As far as fancy kitchen gadgets go they don’t come much more high-end than the Thermomix – the appliance heralded as an all in-one cooking device.
While many are probably familiar with the much-coveted machine, it’s not always been easy to get great recipes for the machine that reflect the modern diverse flavour of Australian cuisine
That was until 29-year-old Alyce Alexandra stepped on to the Thermo-specific scene some nine years ago.
Alyce Alexandra is the creative force behind a series of cook books that create meals using a Thermomix
The Melbourne-based cook is a firm believer it’s possible to create beautiful and healthy meals using a Thermomix and her latest book Everyday Thermo Cooking is proof this is entirely possible.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia Ms Alexandra revealed her interest in creating Thermo cooker-inspired dishes was sparked through experimenting as a teenager.
‘When I was 15 my mum got a Thermomix – and this was back when no-one had a Thermomix, and she loved it, she said.
‘When most people were learning to cook conventionally and might get a Thermomix later on I actually learnt how to cook in the Thermomix.
‘It’s my default way of thinking about food.’
Ms Alexandra’s mother Janene Babauskis (pictured left) first introduced Ms Alexandra (pictured left) to the many joys of cooking with the all-in-one kitchen device
But because the method of cooking was still fairly new to Australia at that time, there weren’t as many resources available, and those that were leaned more towards a European style of cuisine, she said.
‘It was pretty much out of necessity that I started playing around and developing my own recipes.
‘About eight years ago I remember thinking I can’t be the only person who is wanting more resources.’
Ms Alexandra was studying commerce and law when she self-published her first cook book
‘And when you’ve spent $2000 on a machine, you want to be able to use it every day.
Ms Alexandra explained this gave her ‘the push’ to release her first recipe book, even though at the time the 20-year-old was at university studying commerce and law.
Roping in her younger sister Loryn, who was still in high school, the pair produced and self-published their first collection of Thermo-specific recipes.
She said her focus on creating Thermo meal recipe books was to make home cooking easier and faster
I really wanted to be a lawyer, and food was just a creative outlet but now it’s become my whole world
‘I thought let’s get it printed and see if people are interested,’ she said.
‘We actually sold out of our print run very quickly and people really loved the book. I developed this little cult following within the Thermomix community.’
Within six months her ‘side gig’ had grown into a full time business, and with another three books under her belt, her hobby was quickly shaping up into a full time career.
‘I really wanted to be a lawyer, and food was just a creative outlet but now it’s become my whole world,’ she said.
Ms Alexandra recently partnered with publishing house Penguin who are backing the release of her latest recipe collection
Some of the delights that can be created using the kitchen device include these custard filled sweet treats
Ms Alexandra and her sister how head up a successful company that retails all things Thermo-related. It’s very much a family affair though, with other sister Ellen one of her eight staff members.
Recently she has partnered with publishing house Penguin who are backing the release of her latest collection Every day Thermo Cooking.
Her latest book shows its entirely possible to create beautiful and healthy meal using the high-end kitchen device
Of her new cook book, she said the recipes specifically play to her strengths as a home cook.
‘My approach has always been if I can do it, you can do it too,’ she said.
‘It’s all really easy stuff. I’m not trying to be ‘chefy’ or recreate the wheel.
‘I try to bring ingredients together creatively so there’s a meal on the table in no time at all,’ Ms Alexandra continued.
‘We’re so busy and I think the only way we’re going to keep embracing home cooked food if it quick and easy.
‘You can make dinner using my recipes faster than you can get UBER eats. It’s a way of incorporating home cooking into modern life,’ she concluded.
Ms Alexandra advises creating this ragù in advance and freeze the remaining portions for an easy and delicious mid-week meal