ideas for my first use of the varoma

[quirkycooking]

Thanks CC and Cuilidh and Salval! 
Have you decided on anything GC? I'd suggest the Chicken & Cashews too - easy peasy, makes heaps, and hopefully they'll like it too!! 

[GoneCrazY]

Thanks CC and Cuilidh and Salval! 
Have you decided on anything GC? I'd suggest the Chicken & Cashews too - easy peasy, makes heaps, and hopefully they'll like it too!! 

yep think i'll do that

do u think the recipe on your blog will serve 5 (plus lockie )

[faffa_70]

GC it served all 7 of mine (3 of them are teen boys) so I think you should be ok  Just make sure you fill up the varoma with the veg.

[GoneCrazY]

GC it served all 7 of mine (3 of them are teen boys) so I think you should be ok  Just make sure you fill up the varoma with the veg.

kool thanx ..

[Renlor]

I have only made one or two all in one dishes...the most recent was Quirky Jo's non fried rice with marinated chicken through it.  It was yummo!  It was the first time that I'd ever done an omelette in the varoma on wet baking paper....that was awesome

Looking forward to trying loads more...next one will most likely be the chicken and cashews that everyone raves about!

Cheers,

Renae

[Renlor]

Oh....back to the varoma bit (got too excited about the non fried rice lol)....I use mine CONSTANTLY as a good old vegie steamer, I normally load up the basket with potatoes for mash and then fill the varoma with whatever vegies I want.  Another varoma success was the varoma bread recipe in the My Way of Cooking cookbook.  Looks weird being white when it's finished cooking, but is YUMMY...especially as toasted bruschetta 

[Twitterpated]

It's surprising how many are scared of using the varoma. I have quite a few friends (most had a TMX before me) who are using the TMX daily and cooking all sorts of wonderful things but not using the varoma because they are too scared.

[quirkycooking]

Yes, I don't understand that! I use mine every day, sometimes a few times, because I warm up leftovers in it as well as cook in it. We don't have a microwave - that's another appliance the Tmx replaces!! 

[JaneeZee]

Me too Jo - probably don't do quite as much as you Jo as there is only DH & I at home.

Here's some tips for Varoma use:
Poach your eggs – use silicon cups/moulds, 11 min, Sp3
Defrost your food – 25 min, Sp4
Warm/heat your food – 10-15 min Sp4
Steam Veggies – consult Everyday Cookbook or Full Steam Ahead cookbook.
Steam Fish – 15-20 min, Sp3 (depends on type and thickness of fish) – one of my favourite dishes is Asian Style Fish Fillets (in your Everyday Cookbook)
Steam mussels and cook a sauce at the same time – your family/friends will be impressed – Chilli mussels with Thyme & Tomatoes (in your Everyday Cookbook)
Any cake or pudding can be steamed ... the smaller the receptacle, the quicker it will steam (invest in some silicon moulds) – the sticky date puddings are brilliant. They can be steamed, frozen individually & packed for lunches.
Meat, chicken, turkey – can all be cooked in the Varoma – just follow the recipes in Full Steam Ahead

[Cuilidh]

Thank you for those ideas Janeezee, they are great.

I do use my varoma on occasions, but I don't use it nearly enough (you can tell I haven't had the varoma demonstration yet).  Useful and practical suggestions can be a super inspiration to all of us - with luck, this could be the start of a great "brain-storming" (or "forum storming") session of ideas on varoma use (... or maybe there is already something along these lines already on the forum?).

[ellie j]

I  will admit I'm a bit scared of the varoma as well..  Have some fish in the fridge might try that and the sticky date puds tonight..
I have done Jo's cashew chicken and it was beautiful..   

[ellie j]

Oh and thanks janeezee the tips are great ... Will welcome more if anyone has some to share

[judydawn]

Thanks JZ, that list will give some the incentive to try something different.
Ellie j - lots of meal ideas using the varoma in the new All-in-one section here.

[cookie1]

Renlor I love the varoma bread too, especially when we are in the caravan. (I don't have an oven). If you add a few sultanas to it and increase the sugar it makes a lovely sweet loaf.
You can find the post about it here. Varoma bread

Yippee I did it. Thanks CP63.

[judydawn]

  Easy when you know how isn't it Cookie.  Got to love those who help us out with our computer lessons on here.