Curry Recipes Online
Beginners Guide => Hints, Tips, Methods and so on.. => Cooking Equipment => Topic started by: chewytikka on November 14, 2011, 12:26 PM
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Hi All
Garabi Maker
Interesting piece of kit, anybody got one?.
(http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/pics/2a66b3cced277041ba58b3204df0ae28.jpg) (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/imagehost/#2a66b3cced277041ba58b3204df0ae28.jpg)
Seems ideal for those who don't want to produce a freezer full
of curry base. But rather a fresh, there and then, curry cooking session.
We all probably like the theatre of making a big pan of curry base, but the clean up can become
a bit of a pain, especially if you've got the other half on your case.
As I'm in the market for a new jug blender, I came across this and got me thinking.
Waring Soup Maker WSM1U
http://store.makro.co.uk/p-8929-waring-soup-maker-wsm1u.aspx?gclid=CJeuudaMtqwCFQRP4QodnCtcGg (http://store.makro.co.uk/p-8929-waring-soup-maker-wsm1u.aspx?gclid=CJeuudaMtqwCFQRP4QodnCtcGg)
Cuisinart also do a similar version.
src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ORwIAx42BMI"
Any real life info appreciated
cheers Chewy
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Not identical, but a number of goblet blenders, all of which I find more reliable (and less worrying, in terms of risk of burn-out) than a hand-held stick blender. I know that one of our members (I forget who) has a stick blender with a 1,5HP motor on the end, and I'm certain that that won't burn out in a hurry, but the little 150 -- 450 watt jobbies always seem to be close to their limits, even after as few as 15 seconds, to me ...
** Phil.
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Hi Phil, I'm the one with the big Waring blender - a pressie for my 50th birthday last winter. TBH it doesn't blend any better than a 400 watt domestic hand held blender, but no sign of it ever overheating on me.
I was just looking at those soup makers and some people reviewing on Amazon reckon they are quite hard to clean and that you can still burn the ingredients if you're not watching the machine constantly.
Then again I can see the attraction of cooking and blending a half batch of base in one machine and not even bothering to freeze the stuff because you would probably eat it before it went off.
Cheers,
Paul
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Interesting piece of kit, anybody got one?.
I've been using a very similar device for decades, known as a liquidiser, fitted to the Kenwood Chef and Major range. I also have a standalone model similarin function to the one in your image. I'd never want to use a hand held blender.
Garabi maker? Where does that strange word come from? Why not call it base sauce?
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George, it's not just a liquidiser - it has a heating element so it cooks the contents before blending.
For me this one looks like a nice jug blender. 2.0 litre glass jug that can take boiling liquid, 1000 watt motor and a high price tag to match:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Villaware-BLVLLAZ05H-Litre-Blender-Metal/dp/B002WV0N98/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1321279919&sr=1-3 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Villaware-BLVLLAZ05H-Litre-Blender-Metal/dp/B002WV0N98/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1321279919&sr=1-3)
Cheers,
Paul
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Hi Phil
It would be nice if you could stick to the post, rather than take it off topic as you do so often.
I'm not interested in your views on bloody stick blenders. >:(
I posted this to see if anybody had one, or any real life experience of them.
Thanks Paul, watched a few ytube vids, but not too reliable.
Chewy
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Hi Phil
It would be nice if you could stick to the post, rather than take it off topic as you do so often.
I'm not interested in your views on bloody stick blenders. >:(
Wrong side of the bed, or wrong time of the month, CT ?
** Phil.
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I've used the Cuisinart one for doing soups, as a family member has one. They're pretty good and very convenient, as it's an all in one solution. They're pricey though, so I suppose it becomes a question of whether you can justify it.
Be interested to hear what you think if you do get one and how a scaled-down version of your base fares.
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George, it's not just a liquidiser - it has a heating element so it cooks the contents before blending.
Wow, I agree that makes it more noteworthy. I had no idea. Thanks for pointing out the heating aspect. Whether it's worthwhile is another matter, though.
I agree with Phil about stick blenders and I read his post as wholly relevant to this thread.
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I had no idea.
RTFT
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Looks interestin CT,
Here is one that is half the price of the cuisinart one.BTW I have a cuisinart rice cooker.Very expensive, and I dont rate it at all!!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prolectrix-Soup-Smoothie-Maker/dp/B005FW5AFI/ref=sr_1_17?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1321714225&sr=1-17 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prolectrix-Soup-Smoothie-Maker/dp/B005FW5AFI/ref=sr_1_17?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1321714225&sr=1-17)
Matt
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Garabi maker? Where does that strange word come from? Why not call it base sauce?
Out of the mouths of chef's George,......
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Hi Mike,
Did you ever got yourself a jug blender? I'm looking for one myself at the moment and was looking for recommendations.
Both the warring and the cuisinart seem quite good, the question is whether they will blend/cook well enough :)
Any alternative jug blenders of good quality (even if pricey) are welcome.
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I missed this thread completely at the time.
Chewy, if you have the dosh, get yourself a "Themochef" it's less than half the price of a "Thermomix", but I have cooked many succesful bases in it. Throw everything in, and forget about it, then press another button to blitz it up.
Can't comment on these other machines, but the Thermochef is a copy of the original Thermomix (which is now out of copyright), Very powerful, torquey motor that should last decades rather than months.
Ours now has a very hard life at our shop, it blitzes up fruit/nuts/coconut for Peshawari mix with ease. I killed a domestic food processor trying to do the same Pesh mix the very first time I tried it.... :o
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That looks amazing AussieMick, however 700
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Is that 700 pounds Goncalo???
I paid less than 700 AUSSIE Dollars, and they even threw in a spare jug (valued at $150).
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Any alternative jug blenders of good quality (even if pricey) are welcome.
NOT the Lidl/Silvercrest at
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AussieMick:
Is this it?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Barbel-ThermoChef-Natura-Thermal-Blender/dp/B00AVW7D70/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376056708&sr=8-1&keywords=thermochef (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Barbel-ThermoChef-Natura-Thermal-Blender/dp/B00AVW7D70/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376056708&sr=8-1&keywords=thermochef)
Phil,
Thanks, I don't know about LIDL's over there, but our LIDLs here don't appear to restock stuff that has already sold and I'm afraid I missed the opportunity. I'd imagine for the lassi you are adding ice as well? If so, then I'd imagine that can require a more reliable blender.
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AussieMick:
Is this it?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Barbel-ThermoChef-Natura-Thermal-Blender/dp/B00AVW7D70/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376056708&sr=8-1&keywords=thermochef (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Barbel-ThermoChef-Natura-Thermal-Blender/dp/B00AVW7D70/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376056708&sr=8-1&keywords=thermochef)
That's the one Goncalo. Can't believe it's 700 quid when it was less in dollars down here in OZ......AND with a spare jug thrown in.
Great piece of equipment though.
Just out of interest, does anyone know how much a "Thermomix" is in UK/Europe. They are $1996.00 here in OZ, hence my decision to go for the Thermochef.
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Thanks, I don't know about LIDL's over there, but our LIDLs here don't appear to restock stuff that has already sold and I'm afraid I missed the opportunity. I'd imagine for the lassi you are adding ice as well? If so, then I'd imagine that can require a more reliable blender.
Well, it has a specific "smash ice" mode (no lock, use short pulses only) and that has been used consistently to break up the ice cubes, which were also weighed to ensure that they do not exceed the machine's limit of 180gm of ice. From the smell and symptoms, I suspect the triac or thyristor has gone down, but if I attempt a repair it will, of course, invalidate the warranty, so it will just go back for refund. Ah well, back to the trusty Kenwood Major; let's hope I don't b@gg@r that up, because without it I would be up sh1t creek without a paddle !
** Phil.
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Just out of interest, does anyone know how much a "Thermomix" is in UK/Europe. They are $1996.00 here in OZ, hence my decision to go for the Thermochef.
Like Bose, they are none too keen to say : Thermomix is only available direct from us or one of our regional demonstrators. It is not available in stores. Please contact us for pricing information
** Phil.
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Same here Phil. They are not available in the shops, you have to go through a Thermomix Rep/agent.
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I never followed up on these machines but member Tommy Timebomb
has a Cuisinart Soup Maker/Blender SSB1U - and had a go at making a Garabi in it.
He posted his revue here
http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php/topic,8827.msg78910.html#msg78910 (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php/topic,8827.msg78910.html#msg78910)
Apparently Cuisineart and Waring models are the same company, go figure.
Thermomix looks very good - around 900
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Regarding the cleaning Chewy, with Thermochef/mix, it's easy
You simply half fill the jug with hot water, add a squirt of washing up liquid and give it a 10 second blitz on full speed, then rinse under the tap and put it away.......done.
Also, as well as being great for curry base etc, they cook up 100's of all sorts of meals with ease. I love my Thermochef
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Hi Mick
Yes, the Thermochef/mix looks like a top piece of kit, I would like to play around
cooking with them, but I just couldn't justify the spend/cost of either.
For me, It would be like buying the Kenwood kit and just making the odd Naan dough with it. Overkill
Anyhoo, probably pick up the Morphy Richards for Garabi experimenting, this weekend.
And no doubt post some soup recipes, Nagagitawny springs to mind - lol ;D
Noticed there's an Aussie version too - ;D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GplavuxObcw&feature=share&list=UUUtyXiMFR4TTcQStbK_wrdA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GplavuxObcw&feature=share&list=UUUtyXiMFR4TTcQStbK_wrdA)
cheers Chewy
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I hear what you saying Chewy. I had to convince my missus that it was worth it....lol
That Kambrook looks pretty good to be honest. Let us know how it goes.
Nagagitawny sounds promising :o
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Have been on holiday and just seen this thread
Ive had a thermomix for a few years now and it cost about
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Thanks Chewy!
Anyhoo, probably pick up the Morphy Richards for Garabi experimenting, this weekend.
I just looked at a couple of the morphy richards soup maker videos and the kambrook one. Would you think the blending is smooth enough? I need a new blender more than a soup maker, but the possibility of making small portions of base is exciting, as I hate making the large quantities myself. I also see a potential for reutilising reclaimed oil in base after base more practical. I'm giving a good thought into buying this one as price wise seems perfect. :)
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Hi Gongalo
Picked up the Morphy Richards version today.
The blender function works very well, optimum by design, more like a powerful immersion or stick blender,
with its 3inch/70mm serrated blade, it rotates at about 20mm above the base of the stainless steel jug. It only blends in 20second bursts,
obviously to protect the motor, something I've never come across before, but can easily live with.
Lots of choice of cheaper blenders out there.
Had a load of fun with this kit today, a really good new tool, for doing the same old thing.
Made 3 batches of Garabi, refining my recipes to suit the machine.
I also made a Carrot and Coriander soup without recipe, that was pure class, better than any I have bought in a restaurant or out of a carton or can.
Very impressed, with my new toy :D
cheers Chewy
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Is it this one chewy?
http://www.morphyrichards.co.uk/products/cooking-and-baking/soup-makers/48822-Soup-Maker.html (http://www.morphyrichards.co.uk/products/cooking-and-baking/soup-makers/48822-Soup-Maker.html)
I quite like morphy Richards as a brand. Worth signing up to their monthly emails as they are often discounting certain products heavily.
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Yes, that's the one NJ.
The Aussie identical version "Kambrook" has a far better PDF booklet to download.
Very robust build quality, love the jug, with the fill and forget approach, you don't really notice it's on, even the blend function is pretty quiet.
My original theory of a Garabi Maker is a no brainer in reality, plus this tool has much more uses!
The other noticeable point is, its a very clean way of working in a domestic kitchen.
Better half friendly ;D ;D 8) Brownie points even.
cheers Chewy
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Interesting this. It's a very different approach to the standard "cook in bulk then preserve" which we home cooks tend to have to adopt. Potentially it could even get you closer to a restaurant taste if you're using fresh base gravy each day (as restaurants do).
Just wondering how time efficient it is to cook each day versus the bulk approach. How much prep time and cooking time is involved in making the small batches the soup maker is capable of, and how many curries can you cook with one batch when done?
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Hi Gongalo
Picked up the Morphy Richards version today.
The blender function works very well, optimum buy design, more like a powerful immersion or stick blender,
with its 3inch/70mm serrated blade, it rotates at about 20mm above the base of the stainless steel jug. It only blends in 20second bursts,
obviously to protect the motor, something I've never come across before, but can easily live with.
Lots of choice of cheaper blenders out there.
Had a load of fun with this kit today, a really good new tool, for doing the same old thing.
Made 3 batches of Garabi, refining my recipes to suit the machine.
I also made a Carrot and Coriander soup without recipe, that was pure class, better than any I have bought in a restaurant or out of a carton or can.
Very impressed, with my new toy :D
cheers Chewy
Thanks for this review Chewy. I have just ordered mine. Look forward to your "downsized" recipe, so I can give it a try here... otherwise I'll downsize my own base recipe. :)
Potentially it could even get you closer to a restaurant taste if you're using fresh base gravy each day (as restaurants do).
we can also assume cooking in volume can contribute to the final flavour and this method would be a limiting factor in that sense; Similarly, we should not assume all BIRs start their day making fresh gravy. Sometimes this is made the day before or so. I also find it hard to believe all BIRs will go through the whole batch of gravy in a day without waste...or do they just top up? :)
chewy, bob, our most informed men, clarify from your experience!
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Further testing with this kit, the 20second blend function has quickly become annoying,
Made three, fresh one touch soup recipes, one chunky, all very good.
Tried to make a more complex Garabi and It couldn't cope with a double cook.
But still, a very clean and easy way to make a simple first cook and blend Garabi.
Shame it didn't have a simmer or keep warm feature and a few more manual controls, rather than presets.
Anyhoo, Worth the spend for the fun value alone.
AussieMick and MT must have a great time cooking with their expensive machines.
cheers Chewy
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What particularly is it not good for? And, how exactly is the 20sec limitation? Is it that it blends for 20sec and stops. How long do you have to wait for it to blend another 20 secs?
Also, out of curiosity, did you buy the old (800w) or the new one (1000w) ?
The supplier from the amazon marketplace was out of stock, so my purchase didn't ensue. I was going to pick one up from a local supplier that states on their website it's the 800w for 59eur, but upon calling them, they confirm it is in fact the 1000w (I called to confirm). They have a very good price, better than directly quoted by morphy richards.
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It's model FP48822CUK REV2 -- Made in China ;D isn't everything ;D
Yes it blends for 20secs, rests for 5secs then goes again.
Does this 6 times I think, in auto smooth soup mode.
When you set it to blend mode only, you have to keep your finger on the button and after 20secs
it does the same and stops for a breather.
Not ideal, as a blender Gongalo. As sold, its a soup maker with a blend function.
probably better off looking at other products.
cheers Chewy
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Chewy I would happily give you ago of my themo
Shame you don't live closer :)
I'd say it is more for the serious cook as it can do so many things and you can set the temperature at different settings
Chewy I think you would have more imagination than me and get a bit more use out of it :)
Cheers MT
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Chewy I think you would have more imagination than me and get a bit more use out of it :)
Cheers MT
Same here Michael.
I originally bought my machine for home use, but when we got the shop, it was moved up there.
Now it's life is spent making Peshawari mix, grinding garam masala, chopping garlic and ginger etc.
I do make the occasional pumpkin soup or minestrone for a change from curry, but it is capable of so much more. The steamer attachment is still in it's original packaging...lol...
I have also made small base gravies with subtle changes to make comparisons, but i am back now to the original one.
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Thanks for the offer and the kind words MT
I very rarely cook for the freezer, but if I don't watch out I'm going to have to buy a spare freezer for soup and garabi experiments.
Off to buy more veg. ::)
cheers Chewy