Not using Varoma?

[JenniCB]

Does anyone else find that they don't really use their Varoma much? I absolutely adore my Thermie and would definitely use it twice and quite often 3 times a day, but I have found that I don't use the Varoma much. In fact I have just put it away in a cupboard because I got tired of keep trying to find somewhere on the bench to put it whilst using the jug. I love steamed veggies and have given away my steamer thinking I'd use my Varoma instead. I think though that my style of cooking has changed since Thermie so I am no longer having any meat and veg type dishes where I'd need to use it. The only time I use it is when making mashed potatos to go with a beef strog. I do my potatos in the basket (divine...yum!!) and steam my veggies over the top. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the new meals I'm doing. Just feeling like there's a part of this very expensive machine that I'm not making use of. Is anyone else the same or is this a typical "newbie" type of thing? I haven't had a Varoma demo but have seen two different ones already that friends had before I was an owner. So I know how to use it.....just haven't found myself doing so.

[judydawn]

I didn't use mine at all to start with but now I do as much as possible in it.  I always start off with boiling water which makes steaming so quick and a lot of the one-pot meals don't have a lot of vegies in them so I always do extra stuff in the varoma.  If I am cooking rice or potatoes I will steam something on top just because it is on as I hate wasting steam  Excess steamed vegies in the fridge never go to waste. You can make a batch of cheese sauce and have vegies-au-gratin the next day which means half your meal is done in no time. They can be used in a frittata or just reheated to go with the next meal. I put my dinner plates on top of the varoma to warm them up whilst everything is cooking below. My varoma is kept in the cupboard underneath where my TMX sits along with my spare bowl and all accessories.  I just love my varoma.

[Meagan]

I love your gratin idea JD  I must try that as we are using the TM solely for rice cooking now. I thought it was easier to do the rice cooker and the TM at the same time but I am happier to just wash the basket and cook the rice first over cleaning the rice cooker bits lol

[Merlin]

JenniCB, you should do the Varoma demo if possible. It really opens up your mind to the capabilities of the Varoma. As judydawn said, there are countless ways to use the Varoma. Mine is kept in a cupboard as  well just to save bench space, but there are so many delicious meals to do in it and it is such a healthy way of cooking. Not only is it great for conventional steaming ie fish, vegetables etc, you can do steamed custards, puddings, meatballs, dumplings, you name it. I think most of us stay away from it in the beginning  as it appears to be a slightly scary piece of kit but once you experiment with it, it is really a fun way to cook.

[ThermomixBlogger]

This is a good topic JenniCB --

I like JudyDawn's ideas because I am also a "steam-waste-hater" , so thanks for those. The thought of attending a Varoma demo makes me drool with envy. (wish we had those here)

For those who can't get to the Varoma demo, there's always the eye-opening "Full Steam Ahead" Thermomix cookbook too.

Cheers,
H.

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

I didn't use my varoma for a long time after I bought my machine, but now I use it a couple of times each week.  I think I was a bit nervous and just needed to get in and give it a go.  I find that often the meals made using both the bowl and varoma are larger in quantity and are enough to feed my family for two nights.  I mainly use mine for steaming meat in the dish (meatballs, meatloaf, chicken/fish fillets or sausages) and sliced vegies in the tray. 

[Katya]

There was a discussion about using the Varoma a while ago and there may be something in there that could be helpful....

http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3029.0

[CreamPuff63]

I am going to try and see if I can get something from an Asian shop. I did ask a shop owner not so long ago as I spied some round dishes and asked her if she had any oval ones. She said she would have to look at her catalogue at home, so I am going to take my Varoma in to her shop and see if she can order something like this. one of the first dishes I would make would be Lemon Delicious, and then I would try something healthier after that. I am surprised that HO hasn't already sourced something along these lines.

[quirkycooking]

I don't know why, but for some reason my replies are not coming up on here... I wrote a big list of things I use my Varoma for this morning, and it's not here!  Annoying 

[Zan]

Jo same thing here. There was another forum crash and I am guessing the db reverted back a bit, I spent ages writing on a few threads and all gone. grrr.

[quirkycooking]

Well, last time I looked my post was back, but now it's gone again!!  Maybe they'll come back later, Zan!

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

I just read it and now it is gone.  Very strange. 

[KerrynN]

Before buying, I was concerned that I wouldn't get the same value from the TMX if I didn't use the Varoma, so I spent a bit of time researching the things I could do with it. So far I have used it to steam meatloaf (from the EDC), chicken and bacon roll (Meat on the Menu), vegies, salmon (forum recipe), prawn dim sum made in the TMX (from online recipe), sausages for curried sausages (Meat on the Menu) and more things that I can't remember now.

At the Varoma demo I attended they also made cous cous, individual lemon puddings, chicken and vegies. A friend has also made steamed bread which she and her children raved about.

So really I am surprised at how much I have used it actually. I expect to use it a lot more for fish too.

Oh and I keep mine hidden away in a cupboard too as it just gets in the way if I'm not actually using it.

Kerryn

[Zan]

Going to try replying again.
I use it a few times a week and funnily enough used it the first time I used the tmx (mashed potato and steamed veg to go with an already planned main).

So steam veg a couple of times a week. (though not always as I do still sometimes cook veg in the microwave if small amounts and don't have the tmx steaming as it's easier and less washing up. )
Chicken rolls (flattened chicken, wrapped around a filling, made into a roll in foil) once a week/fortnight - so many variations.
Fish or prawns (fish in foil with seasoning/sauce) once a week usually.
Sausage, mash, gravy and veg meal (we don't eat sausage much but it's a great easy meal)
I'm sure there are others, but that's still a few uses a week.

I think of it as just part of what the tmx does, so same as I don't grate cheese, or grind flours, or make custard every day it's a great additional function to the machine and one that I use quite often.