of the Thermomix TM6. So when it happened, we were in shock.

The Thermomix TM5 is the 5th generation of Thermomix and it was launched on 5th September 2014, 10 years after the Thermomix TM31 which was launched in 2004. We were all expecting a new model, of course, we were, but circa 2024; not on 8th March 2019, just four and a half years later.

Since I was introduced to Thermomix 10 years ago, is there a ’next model is coming’ has been a constant question, as it has been for the past 10, 20, 30 or 40 years they have been produced. Why? It’s true, that’s why!

Vorwerk and Thermomix is an innovative company, from the day a model is released, they are constantly working on tweaks, adjustments, and new functions. Fact. They often make these along the way too, so a TM ordered in January may be ever so slightly different to the one you order in February. Fact. That is what makes Thermomix so good and stands miles apart from copycats and other appliances in the first place! Fact.

So, back to the dilemma at hand, what to do? To upgrade or not? For those who have been following my journey, I was a TM31 customer first. I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread which is why I jumped on the bandwagon and became an Advisor. I couldn’t understand how Vorwerk could ever improve it. Until they did with the Thermomix TM5. Had I not been an Advisor, an upgrade wouldn’t have been necessary as I was perfectly happy with my current model.

In fact, as I then had two Thermomix TM31s and TM5, for the first 6 months, my TM5 was used as a demonstration model and my TM31 on my kitchen counter. It was what came first and what I was most comfortable with. Over time that changed, the more I used my new Thermomix TM5, the more I fell in love with its improvements. I expect the same will happen with Thermomix TM6, when I do receive it in June 2019. The only difference now is I have 3 TM5s, 1 TM31 and will have a TM6 too. I probably need to give some away before my husband divorces me for having too many Thermomixes.

Am I cross or upset about the new model? Shocked, initially (of course) but not cross. I’ve had some time to think about it. This is much like when Apple launched the iPhone X. Was this a new snazzier model with more bells and whistles? Yes. Did it make the 6/7/8 any less good? No! The X had more bells and whistles and a price point that came with that. I have an iPhone 8, only because my contract was up and I switched to a new provider. It is still great, has a brilliant camera and does all the things I need. New models and technology improvements happen all the time. It’s the way of the world and at some point, I will upgrade. I am still happy that I bought my iPhone 8 and got all that use out of the clever camera modes etc. before the new one was launched.

Has the Thermomix benefitted me? Of course, it has. I can cook healthy, nutritious meals for my children and family, in a super quick time. I use it every single day. That is not going to change, no matter how many new models come out over its lifetime, it has been a game-changer in our home. It not only met my needs, but it also surpassed my expectations and I, like almost every owner I know, love it more and more the more we use it. We realise it does far more than we ever thought and the more you learn about it the more you integrate it into your everyday cooking!

You can see from the previous pages that I’ve summarised the new functions and compared the models. The new Thermomix TM6 is great and does have improved and new modes which are exciting. However, many of the functions are the same as the TM5. Do I really need it? No. However, as an Advisor & Team Leader in the UK, I am required to have the latest model we are providing to customers to demonstrate to people and continue being able to share my passion about what Thermomix can do for everyone, young and old, families big and small.

I’m currently in an incentive to ‘earn’ one which is a wonderful opportunity. For customers who bought recently, Vorwerk UK has a really fair plan for customers. We are being advised to ask our customer base to call in and speak to them directly. So far the feedback has been really positive which I’m pleased about.

And for those who haven’t jumped on the Thermomix bandwagon, you are in a unique position to have a choice. We have never had two options available. For the next 3 months, you can either choose to buy the current Thermomix TM5 at a discount of £100 at £949 for the Connected version or pre-order the new Thermomix at £1099. I feel only die-hard fans will take the pre-order option as they have had TM21, TM31, and TM5 before and just want the new one. For anyone new to Thermomix TM5, the Thermomix TM5 is still our hero.

Happy Thermomixing, whatever model you have to play with!

Update: September 2019

I eat my words. It is better. I’ve had a TM6 since 22nd May 2019 and it is better. I love the bigger screen. Cookidoo being integrated just works. No more having to synchronise. No more faff of forgetting to take my Cook Key with me to friend’s house or for a demonstration. The new functions, like high temperatures, has blown me away. Yes, I have made the peanut brittle and fudge using the sugar stages but it’s the sauteeing that has me convinced. I’m loving the sizzle when caramelising onions and cooking stir-fries. I could never achieve this before in my TM31 or TM5. So for that alone. Would I upgrade? Hell yes.

Garlic & Ginger Paste

Tikka paste

1 Comment / Basics, Vegan & Vegetarian

This really easy homemade Tikka Paste is great to have handy in the fridge, ready for your next impromptu curry night.

A selection of Indian spices, fresh garlic, fresh ginger, garlic cloves, tomato puree, olive oil, and fresh coriander. Pop all the ingredients into the Thermomix and blend into a paste. The important part here that Thermomix can do that a normal blender can’t is the cooking part. The beauty of it is that once made you can stick the jars in the fridge and use as and when desired. It will keep for up to 3 months.

I like to marinade chicken pieces and then turn this into butter chicken, I slather it on salmon and steam it, or simply such as to any meat, fish or veggies plus a can of coconut milk for a quick curry.

Homemade Tomato Ketchup

2 Comments / Basics

Everyone loves ketchup, Heinz Ketchup in particular. But it’s loaded with so much sugar that making your own homemade ketchup has to be a better alternative.

There are many recipes for homemade tomato ketchup but I find this one the best. I love it because you sweeten the tomatoes not with oodles of sugar but with ripe plums.

It certainly passes the ‘Stopa kids’ taste test but I have to warn you, I do have to put it in a glass jar labeled Heinz. Yes, my son will consume it happily from any bottle or jar but my daughter, who is all about branding and awareness these days, won’t eat it if she doesn’t think it’s Heinz. She hasn’t quite worked out that the colour, consistency or taste is completely different than Heinz nevertheless as many parents do, I just deal with it. My favourite trick your child story recently is where one parent called pea and mint soup, ‘Incredible Hulk Soup’. The changing of the name made all the difference to the willingness of the children to consume it. So in my case, I haven’t changed the name just the delivery receptacle. I’ll do anything to make them eat healthier.

Because as Malcolm Gladwell once explained, Heinz doesn’t just taste good, or even great. It tastes objectively perfect: When Heinz moved to ripe tomatoes and increased the percentage of tomato solids, he made ketchup, first and foremost, a potent source of umami. (19 Aug 2014)

Credit: This recipe is from the TM31 Fast & Easy. Now long out of stock but still one of my favourite Thermomix books

Chocolate Swiss Roll

2 Comments / Baking (Sweet), Snacks

I love chocolate. Anything chocolate. One of my favourite things about Christmas was that since I hate mince pies, Christmas pudding, and cake, my mum would buy me a Chocolate Swiss Roll instead. I have to admit I grew up on Cadbury’s or supermarket ones, the Waitrose or Marks & Spencer deluxe versions, but it’s only recently that I discovered how easy it is to make a Swiss roll.

This easy chocolate Swiss roll recipe is a classic! A Swiss roll is a very impressive cake and looks quite difficult to make, which is why people often shy away from baking them. A homemade Swiss roll is so much nicer than shop bought and they are much easier to make than you might think. This chocolate Swiss roll has a vanilla buttercream with yoghurt filling, which is full of flavour and a little easier on the calories. The vanilla and chocolate work extremely well together.

This Swiss roll cake could be served as a delicious dessert recipe topped with lashings of cream. This chocolate Swiss roll recipe takes 50 mins to make and bake and serves 4-6 people. This chocolate Swiss roll recipe is perfect if you want to bake something a little different, it’s great for sharing with a cuppa or can be smothered in custard or served with ice cream for dessert.

Courgette Soup

2 Comments / Soups, Vegan & Vegetarian

This courgette soup recipes are perfect for packed lunches and light suppers. Take your glut of courgettes and turn it into a healthy, tasty and filling soup, made so easily in the Thermomix.

I love courgettes, I really do. One of my first memories of being able to cook was a courgette side dish, onions, tomatoes, garlic and courgettes sauteed in a little oil (or butter). Simple, so simple that I could enjoy it as a side dish, served on toast or just for the midnight munchies. So when I had kids and realised not everyone loves courgettes as much as me, I needed to be creative, creative enough that they would still eat courgettes but in a way they could consume it; courgette soup.

What I love about this soup is how thick and creamy it is, even before you add cream. The courgettes blend together to make the soup smooth and silky in texture. Therefore, if you want to make this soup dairy free you can easily skip the cream altogether and replace the butter with some olive oil. You can make the dish vegan, by using olive oil and no cream.

Courgettes are rich in minerals and vitamins that include potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and vitamin C. Its peel (which is blitzed into the soup) is a good source of dietary fibre which will help if your little one is suffering from constipation.

Thermomix Gift Registry

Avocado pancakes

Leave a Comment / Baking (Savoury), Breakfast & Brunch, Vegan & Vegetarian

I was out the other day and ate brunch at Andina last weekend in Shoreditch. The Peruvian cuisine is very hipster chick at the moment and whilst my husband and I could have devoured the entire menu, the only thing that caught my kid’s’ eye was avocado pancakes.

I couldn’t be happier as avocado is something I struggle to get them to eat – they won’t it in salads, run from guacamole so I need to sneak it into things. The only thing they haven’t noticed is Thermomix Frozen Fruit Sorbet so anything that gets them to eat avocados is a good thing in my life.

If you love avocado as much as I do, the thought of avocado pancakes will make you very happy. The super creamy ingredient makes the batter nice and soft with a light, fresh flavour. The beauty is that they look exactly like regular pancakes but we know it’s the healthier version.

The recipe is easy peasy, it just needs someone to be a little bit adventurous and try it. Perfect for upcoming Shrove Tuesday as an alternative to the standard pancake batter recipe.

Serve with a poached egg or crispy bacon for a luxury weekend treat and you’ll never look back! If you’re really, really short on time you can make these up ahead of when you need them. Whip up the batter, cook the pancakes and leave them covered in the fridge until you’re ready to eat them. Then all they’ll need is a couple of minutes in a hot pan to warm through!

Matcha Smoothie Bowl

Leave a Comment / Breakfast & Brunch, Dairy, Snacks, Vegan & Vegetarian

Matcha Smoothie Bowl is perfect to make for a quick nutritious snack or in my case, these days, breakfast. Packed with superfoods like fresh strawberries, bananas, spinach and topped with shredded coconut, cacao nibs, and chia seeds this matcha (green tea) smoothie bowl is light, fresh and delicious.

Unlike smoothies which are normally ‘drunk’ or slurped in my case, every time I make a smoothie bowl, I feel like I’m eating a meal. The fact that I eat it with a spoon makes me feel pretty full. And I also eat is slowly, unlike a smoothie, which is gone in a minute.

Smoothie bowls aren’t new to anyone, but I felt like they needed more admiration. And to be honest, I don’t make them as often as I’d like. This smoothie bowl only takes a few minutes to make and will be nice for a healthy fancy breakfast.

Breakfast on the go in one minute. This breakfast is super start to your “five a day” with this superfood and an antioxidant-loaded bowl of goodness. The creaminess of the yoghurt with the frozen banana turns this protein- and fibre-rich breakfast into a soft-serve-like treat. Add the goodness and earthy flavor of the matcha powder (holds 137 more antioxidants than brewed green tea), the contrasting textures of the fresh berries, seeds and nuts and you will feel ready to tackle whatever the day ahead throws your way.