Newbie questions

[helbels]

Hi everyone

I am new here (first post), and have had my Thermomix for 5 days.   So far I have made:

- Soup (x 2 different kinds)
- Bread rolls
- Chorizo & Capsicum Risotto
- Smoothies
- Chili Con Carne (dinner tonight)

So far, I am loving it.  However I have a couple of newbie questions that I'm hoping you guys can help me with:

1) Are cooking times in the Thermomix from cold?  For instance, tonight my Chili needs to be cooked at 100 degrees for 15 mins... but obviously it will take about 5 of those 15 mins to get up to the temperature of 100.  I am assuming I just put it on for the specified time and don't worry about the heating up bit, but just wanted to check as I'm finding it a bit confusing.
 

2) The one thing that keeps catching me out at the moment is removing the lid, turning it upside down and having the MC skeeter all across the kitchen!!  I know this is just user error, but any tips on lid removal in general?  I'm finding that sometimes the lid has quite a lot of fluid/steam/splatter on it and at the moment I seem to either put it down on the worksurface and end up with fluid/steam/splatter everywhere, or try to turn the lid upside down to avoid this and then have the MC drop out and distribute it's contents all over the place!!! 

3) Are there any recommended Thermomix recipes for just one person?

Many thanks

Helen x

[judydawn]

Hi helbels, welcome to the forum.  It sounds like you are going great guns with your cooking in your first few days, good on you.

Yes, unless stated otherwise, all temperatures are from cold and time has been factored in for this.

When you remove the MC and lid, place the MC on the cupboard and then put the lid down on top of it, inside of lid facing upwards - it can't go anywhere then  Don't worry, I've had mine bouncing across my slate floor plenty of times but not since I do it the way I've just said.  If there is excess moisture in the lid, I hold it on an angle over the TM bowl and let some drip back into it.

We have some recipes on here for 2 serves, none I don't think for 1 serve.  Easy enough to half recipes for 4 to makes 2 serves, eat one and freeze the other for later.  

[helbels]

Thanks Judy - I am such a klutz with that lid, I've found that more difficult than anything else so far!!!  I will try your tip and see how I go.

[judydawn]

It the above doesn't work, just place it in the sink - no messy cupboards and the sink can handle it 

[Shayla]

When you put the MC in put it so that the solid piece is down unless you are using the butterfly, that way you never get moisture building up inside and make a habit of taking the MC in one hand then opening the lid and putting the MC on the lid. When you use it thatway you can also weigh extra small amounts inside the MC - ie cornflour during the cooking process. Hope this helps - mine never goes astray using this mehod.

[dede]

Welcome to the forum helbels, hopefully the other members have help answer your questions already.
Sounds like your enjoying your new TM