It’s funny how days seem to have a life of their own. Like today, I got up, had a quick breakfast and went to the farmers market. On the way home, I stopped at Harvey Norman to get a computer bit or bob. For my American friends, Harvey Norman is our equivalent to Best Buy with computer gear, fridges, stoves, phones, cameras, kitchen toys and more.
I’ll bet when you go into stores like this, you let the other half go to the geek department and you head straight for the kitchen gear? I know where I head.
As I was walking down one aisle and then another, this lovely man named Josh rolled over to me and asked if I needed any assistance. Josh works in the stove department and I asked, “What free standing stove has the biggest oven?”
He asked if I was interested in gas or electric, induction – all those questions you’d expect someone to ask. I said I wanted a gas top and electric oven. It’s what I had in the home we designed and I’d like to have that again.
I have oven envy. With a 60cm oven I have trouble with a normal cookie sheet and can only use it if I can squeeze the ends between the side rails. For a food blogger, it’s just not good enough.
Josh said, “I have a Blanco 90cm freestanding gas stove that you’d love and it has the widest oven in the store with three racks,” and off I went following him. I did fall in love and then realized I couldn’t afford it. Wouldn’t it be nice if the Blanco people said they thought I needed one to test? As if. 🙂
I said goodbye to Josh and as we were walking out, there were two sales people giving a demonstration on Harvey Norman’s Tefal Cuisine Companion kitchen machine. It’s the one Liz Posmyk from Bizzy Lizzy’s Good Things has been raving about since she got hers a few months ago.
The ladies were chopping carrots when I got there and I asked how loud it was and she said, “I’m chopping now.” Compared to a ThermoChef or Thermomix, the Cuisine Companion is much quieter.
Next they added an onion and asked this little boy if he would like to handle the settings. No fear whatsoever, he reached up and in a second or two the machine was chopping. It holds 2.5 litres which is half a litre larger capacity than a Thermomix.
It also costs $1,699 which is $300 less than the Thermomix, plus you can buy it at a store and not have to go through the hoo ha of an in-home demonstration just to get the extra bits. The machine comes with a spatula, cleaning tool, kitchen scale, apron, and a cookbook with 300 recipes.
The programs are sauce, soup, slow cook, steam, pastry, dessert or manual. What more would you want? Oh, a chopping blade, knead and crush blade, beater, stirrer and steam basket? Yes, those are included too. The Tefal Cuisine Companion is only sold at Harvey Norman in Australia with stores everywhere.
When Liz got hers, I remember this wonderful Gluten free white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake she made. One look and I wanted one right there and then. Doesn’t it look good? She made this in her Cuisine Companion fancy machine.
I did the next best thing because by the time I got home I didn’t have time to bake a cheesecake after running all the errands we had to do today. I made white chocolate cheesecake desserts – no bake. I had just enough graham crackers from my stash to make the base and this recipe makes 6 small servings. It received thumbs up from us and our neighbour.
- ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs (or any plain biscuit/cookie crumbs - omit sugar if the cookies are sweet)
- 50 grams melted butter
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 250 gram block of cream cheese, softened
- ⅜ cup of caster (superfine) sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon gelatine powder dissolved in ⅛ cup boiling water and cooled.
- 100 grams (half a block) white chocolate, melted
- ½ cup cream, lightly whipped (measure before whipping)
- Whisk the sugar into the crumbs and add the melted butter and stir to combine.
- Add to the bottom of 6 small dessert dishes and press into the bottom of the dish, saving a few crumbs for garnish. Set aside.
- Cut the cream cheese into chunks and put in the bowl of a mixer along with the sugar. Beat on medium speed until the cream cheese and sugar are smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the gelatine and mix to combine.
- Remove from mixer, scrape the bowl and stir in the white chocolate with a spatula and then fold in the whipped cream.
- Divide the filling into the 6 bowls and garnish lightly with crumbs and top with fresh berries.
I am always intrigued by these fancy machines you Aussie’s rave about! The Thermomix eludes me, I’ve never seen it here in North America. I was just at T-Fal testing recipes for a new machine launching in 2016 but it’s nothing like that beauty…I must ask them next time I’m there if we will be getting something like it in the future — we’re always a few years behind.
My old stove had two ovens but the top one never fit a full-size cookie sheet, so I can feel your pain. My current stove (gas top) also have two ovens (electric oven) but they rejigged it and now the top one is as wide as a normal oven. I love having the two because the top smaller version heats up in no-time and for two, it’s the perfect size to make a variety of things without having to heat up the whole house to do it. If I were to get a new stove, I would consider induction so I wouldn’t need the fan on all the time (here it’s the law that you need a specific size of fan for a gas stove). I hope Blanco gets you a new oven! You should contact your food network, sometimes when they change sets, they sell off their old appliances at really great deals. XOXO
A no bake dessert sound perfect for the summer (I know, you’re not in summer, sorry about that).
Hello Maureen, I am right along with you whilst the men are over there looking at the newest and coolest router and techy gear, I gravitate to the kitchen appliances. Well, of course! I think for all the cooking and baking you do you should treat yourself to a nice stand alone stove and oven, with loads of burners and baking space. When I lived in Japan, I did not have an oven I only had a tiny little fish oven and one burner… that was tough. Now I have 3 burners and I could certainly use more. I love your no cook cheesecake cups, fun and easy dessert . Pinning and sharing, of course!
I am the same in those types of stores. 🙂
This cheesecake, though. Can we talk about it? White chocolate and rich cheesy goodness. Berries for a touch of tart. Perfect.
You do need to get that big oven! What a beauty ! I love my gas stovetop. Don’t think I would enjoy cooking any other way. Your white chocolate cheesecake sounds scrumptious! Love that it’s no bake too!
Yes, you definitely need an upgrade!! Fingers crossed you get it soon 🙂 And till then, I’m sure these fabulous no-bake cheesecakes will keep you quite content. They sound marvelous!!
I love no bake recipes and this is no exception. White chocolate and raspberries is also a favourite flavour combo for me too! 😀
Oh, my! I don’t know which I want more, the oven, the tfal, or the cheesecake? I suppose hubby would go for the for the cheapest. How long will it take me to put together a graph as to when that oven wouls start making me money? ?
The individual no-bake cheesecakes are adorable. Though the baked version looks pretty great too.
No comments on the toys as my finances are so far from being able to afford any of them that it’s laughable. 🙂
Morning Maureen, yes, yes, yes, you MUST have a new oven. It’s such a pain when they are tiny….& yours is your lively-hood.
I work in lots of oven in lots of kitchens, & one of the biggest challenges is when I come up against small ovens. That’s one thing when it’s in someone else’s kitchen, but in your kitchen…? I think not!
A big oven is essential for you…..xx
It is, I know. 🙂 Maybe I need a part-time job to pay for it.
You know, I actually prefer raw to baked cheesecakes 🙂 Seeing photos, I’m not sure the Cuisine Companion is my kind of thing. Way too big and no matter how hard the people try to sell Thermomix, the end result is NOT the same. 🙂
I’m not sure the Thermomix or Cuisine Companion need to have the same results as doing all the cutting, chopping and mixing by hand. If it helps people who wouldn’t enjoy chopping, cutting and mixing to produce healthy, nutritious food rather than boxed or take away food, I’m all for it. I love the process of cooking but my daughter couldn’t be less interested. She’d use one of these and the result would be healthier food for her and the family.
You need a new oven. You have some nifty machines in Australia — we don’t have any of those things. Lucky you!
A new oven, now that’s exciting, Maureen! Your cheesecakes sound divine! Yum.
Thank you for the very kind shout out, too (you are so very sweet).
Must say, I do like my Tefal Cuisine Companion and must politely disagree with one of your lovely commenters who says that the CC is ‘way too big and the end results are never the same’… actually they really are… the CC mixes, chops and lives up to all the bells and whistles advertised… and it takes up no more space than my large Breville stand mixer (which is now on the bench in my utility room).
Oh I think I might need to go to harvey norman and look at ovens – my gas oven is so slow and it is apparently our gas supply – my mum just got an electric wall oven and loves it so I am wondering about getting an electric oven one of these days – hers is great with a second oven at the bottom instead of a griller and her baking is so improved because her old one burnt everything. That oven looks huge but I am sure you would make good use of the space.
I am not after a thermomix of equivalent as I am happy with my blender for now. But I quite fancy your cheesecakes – they look great and I love that they don’t have a few packets of cream cheese which always seems excessive
This recipe only makes 6 small portions but that’s more than plenty for us. I used a stand mixer to whip the cream cheese and sugar because it takes a while to make it really smooth but everything else was done with a spatula. Easy as can be.
I think I’m a little smitten with that oven too – it would be a little bit sexy don’t you think in your kitchen 🙂 White chocolate and raspberry is a great combo – actually white chocolate and anything works for me.
No bake alllllllllll the way. I’d even say, don’t worry about upgrading, think of the extra cleaning with a bigger oven. LOL! 🙂
LOL they have companies that come to your home and clean your oven, Anna. 🙂
I love this little cheesecake! Where do you get your hands on graham cracker crumbs in Australia Maureen? I’ve been looking for them but cannot seem to find any!
USA Foods in Melbourne. They just had a new container arrive so I should get another order in. 🙂
Thanks! X
You definitely need that oven. I have a double oven both of which take the widest baking sheet and I wouldn’t be able to manage without. I now have a gas job having changed from induction and I love it. Lovely looking dessert, perfect for supper or a dinner party. GG
My previous stove was like yours and I can’t tell you how much I miss it. When I hired my caterer for a party, she loved coming to my house because of the large ovens in the stove and I had two smaller ovens plus three dishwashers (only 2 in the main kitchen). I was SO spoiled. I’d like to be spoiled again.
Cheaper and quieter sounds like a bang for the buck! And this white chocolate cheesecake sound awesome for a Sunday dessert. Sweet, fresh and creamy. Lovely!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx
It is very creamy and I will make this again. 🙂
That is one good looking stove. I have to be happy with what I have because it would never fit into my kitchen space. What a cute looking desert, I’m sure it is better than what they made in the store.
I hope you get a fab new oven – you deserve it! And I love the no bake cheesecake – It looks perfect for a dinner party when I want something quick and easy, festive and delicious! Thanks Maureen.
It’s starting to get hot here in NC so I am loving the idea of a no-bake cheesecake, which I’ve never tried. I’ve always been afraid that it comes out with a jello-like texture, but yours looks very creamy and delicious. P.S. I vote ‘yes’ on a new stove for you 😉
I’ll take an order for one of those stoves too, looks amazing. As does your cheesecake, so creamy and so… simple!
I hate those 60cm wide ovens – useless. You can never get anything in to them. I have an ancient wall oven that’s bigger than 60cms but smaller than 90cms and I find it perfect but I don’t think you can buy that olden-day size anymore. It’s one of the best ovens I’ve ever used. I sure would like a gas cooktop. I do hope you get your Blanco oven one day soon – it suits you! I do like the sound of the Cuisine Companion. And your white cheesecakes are beautifully presented and I love how you whipped them up in no-time xx
I usually am the one geeking out as Michael stands there bored out of his brains! But I totally feel your pain about your oven, mine is small and I have to jig the shelves about to get my cookie sheet in as well its a real nightmare! I too want a larger oven that is gas on top and an electric oven at the moment its all gas and I find it just gets to hot at times to evenly bake things….. I would seriously love that huge oven you showed, heavenly 😀
How did you know I was craving cheesecake? Love this easy way to satisfy my cravings! 🙂
Lovely recipe, which had me at the words ‘no bake’ – I’m lazy like that.
I am desperate for a new oven too. My griller stopped working years ago and the oven is too small for larger baking sheets, although I’d rather have two ovens than just one big one. I have the wood stove oven to use in winter, but I miss the versatility of having two hot ovens in the summer months.
I think we need an oven fairy, Maureen.
If you find an oven fairy, could you please send her over here??
That oven could really make me happy! I wish we had gas already. Love this cheesecake – it sounds wonderful!
Wow! What an oven! It is gorgeous and I definitely think you need it. 🙂
Love these no-bake cheesecakes. They look so creamy!
Oh just what I needed to hear. 🙂 Thanks so much for coming by.
I am not sure which one to swoon over first…The free standing stove, the amazing chopper or the no-bake cheesecake. Wow! I think the no bake cheese cake is in my price range 🙂
We will soon be on the market for a stov stop. I have natural gas and love using gas when I am cooking. My ovens are electric and are on a separate wall.
Thanks for sharing.
Velva
No, you don’t need this oven, Maureen. HA! Just kidding, of course. I think this oven will help you further your passion and talents in cooking, after all. I think you are bribing us with this delish cheesecake.
i haven’t been in a Best Buy in ages but certainly don’t recall them having all those goodies and vendors demonstrating their products. What a fun way to spend a Saturday. I think your no bake cheesecake looks fantastic. I’m saving this recipe to try later.
Oh, maybe they don’t do demos like this store does. In their stove department they have free cooking classes 3 times a week.
$1699 – $1999 for a kitchen appliance?? Holy moly! Maybe one day.
This cheesecake looks amazing. It looks easy enough that maybe I can actually pull it off. I am pinning it!
Yeah, I know!
Hello Maureen,
I’m collecting all your great recipes on my Pinterest “Recipes” board.
Thank you!
Carol
Thanks, Carol!
It’s just what I need a new oven ! Mine is so little ! But I’m happy with my thermomix, I don’t think so I will changed ! My brother in law buyed another one more expensive and bigger and now he doesn’t want any more because is so complicated to cook with 😉
Love your dessert, so chic !
If someone tried to steal my Thermomix, they’d take me kicking and screaming along with it. 🙂
Hehe, I would do the same Maureen ?
I love white chocolate and raspberries so those cheesecakes sound like a win. Yes when we head into Harvey Norman Mr Sweet is straight to the TV’s and I’m at the kitchen appliances 🙂
We’re two of a kind, Linda!
Our gas oven is tiny and it is very hard to get much in it. My 30cm roaster with lid only just fits. Yes not right at all for a foodie:). Love your cheesecake.
we both need a new oven!
I have never heard of any of these machines, now I am interested and Googling them all haha! Those cheesecakes look delicious for a quick treat! 🙂
Oh man this is totally my kind of dessert!
I wouldn’t mind that cook top with that crazy big oven, chopper and 2 servings of that lovely cheesecake. Hubs would be very happy if I just settled for cheesecake:).
I totally hear ya, I’m almost all the time sitting in a corner with a phone or talking to my little boys in ‘geeky’ stores as I call it.
The Tefal looks very interesting, Maureen. I’ll have to look out for it. Can’t beat a cheesecake with raspberries on top. Excellent quick recipe.
Maureen, your no-bake cheesecake looks heavenly! What a gorgeous fusion of cheesecake and pudding. And I love how simple to prepare it is! Will have to try this for a treat 🙂
I always go to the kitchen department and let the geek to electronics :). Me too I wish I could get one of those for testing… If they contacted you, pass them on to me hahaha. Loved your simple easy recipe, I wish I’m one of your neighbours.
I need a new oven but the idea of looking at them, getting quotes etc is all too much! These desserts are super-stunning. Love cheesecake.
That’s a neat eye candy dessert! I like the flavors in your cheesecake and it’s no bake.
To be honest I always prefer to go to the computer gadget section then cooking section. My mum is the cooking section lover. That new gadget Liz has been raving about looks and sounds super useful, unfortunately I still think it’s way to expensive. I know it’s cheaper then thermomix, but to be honest I wouldn’t buy anything at that price. You can feed a family somewhere in this world for a year with that money.
Appliances and kitchen ware is the danger zone for me … especially by myself because I linger too long mulling it over and justifying the whys and what not. Dreamy.
Your no bake cheesecake has the perfect crown of raspberries and looks creamy-good!
I want that type of oven too 🙂
Looks amazing, definitely you will be always in the mood to create new dishes
I did like my last two big ranges very much, gas top and electric oven. Now I have an induction. I have to say it is so easy to clean and instant on, instant off, but I do miss the gas! Your dessert is droolworthy and I would like it NOW before dinner!!
I have 3 portable induction cookers and I like them a lot too. I might have to rethink. 🙂
I am keep saying I should take at least a week with no sugar.. but all these delicious recipes makes me keep postponing 🙂 This no bake cheesecake is wonderful
This no-bake cheesecake looks like the perfect summer dessert for company. I may have to make it tomorrow for Father’s Day!
Maureen, I’ve never had a gas cooktop/electric oven. Always all one or the other. Can’t stand an electric cooktop, so I’m glad I’ve only had to put up with one for a couple of very brief times years ago. I’m loving this no-bake dessert right about now, much too warm to run the oven. And I have just the little glasses to use for it.
I love no-bake desserts! Especially during the summer! Because I HATE turning the oven on! This looks like perfection!