Disapointed with my Thermo

[Cornish Cream]

Don't give up warped, I'm sure with the forums help we can get you through this problem.

[CarolineW]

I agree with what everyone has said so far, so I won't add to it. (sorry I did add to it!)  Have you tried Baf's chicken dish?http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=1063.0
This is an all in one dish that your family may like. I've had my TMX for almost 2 years (wow we must have a party for him!) I still cook most of my main meat dishes out of the TMX. The family generally prefer this, but then I use the TMX for vegies, bread, biscuits, cakes, sweets, sauces, custards and of course all the chopping etc needed for the main meals.
eg if we're having a quiche I'll make the pastry in the TMX, chop and cook onion, bacon etc in the TMX, them combine the milk and eggs in the TMX before putting it into the pastry.
Keep trying and the best of luck.

Good that Cookie stepped in!  This is the recipe which I was trying to describe, but got the title hopelessly wrong 

[pinkscrapbooker]

My Mum says that the apricot chicken in the Oz recipe book is lovely, but I can't get the proper ingredients here.  That's another one to try.

If it is the apricot nectar that is the issue, I don't use it, as I have a pantry full of preserved apricots (like canned apricots). I use the syrup from them in the first part of the recipe, and then make up the weight with the fruit halves, works just as well and yes this is a yummy recipe. Sorry to hear that Wapred isn't happy, I say stick with it too!

[JulieO]

My Mum says that the apricot chicken in the Oz recipe book is lovely, but I can't get the proper ingredients here.  That's another one to try.

T

There is a recipe on this site for apricot nectar if that's any help.

http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=2310.0

[brazen20au]

yoohoo wapred, where are youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu??? 

[CarolineW]

Thanks both - yes, it's the nectar that's the issue.  I tried doing a substitute (I forget what I did) but it turned out far too sweet for us and I really didn't like it.  However, Mum isn't a sweet thing person either, and said that it isn't particularly sweet when she makes it.  So clearly it was my substitution that was the problem.

I'll get around to trying your suggestions, as she really does enthuse about this recipe. 

[Frozzie]

carolinew what about just natural apricot juice or a tin of apricots drained of the liquid/syrup and mixed up in the thermomix with maybe adding a little water if its too thick as a replacement??  we can get nectar in france so its funny you cant get it in the uk ..it is the uk right...forgive me if this is not at all what you were talking about as my brain doesnt seem to be functioning much these days being kept awake by my 2yo DD!

[zebraa]

I use pear juice as the apricot nectar in Aus is full of crud - sugar and stuff. Otherwise just use a can of apricots in natural juice. They both work well.

[wapred]

Well I wish I new you all in person you have been so inspiring and I have taken all your comments on board.  Thank you soo much    . 

I have this week made a huge effort.  I have done the meatballs and penne but with chicken which has turned out great, made Is's bread rolls another hit and also the chicken kievs which were very sucessful I must say. Did the mash but still came out quite lumpy, any suggestions? I have made my own savoury mince which was good as find the kids hard with the TMX.

I made the Nutella for the kids but used milk chocolate and only put half qty of cocoa powder and half of powered milk.  I must say this tasted like it had come from the supermarket shelf & the best ginger nuts ever yum yum.  Tomorrow I am going for the mongolian lamb.  I am also attempting my own vietnamese rolls so I will see how these go..

I think I am seriously waffling now, so sorry I could now type on here for ever.   

Thank you all 

[CreamPuff63]

ok, so you seem to be travelling alright and I would say you need to cook your potatoes more if they are lumpy and puree. don't try and 'tweak' recipes before you have tried them - you are only a newbie after all, and don't get hung up on being perfect cos no one ever is. follow the recipe and then tweak if its not to your liking.

[Meagan]

So glad to hear you are having successes. The potatoes may be in too bigger pieces. I know I cut them too big the first few times I did mash and they weren't cooked.

[judydawn]

Waffle on as much as you like wapred, it's wonderful to hear things are starting to go well for you now that you've decided to seriously give mains a go.  I dice my potato no more than 3cm, never any lumps ( I cook them in the basket).  Better to overcook than undercook them for success.  Nice to see you are tweaking recipes and creating others to suit what your family likes - no holding you back now.  This forum has done what it does best - inspire people.  Another happy customer 

[brazen20au]

glad things are improving!!

[ozrockit]

all sounds positive, a recipe we go back to regularly is the Beef strog EDC, we have tweaked it by leaving out the 100ml wine, using 800grms of meat (both to reduce the liquid to solid ratio) and adding a dash (20 - 40ml) brandy.. oh yeah I am going to make this tonight now.   

[cookie1]

Fantastic news wapred. Don't forget to let us know about your successes and failures.

Have a look at my holey cake here for an incredible failure. It tasted lovely though.
http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3779.0