Tuesday 3 September 2013

My new kitchen helper

Even though I have been a keen home baker for the past few years, I have never thought of getting a stand mixer, I don't even own a food processor for my daily cooking. A heavy duty stand mixer is neither a need nor a want (^^")

So when Bosch invited me to participate in the review of their recently launched new Bosch MUM5PRO HomeProfessional Kitchen Machine MUM57830 and to provide a couple of recipes using this appliance, I was a little hesitant to accept the invitation.



Frankly, I wasn't sure whether I would be using the machine that regularly as I hardly even use my old handheld electric mixer. I really don't like the idea of having a white elephant permanently gracing my kitchen counter. Most importantly, I don't know whether I am capable of providing recipes that could meet Bosch expectations and requirements for sharing on its website.

It was only after watching the food preparation demo videos by Chef John See from The Food Dot, using the MUM5PRO and the MUM8 kitchen machine, that I started to changed my mine. You see, my husband spent a few minutes of his time to watch the videos with me, and after watching Chef See making a loaf of banana bread with gula melaka butterscotch effortlessly using the Bosch MUM8 kitchen machine, we were really impressed. I actually envisioned my husband making a cake for me! For someone who can't even cook decent instant noodles, the act of merely adding ingredients into the mixing bowl and letting the machine do most of the work seems easy enough for him ;)

With the assuring words from my baking friend, I plucked up my courage to accept the offer. I am just a self-taught home baker, and my baking doesn't go beyond the usual simple cakes, cookies and muffins. I feel really honoured to be given this opportunity to take up the challenge of trying out new recipes using the kitchen machine.



I must say I am very glad that I made the right decision when I received the complimentary set of machine. I love the sleek, modern design of this mixer which match perfectly with the 'look and feel' of my kitchen. Best of all, it is not as bulky as I had expected.

This kitchen appliance is more than a stand mixer. With the citrus press, continuous shredder and blender attachments, it works as a food processor, food mixer and a blender as well. Switching from one appliance to another is very easy with the easy lift swivel arm. For someone with no experience using a stand mixer or a food processor, I could handle the machine with ease.

To use it as a stand mixer, the machine is equipped with a silicon flexible whisk, a beating whisk and a kneading hook. This appliance comes with a powerful 900 watts motor (great for kneading bread dough), and has 7 speeds and a pulse function. The base of the machine is fitted with rubber suction feet which provides extra stability.

To me, the citrus press attachment is a great accessory. I can use it to squeeze lemon or orange juice as and when it is called for in baking recipes; then change it easily to the whisk attachment to proceed with preparing the rest of the batter. When the appliance is switched on, the citrus press will spin and all I needed to do was to hold on to the fruit. While testing the citrus press attachment, I discovered an important safety feature...the machine is designed to make sure the accessories are correctly attached otherwise it will not start.

The continuous shredder attachment comes with 3 discs which can be used for slicing, shredding herbs, fruits and vegetables and grating nuts. The plastic blender attachment can be used for blending drinks, puree fruits and vegetables, it can also be used for cutting fruits, nuts and for crushing ice cubes as well.


As a stand mixer, the machine is designed in such a way that the whisk moves in an elliptical motion which ensures every part of the mixing bowl is reached. I used the silicon flexible stirring whisk to prepare a batch of cream cheese fillings. The batter was thoroughly mixed and became very smooth and well blended within a couple of minutes of whisking. I like this silicon edged mixing blade as it can scrape down the mixture as it run along the side of the bowl.



I tested the balloon whisk by making some molten chocolate cakes. The recipe calls for beating whole eggs and sugar together just like making a sponge cake. I set the machine to run on high speed and the batter was thick and ribbon-like after 3 to 4 minutes. The machine could get noisy when it is set to run at high speed. Luckily it is an efficient machine and the batter was ready in less than 5 minutes.

To break up the large air bubbles formed, I turned it to low speed and I could notice the batter becoming more smooth and stable with less foams. This is something I could hardly achieve with my handheld electric whisk. Due to the design of the handheld whisk, even on low speed, the paddle still spin vigorously within its own axis, whereas this Bosch machine is able to move slowly and gently in a larger circular movement. I have also used this whisk attachment to beat egg whites for a chiffon cake. Base on my past experience with beating egg whites with my handheld whisk, this mixer appears to be able to beat egg whites to a much fuller volume.

While preparing the batter for the molten chocolate cake, I had to fold the flour into the mixture. Unlike the normal mixing bowl, the bottom of the mixer's bowl is slightly raised in the middle. This makes folding a little tricky for a first timer as I couldn't scrape the spatula right under the bowl without hitting the raised part. Fortunately, I figured out a way to get around it. I titled the bowl slightly and I was able to fold in the flour smoothly.



Of all the three beaters, I love the dough hook best since I like baking bread for my family. I left the machine to knead a rather wet and sticky dough for 15~20 minutes until the dough reached the window pane stage. The dough became very smooth and elastic and I could pull and stretch it into a thin membrane. My bread machine will need double the time to knead dough to this stage. The maximum speed for the dough hook attachment is speed 3 so there wasn't much noise from the machine when operated at such low speed; and because of the suction feet, it sat very sturdy on my kitchen counter while it knead continuously for at least 15 minutes. The machine didn't feel warm or show any sign of being over heated after being set to run for so long. It also comes with a transparent lid with filler hole to keep flour from settling all over the work area during the initial mixing.

Overall, this Bosch MUM57830 is an easy to use all-in-one kitchen helper. Cleaning up is not very different from what I would do with my handheld mixer or manual whisk. I will certainly put it to good use since I am very happy with the dough kneading function. It is great for beating egg whites too as I no longer have to juggle a handheld mixer in one hand while trying to add spoonfuls of sugar with another. With more practice, I think I could even leave the machine to run on its own while I prepare the yolk batter whenever I crave for a chiffon cake. I will also be able to explore a wider range of recipes now that I have a food processor and a blender :)

I am really lucky to be invited to take part in this review, till now I still couldn't believe I am a proud owner of a new kitchen machine. Good things do come to those who bakes!


PS: This is not a paid review but I was provided with a set of the Bosch kitchen machine for my use when I participated in their review and recipes exercise.


Click here to visit Bosch's recipe page for quick and easy recipes you can prepare at home with a range of Bosch food preparation appliances such as the Bosch ErgoMixx product.

46 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

Love Bosch! I am still using my old model Bosch M550...it still works great, or I will get myself new one too.

Anonymous said...

Well,HHB congratulations and finally your dream of a free mixer is realised. I remembered you once mentioned that you are cheapo, hence, will never buy such expensive gadget.

Anyway, stand mixer from my experience is only good for kneading. For cake or cookies dough, still hand held type more flexible.

Blessings
Priscilla Poh

Mel said...

Lucky you! Bosch is a good brand!!

CY said...

Omg! How did you survive baking all this time without a mixer? Wah must bow in awe... I would have given up baking a loooong time ago if I didn't have a mixer. Look forward to more of your recipes using your new toy! :)

Yummy Bakes said...

Congrats. Self taught baker but your bakes are really beautifully done like a pro. Keep it up and look forward to seeing more of your lovely bakes.

Kimmy said...

HHB, all this while without some of the kitchen gadgets, you did very well. Now with this, wow!, we are sure gonna see lots and lots of interesting surprises from your kitchen. This mixer looks so solid durable, I believe it can last you a lifetime. Mine is already 20 years old.

The Experimental Cook said...

Good things come to those who bake indeed!
I have my trusty electric whisk but hubs has been suggesting for an 'upgrade' for years. PerhapsI will because of that very seductive lava cake in your post. Maybe, maybe...

MH said...

Hi! Congrats! Now a proud owner of a stand mixer. Life is much easier with a heavy duty stand mixer. Expect more bakes from you... ;)

Rumbling Tummy said...

When I needed to buy oven for my place, I was considering Bosch as an option but somehow my decision changed. My food processor was a little konky of late and am now thinking about whether I should try this brand now. Delicious bake as usual.

Small Small Baker said...

Wow! So envy! Glad that you accepted the opportunity to take part in the review. You deserve the new mixer! It really has so many functions. Bake more ok. :)

Happy Homebaker said...

CY, I rely on my handheld electric whisk which can do most of the job ;)

The Experimental Cook, you can always make the lava cake with your handheld mixer!

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi Priscilla, you know me very well ;) and thanks for sharing your experience!

Hi Yummy Bakes, you probably have only seen my recent bakes, I cringe whenever I get the chance to view my earlier posts (^^")

Anonymous said...

Hi HHB, thanks for your kind response.

I just like to share with your readers that, from my experience, stand mixer is good when you need it for bread kneading, otherwise, I still think having a hand-held mixer is better because you can 'manoeuvre' or rather it's more flexible. Also, do not forget for making chiffon cake, hand-held mixer allows changing of bowl to separately beat yolks and egg whites. However, in stand mixer, it is essential to buy two mixing bowls, otherwise, you can't beat yolks and egg whites by using any type of bowl for you simply can't fix it into the stand. Hand-held mixer is flexible when you need to beat your eggs in double boil fashion over the stove.

However, if your intention in buying a stand mixer is not for bread kneading, it is more advisable to buy hand-held mixer which does not cost you a bomb.

In buying stand mixer for bread kneading, it is better to get a powerful one such as what you are having now, 900 watt. My Kenwood stand mixer is 1400 watts and it does a great kneading job for my bread and occasionally pau too, though pau dough does not require that much kneading.

Blessings
Priscilla Poh

PH said...

Hi HHB! Wah, I like your new "toy"! I only know Bosch for their power tools and didn't know that they are also known for kitchen appliances. I should get one for my birthday :)

emma's mummy said...

So happy for you!

AppleC said...

Congratulation, so happy and joys for you. ^.^ I'm a little fan of ur blog. Always looking forward to ur post, picture and the recipe u share. =)

Baking Scientist said...

Hi HHB, looks so cool :)

Happy Homebaker said...

Ho Priscilla, thanks for sharing your wonderful tips! I usually use my handheld mixer to beat egg whites and a balloon manual whisk to prepare the yolk batter. So far I have not tried double boil method to whisk eggs as I am worried I will end up cooking the eggs ;p

Happy Homebaker said...

AppleC, thanks! and thanks for reading my blog :):)

Anonymous said...

Hihi, your bakes look great! i saw that you own a bosch stand mixer and just want to see if you can give me a little help. mine is mum5 but not the same model as yours. i try to use it to knead bread but i cant seem to make it into a ball that dont stick to the mixing bowl! I can knead at speed 2 for an hour or more but still not a ball. any tips? will be much appreciated!

Jimnie

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi Jimnie, I do not have much experience kneading dough with a stand mixer as I only received it a couple of weeks ago.

Was the dough too dry or could it be too wet? Have u tried kneading the same dough by hand? any problem with it?

If you have used the mixer to run for 1 hour, maybe you have over knead the dough??

I used the machine to knead for less than 20mins and it could reach the window pane stage. The dough no longer sticks to the bowl and the bowl became clean. The dough cling on to the dough hook though, need to scrape it down from the hook. I then smooth it into a round ball with my hands. I don't think the machine will make the dough to form a ball by itself.

Anonymous said...

Hi happybaker, may I know where did you get the small glass bottle in the 1st pic. And if you could please share your blueberry cheesecake recipe, it would be great. Tks

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi, I got those pudding glasses when I was in Beijing a couple of years back. I am checking whether I am able to share the recipes here, will post it once I get the go ahead. T

Charlene Chen said...

Hi Happy Homebaker,
I am interested to learn the basics of baking - i.e. chiffon cakes, pound cakes, muffins etc. Where would you recommend to pick up from? I am totally green, no cooking/baking experience.....
Thanks!
Best,
Charlene

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi Charlene, I am not able to recommend as I learn baking solely from cookbooks, mainly borrowed from the library.

Francesca Parise- In my sweet kitchen said...

Hello, I'm Francesc. I follow your blog for a long time, and I like your new "helper" in the kitchen're sure of delicious things. Follow me too.

Charlene Chen said...

Hi Happy Homebaker,
Wow. Ok, that's inspiring. I didn't know you started with just cookbooks. Btw, do you have any idea how to bake using a conventional microwave? I only have that at home....
Thanks!
Best,
Charlene

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi Charlene, I am sorry I do not own a microwave oven...maybe you can try bake simple cookies and muffins to get a feel how your oven works?
I am still relying on cookbooks, as such I can only bake simple cakes :)

Holly Lee said...

wow, I wish I have one. So admire! ^^

GG said...

HI HHB, i really sorry but to approach you with my problems, i jave a bosch mum 8 which is 1600w, i have problems starting the machine , i dont know is it because the watt too high or what, it has been troubling me cause the warranty has over due. I have tried contacting bosch company and the called me to bring down the machine i did and they said nothings wrong with it, they say it mght be it require single socket cause it require high voltage and charge me 35 bucks for service charge! When i bring it home, it can start it, but soon it stops halfway, i really fedup with dealing woth it so i left it there and use my hand mixer to do the job, now that i went bk and try again it dont even start! Wth , i really dont know what to do siaaaa. But the funny part is the blender attachment can work but mixer bowl cant ! I really helpless nowwww...

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi GG, if the blender attachment can work, so it has nothing to do with the power socket? Did you check that the mixing bowl is attached correctly?

Da Froggie said...

I am definitely sold to get one of these after reading your review.

Anonymous said...

Hi, do you have problems whisking 1 egg or 100ml whipped cream? I had a cheaper version of bosch and having problems with smaller batch whisking function. So I have to use the handheld mixer instead.

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi, I have not tried whisking 1 egg with my stand mixer.

Anonymous said...

Where did you purchase this machine? I'm in KS and was thinking of getting one but can't find a source to buy it. Guess the MUM 8 is not available in the US but I was hoping that the MUM5 is.

jas03 said...

Hi I just got a mum5 too, and I tried the dough hook yest for a batch of wholemeal bread. Can I check if u hv the prob of the dough keeping to the sides? Ended up I hv to keep scraping the sides. And did you on the mixer at level 2 or 3 for 20mins to get window pane effect. I kneaded at level 2, for 25 mins I still dun get window pane. I had to hand knead for another 30mins. A

Happy Homebaker said...

I start with speed 1 for about 1 min or so to mix the ingredients, then turn to speed 3 to knead for 18-20mins. Initially, the dough will stick to the sides, but after a while, it will come together and the bowl will be 'clean' by 20mins of kneading. I tried kneading a rather wet dough (tangzhong method) and the dough couldnt come together after I added in the butter. In the end I had to add a tablespoon of flour in order for the dough to leave the sides of the bough. For this wet dough, I let the machine knead for total 30mins before it reaches the window pane stage. I didn't have problem with another dough which I posted recently (kopitiam milk buns). I guess how long it takes will depend on the type of bread/dough.

Anonymous said...

Hi, could you advise me where can i buy and get a better price of the bosch mixer. Thanks lily

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi, you may want to take a look at Bosch website:
http://www.bosch-home.com.sg/gss_food-preparation.html
there is sales going on for GSS.

Ramiz Raza said...

Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a very well written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely return.
ADRIAN

mel said...

Hi, how do you remove the balloon whisk? I can't find any button to release it from the mixer. Thks

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi mel, there is no release button, just pull it out, same with the other 2 attachments.

D4D said...

Hi HHB,

it's great coming back here to read all the yummilicious and lovely posts from you :)

i have been away few years and coming back this year to "revive" the interest for baking.
Recently busy with moving and been thinking of getting oven as well as mixer, bread machine still considering...

may i know if you have any recommendation?
i'm just like you (been reading your blog when you decided to get the Bosch oven), not a heavy duty baker and would want to try out new recipe and bake for loved ones only.

my tiny nest not allowing me to have the wall mounted oven, so i'm thinking of getting a standalone type.

it would be great if you can share me your thought :)

thanks!

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi D4D, glad to hear that you have revived your interest for baking :)
I am afraid I am not able to recommend any particular brand of tabletop oven as my previous tabletop oven was a tefal and it is a very basic oven. You can check out electrical stores like harvey norman...for tabletop ovens, you will need to check that the door is firm and can shut tightly. Those with top and bottom heating and/or comes with a fan would be good. Hope this helps :)

Anonymous said...

Hi, thanks for sharing your experience. May I know how much flour you used for your bread? I understand some standmixer like 5qrt KA can take max 220g breadflour.
Thks. LP

Happy Homebaker said...

Hi LP, I used about 300g flour for this bread loaf.