Egg Whites

[RM]

Being new at the TM I decided to make the Easy Chocolate Mousse out of the Everyday cooking for every family.  I followed the recipe as per the book but found when I did the egg whites with the Butterfly for 4 minutes on speed 4 they did not fluff up.  I repeated it with new egg whites in case I did do something wrong but the same thing happened.  Any suggestions?

[judydawn]

Beating egg whites can be tricky TM.  I have never done that recipe but know ILB has done the one in the My Way of Cooking successfully.  That says to add butterfly into a perfectly clean bowl with a pinch of salt with 4 whites and beat for 5 mins/speed 3 until stiff.  I use the heat method which is 50^o when beating whites for other things but have not tried this recipe either. They say you cannot have any trace of grease in the bowl or on the butterfly so it really needs to be as clean as a whistle for this process.

[RM]

Thanks Judy, I do not think I wil get rid of the mixmaster just yet until I have mastered these tricky things.

[judydawn]

Many don't bother using the TMX for their egg whites RM so I would definitely keep the mixmaster - mine has been put in the bottom of the linen press just in case it is needed.

[faffa_70]

RM I wash my bowl and then rinse it with hot water and vinegar - give it a good swirl on speed 7 or 8 and then on turbo to clean the lid (just like a self clean) to ensure it is clean as we cook a lot with oil etc in our TMX. It is also good to heat while whipping on either 37 or 50 degrees (I only use 37 - others use 50. Personal choice I guess) and ALWAYS leave the MC out to allow the air into the whites. Hope these help you too 

[KylieJade]

Not sure if you'dd seen this RM -
http://www.thermomix-recipes.com/2010/10/whipped-egg-whites-thermomix-how-to.html

[judydawn]

Thanks for that link KJ - had a bit of a browse whilst there and there are some great ice-cream recipes there to try when it gets warm again.

[dede]

Also when beating egg whites make sure there is no trace of yolk in the whites as this will stop them from going stiff as well.