Hello from North Qld

[I Love Bimby!]

Hello and welcome, Bel! I'm guessing from the lack of questions that North Qld is in Australia?

Correct MrSpock 
You're right onto us Aussies 

[mama_bel]

Thanks, yes I'm in north-eastern Australia.

Maybe it will make enough rice!  But I might be wanting to make another dish in there instead of having the rice basket taking up space too.  I will let you all know how we go.  We almost always make extra rice anyway, for lunches and the like.

I was looking at the cookbooks (Everyday and Vegetarian) last night and it's so exciting!

Yesterday (Day 1) I made porridge twice (early risers and sleepy-in kids), then rhubarb jam (using another jam recipe in the book), then cauliflower soup (with some broccoli added to make up the 800g), then I minced some tumeric from the garden...  And then I was out, but rushed in and made custard (doubled the recipe and added a touch more cornflour).

Today there's pumpkin soup and mushroom risotto on my list so far - things we eat often made the "old" way!

Thanks for the warm welcomes!

[Thermomixer]

, then I minced some tumeric from the garden... 

Now that is impressive - growing your own turmeric!  DO you mince up large amounts at a time to keep on hand in the fridge?  Are you using it for health reasons?

[marmee]

   Heh you   

Lovely to be lovin and learnin together      - even if you ARE one step ahead of me and actually have the Thermomix! 

[mama_bel]

Hello Marmee!  We'll talk you round yet! 

Tumeric, ginger, etc grow easily here in Qld.

It's harvest time, so I minced some to freeze it.  I am going to try to dry and grind some too.  It's really yellow and stains things of course, so was extra careful with the Tumeric!  I kept some minced in a jar in the fridge and will use this week.

No, not necessarily for health reasons, though that's a bonus!  It's very good for all sorts of things and useful in cooking and as a tea as well.  I like the flavour, though not so much the colour.  I like fresh ginger too.

Does anyone grow/use Queensland arrowroot?  I have that to harvest and use next and I've not grown it before.

[marmee]

ohhh - I USE arrowroot in cooking a fair bit for DD - infact, the dairy and egg free custard my consultant helped me to make yesterday used arrowroot      Not growing it, though, and not in QLD   

[Thermomixer]

In Vietnam, I saw fresh arrowroot being used to make noodles.  It was a bit of a job, but probably you could cook up the chopped bulb with water and then spread out in sheets on trays and slice like rice noodles.  You would need to play with amounts - I don't have a recipe but can look.

They are also used in dishes in a similar way to water chestnuts for crunch/texture.

[mama_bel]

Marmee, I think I need to boil, dry and grind to get the stuff you use in cooking.  Maybe one day.

Ditto the noodles!

I think I'll just try it as a stirfry veg and google other simple uses.  It's certainly prolific!  There are different varieties too.