Alright, we are here to confess that we are both Thermomix lovers at Rainbow Sky HQ. Ashleigh has had her Thermomix for a few years and Alisha has just jumped on the train not long ago. If we are honest… we bond over it!
Having one of these amazing machines in your kitchen is an absolute luxury (we know, we both saved and saved to purchase one ourselves). Because it is an investment, it is important to get your money’s worth out of it. Being a teacher probably means you are time poor (aren’t we all) and looking for some shortcuts to make your week easier.
We have put together a few of our most favourite Thermomix recipes to help our fellow thermo-owning teachers:
Breakfast in a Jiffy
Maybe you are a brekkie person, maybe you aren’t. Both of our thermomixes are used first thing in the morning. Here is what we use it for:
- Boiled Eggs – Put them on and go and have a shower (multitasking at its finest!!)
- Brekkie Smoothie – no recipe link here, we just throw in what we have. Ashleigh’s favourite combo is almond milk, mixed berries, ½ a cup of oats, baby spinach and water. Alisha loves this green smoothie recipe.
- Muesli – having a batch ready to go is ideal to add to yoghurt or just have with milk in the mornings. We are loving the vanilla and honey toasted muesli from the ‘Everyday Cookbook’ (unfortunately we can’t link to this recipe for copyright reasons but it is on the cook key).
School Safe Snacks
Who doesn’t want nut-free snacks ready for the week that you can eat on the run? Here are some of our favs:
- Pumpkin Scones – these contain a vegetable and are so delish! It is a win-win.
- Nut-Free bliss balls – Finally some versions of the bliss ball we can take to school!
- ANZAC Slice – This yummy slice will last in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Pear and Raspberry Bread – follow the banana bread recipe in the basic cookbook and exchange bananas for fresh pears and frozen raspberries (we halve the sugar too).
- Oat Choc Chip Slice – the oats in this recipe really help in filling up your tummy during those rushed breaks.
- Five Seed Energy Bar – found in the ‘Plant to Plate Collection’ and is one of Alisha’s staples for recess.
Oat Slice and Pear Bread (Image @thermoheadmel)
Lunch Ideas
If you are like us, we get hungry at work so an easy to prep, healthy meal is also a priority. Here are some ideas:
- Pumpkin Soup – if you like pumpkin soup, you will LOVE this gem of a recipe!
- Beetroot Salad – Have you tried this recipe from the Basic Cookbook? Make up a batch and then add different things to it each day to mix up your lunches. Some yummy additions include feta and seeds, tuna, a boiled egg or some chicken.
- Brown Rice Salad – This is also from the Basic Cookbook and can be mixed up with some chicken or tuna.
- Broccoli Salad – get your daily dose of greens and you can add a bit of protein, whether it’s some chicken or tuna.
Brown rice salad with shredded chicken (@thermoheadmel)
Quick Meals
Busy teachers need quick and healthy go-to meals of an evening. We are always looking for new inspiration. Here are a few recipes that you might like to try (and they are all on the table with little time and fuss):
- Bacon and Veggie Soup – finding this recipe was like finding treasure. It is more exciting than the usual vegetable soup and is perfect for leftover lunches too.
- Won-ton soup – Ashleigh makes this soup ALL the time, but cheats! She purchases premade dumplings from the Asian supermarket and just makes the broth, steaming the premade dumplings at the same time.
- Fish Parcels – this was recommended to us by a friend and we are so glad we gave it a try! Use any veggies you have in your fridge and find the recipe in the Basic Cookbook.
- Red Thai Curry – if you’ve already made the paste (which we highly recommend), this takes no time. Plus you can mix it up with the veggies you prefer. Thai takeaway deliciousness at your fingertips.
Red Chicken Curry
Teaching Tools
This one got you puzzled? The thermomix can do so much more than making a mean soup. Check out these ideas for your classroom:
- Playdough – this has got to be the best recipe out there for playdough. We have also created inexpensive personalised gifts with this recipe. Read about it here.
- Homemade Paint – If you are on a slim class budget or doing a special art project, this non-toxic paint might be worth a try.
- Coloured Rice – this is easily made the old-fashioned way (ie: using a sealed container and shaking, shaking, shaking) but if you have a thermo, why not get it to do the work for you. Easy to make larger batches too (tip: once you have coated your rice in vinegar and added colouring, quicken up the drying process by putting it in the oven at a low temp.
- Craft Glue – We are yet to try this one ourselves… if the thermomix can do it, why not give it a whirl!
- Chalk Paint – you don’t need a thermo to make this one but we wanted to throw it on the list because it is so easy! Mix together ½ a cup of cornflour and ½ a cup of water. Add a few drops of food colouring and you are ready to paint the pavement! This chalk paint washes off very easily with a hose.
We could not live without our Thermomix… and we are guessing, if you have already read down to here you love yours like a family member too! Let us know if there are any teacher-friendly recipes you think we need to add to our list!!!!
Note: Photos included in this post are either from our kitchens or from the talented Mel Head. Find her and lots of Thermomix inspiration on her Instagram page at @thermoheadmel.
What to read next:
8 Simple Tips for New Teachers to Make Your Life Easier
Creative Ways to Build Staff Morale
8 Ways to Avoid Teacher Burnout
