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Tip Store: Cooking: Breakfast
Yummy Breakfast
For those of you who get sick and tired of the same old breakfast I've created a yummy tasty MOO cereal. I use:
2 tablespoons of coconut yoghurt
5 chopped dried apricots.
1/4 cup of dried coconut and a
1/4 cup of pomegranate soaked dried cranberries.
I also add a seed mix if I have it and you can be a little naughty and add some chocolate chips.
It's delicious.
Contributed by Lauren Miller
2 tablespoons of coconut yoghurt
5 chopped dried apricots.
1/4 cup of dried coconut and a
1/4 cup of pomegranate soaked dried cranberries.
I also add a seed mix if I have it and you can be a little naughty and add some chocolate chips.
It's delicious.
Contributed by Lauren Miller
Breakfast Rice
Whenever I cook rice for dinner I cook extra to use for breakfast the next morning. Leftover cooked rice is wonderful hot cereal when porridge gets boring. I just steam the rice with a little bit of water in the microwave then serve after adding a little milk, dried fruit and cinnamon. We all love Breakfast Rice and my family think they are getting something really special instead of everyday rolled oats.
Contributed by Catherine
Contributed by Catherine
The Fastest Breakfast
I’ve always struggled to eat breakfast mainly because I don’t have time in the mornings getting everyone ready and out the door on time to get to work or school. At the moment I am trying to become more health conscious, so breakfast was my first fix that I needed to make.
I have looked all over the internet and discovered making oats for breakfast the night before in a mason jar, no cooking needed! There are endless variations of ingredients, my favourite is chocolate nibs and shredded coconut.
Basically add 1/4 or 1/2 cup oats, depending on how much you want to eat in a serving to a mason jar; add your preferred extras e.g. sultanas, walnuts, chia seeds, dates, prunes, shredded coconut, any fruit (can be fresh or frozen). The list is endless and you can experiment with ingredients you already have so no need to buy anything new, and fill up the last 1/4 of the jar with your liquid of choice. This can be almond milk, regular milk (any milk) or water. Screw on lid and place in the fridge overnight. In the morning grab your jar and enjoy a healthy homemade breakfast.
You can take it with you and eat it on the go, also suitable for lunch!
Note: I like to drizzle with honey or maple syrup in the morning just before I eat mine.
This has saved me time and money because I no longer need to think about breakfast and what am I going to cook, plus the whole family is on board so I have purchased smaller jars for the kids and they are eating healthier. In the winter months I just zap the jar for 30 seconds or 1 minute before serving.
Contributed by Sofia Natsioulas
I have looked all over the internet and discovered making oats for breakfast the night before in a mason jar, no cooking needed! There are endless variations of ingredients, my favourite is chocolate nibs and shredded coconut.
Basically add 1/4 or 1/2 cup oats, depending on how much you want to eat in a serving to a mason jar; add your preferred extras e.g. sultanas, walnuts, chia seeds, dates, prunes, shredded coconut, any fruit (can be fresh or frozen). The list is endless and you can experiment with ingredients you already have so no need to buy anything new, and fill up the last 1/4 of the jar with your liquid of choice. This can be almond milk, regular milk (any milk) or water. Screw on lid and place in the fridge overnight. In the morning grab your jar and enjoy a healthy homemade breakfast.
You can take it with you and eat it on the go, also suitable for lunch!
Note: I like to drizzle with honey or maple syrup in the morning just before I eat mine.
This has saved me time and money because I no longer need to think about breakfast and what am I going to cook, plus the whole family is on board so I have purchased smaller jars for the kids and they are eating healthier. In the winter months I just zap the jar for 30 seconds or 1 minute before serving.
Contributed by Sofia Natsioulas
Toast Extractor
This will not save any money, but a few burnt or singed fingers. I use my tea bag squeezer to take the toast out of the toaster each day. Stops me from getting burnt fingers :)
- Contributed by Hazel Cameron, 18th January 2013
- Contributed by Hazel Cameron, 18th January 2013
Stretching Favourite Cereals and Increasing Health Benefits
Approximate $ Savings: $10 per month or $120 per year
As breakfast cereal is one of the most expensive items on my family's shopping list (especially as we have three different types of cereal on the go at once), I decided to find a cheaper and healthier way to make the cereal go further. Now I buy one box of my Uncle Tobys Sports Plus ($4.99) and a packet of Home Brand 900g quick oats - less than $2. When I get home I fill a plastic cereal holder with 1/3 oats and the rest with Sports Plus - then I shake it to mix it up. This makes the cereal go further, the oats make it a more substantial breakfast - so if fills me up for longer and stops me snacking mid morning, it's healthier for you and it means less trips to the supermarket! I now only buy two boxes of Sports Plus a month - instead of at least four! A saving of over $10 a month - or $120 a year. And that's just with my cereal - if I also do it with my husband and kid's cereal I save even more. And the $2 packet of oats last for around two months.
- Contributed by Nicola, Marcus Beach, 28th October 2009
As breakfast cereal is one of the most expensive items on my family's shopping list (especially as we have three different types of cereal on the go at once), I decided to find a cheaper and healthier way to make the cereal go further. Now I buy one box of my Uncle Tobys Sports Plus ($4.99) and a packet of Home Brand 900g quick oats - less than $2. When I get home I fill a plastic cereal holder with 1/3 oats and the rest with Sports Plus - then I shake it to mix it up. This makes the cereal go further, the oats make it a more substantial breakfast - so if fills me up for longer and stops me snacking mid morning, it's healthier for you and it means less trips to the supermarket! I now only buy two boxes of Sports Plus a month - instead of at least four! A saving of over $10 a month - or $120 a year. And that's just with my cereal - if I also do it with my husband and kid's cereal I save even more. And the $2 packet of oats last for around two months.
- Contributed by Nicola, Marcus Beach, 28th October 2009
The perfect poached egg
Poached eggs on toast are great for breakfast, but getting the eggs poached to perfection can be tricky. If you have a bamboo steamer (you can get them from any Asian grocer for just a few dollars) you can use it to cook your eggs, quickly and easily. Fill a wok with water, put the bamboo steamer on it. Use a small dish, sauces dishes are ideal, for each egg. You can also buy silicone egg poachers which would work too, although they are quite pricey. Place the dishes into the steamer and pop the lid on. The eggs should be ready in five minutes, depending on how hard you like the yolks. Simply slide the egg from the dish onto hot, buttered toast and enjoy.
Tip of the Day, 20th April 2010
Tip of the Day, 20th April 2010
Quick Poached Eggs
The best, quickest and easiest way to poach an egg/s is to just crack the egg into simmering water (no salt or vinegar). I use a small frypan but any pan will do the job, poach for a couple of minutes coating the egg/s with the hot water. You can crack the egg into a small bowl and then gently pour into the simmering water also if you wish. Drain on paper towel to dry it out, perfect egg/s every time, yum.
- Contributed by Lee, 20th April 2010
- Contributed by Lee, 20th April 2010
Steam Your Eggs
You can use your electric veggie steamer and those cheap (from Crazy's) silicone cupcake holders to poach eggs! Even cheaper than using a bamboo steamer! I did it with a jumbo size egg, no problem.
- Contributed by Katie, 20th April 2010
- Contributed by Katie, 20th April 2010
Fruity Breakfast Cereal on the Cheap - Monday 1st February 2010
Approximate $ Savings: Weight for weight - $1 to $2 per kg
I took a liking to the Weight Watchers Fruit and Fibre cereal...until I realised how expensive it was. So I resolved to make my own version of it. I bought the ingredients in bulk (from a health food shop called Goodies and Grains) and mixed it myself using two large tubs. These are the proportions I used; you can vary them according to how much/what kind of fruit you prefer. 500g puffed rice, 500g wheat flakes, 500g corn flakes, 500g puffed wheat, 200g wheat bran (the kind that looks like All-Bran), 100g diced dried pawpaw, 150g diced dried apple (buy the rings and cut them up yourself), 100g sultanas. That kind of quantity lasts me and hubby a few months, and tastes so much better than store bought. In fact, a year or two later when I was on the run and had to pick up a bowl of cereal, I was shocked at how insubstantial it was!
- Contributed by Katie, Brompton, 5th January 2010
Store: Goodies and Grains, Central Market, Adelaide
I took a liking to the Weight Watchers Fruit and Fibre cereal...until I realised how expensive it was. So I resolved to make my own version of it. I bought the ingredients in bulk (from a health food shop called Goodies and Grains) and mixed it myself using two large tubs. These are the proportions I used; you can vary them according to how much/what kind of fruit you prefer. 500g puffed rice, 500g wheat flakes, 500g corn flakes, 500g puffed wheat, 200g wheat bran (the kind that looks like All-Bran), 100g diced dried pawpaw, 150g diced dried apple (buy the rings and cut them up yourself), 100g sultanas. That kind of quantity lasts me and hubby a few months, and tastes so much better than store bought. In fact, a year or two later when I was on the run and had to pick up a bowl of cereal, I was shocked at how insubstantial it was!
- Contributed by Katie, Brompton, 5th January 2010
Store: Goodies and Grains, Central Market, Adelaide
Weekend Cereal - a Treat for the Whole Family
Approximate $ Savings: $5-10 per week.
When my son was little all he wanted to eat for breakfast was Nutrigrain. After a while I added up the cost of the Nutrigrain and realised that it was not good for his diet and not good for my budget. So I decided to introduce what I call "Weekend Cereal", and just had to put up with the tantrums while he was getting used to it. Weekend Cereal is about my children (ages 7, 4 and 2) being allowed to pick their cereal, but it may only be eaten on Saturday and Sunday mornings. I don't care what they pick, as long as it is only eaten on the weekends. Then Monday to Friday they eat what I want them to eat, which is better for my budget and much better for their diets. Monday to Friday breakfasts are made up of Weetbix, Porridge, Toast and Milk or watered down juice. I have been doing this for years now and have saved myself a fortune. With 3 children in the house, all wanting different cereals, my breakfast bill would be much, much higher if I allowed them to eat whatever they want everyday. I have two reasons to smile now. The first is that I save myself between $5-10 per week and the second is more importantly in the healthy lifestyle we are teaching our children. They now know that these cereals are treats and privileges, which so many children do not understand. I am happy to say that my children are all healthy and I feel that this is partially because they start out most mornings with a very healthy breakfast. I hope this tip helps some Cheapskaters out there.
- Contributed by Sheena, Hill Top, 10th September 2009
When my son was little all he wanted to eat for breakfast was Nutrigrain. After a while I added up the cost of the Nutrigrain and realised that it was not good for his diet and not good for my budget. So I decided to introduce what I call "Weekend Cereal", and just had to put up with the tantrums while he was getting used to it. Weekend Cereal is about my children (ages 7, 4 and 2) being allowed to pick their cereal, but it may only be eaten on Saturday and Sunday mornings. I don't care what they pick, as long as it is only eaten on the weekends. Then Monday to Friday they eat what I want them to eat, which is better for my budget and much better for their diets. Monday to Friday breakfasts are made up of Weetbix, Porridge, Toast and Milk or watered down juice. I have been doing this for years now and have saved myself a fortune. With 3 children in the house, all wanting different cereals, my breakfast bill would be much, much higher if I allowed them to eat whatever they want everyday. I have two reasons to smile now. The first is that I save myself between $5-10 per week and the second is more importantly in the healthy lifestyle we are teaching our children. They now know that these cereals are treats and privileges, which so many children do not understand. I am happy to say that my children are all healthy and I feel that this is partially because they start out most mornings with a very healthy breakfast. I hope this tip helps some Cheapskaters out there.
- Contributed by Sheena, Hill Top, 10th September 2009
Creativity Leads to a Healthier (and Cheaper) Breakfast
Breakfast cereals are full of sugar and so costly! Why not buy rolled or quick oats, microwave with a little water, mix in sliced banana, honey, Dutch cinnamon and milk for a delicious and nutritious start to the day. Or make up some bircher muesli with yoghurt, ground almonds, grated apple, honey, Dutch cinnamon and a drop of vanilla essence. A little creativity can make for a much cheaper and healthier breakfast routine.
- Contributed by Maria Katergaris, 11th October 2009
- Contributed by Maria Katergaris, 11th October 2009
Get a Truckload of Breakfast Cereal for Less
"I am the mum of four school-aged children and we love a quick breakfast. We eat lots of oatmeal and semolina, and I normally only keep plain, wholegrain cereals in the pantry. Very rarely, I purchase a "special treat" of another "fancier" cereal when it's on sale. A few weeks ago I had a "Cheapskate" moment while serving my boys a bowl of "treat" cereal when I realised that all the ingredients of the expensive cereal were in my cupboard already, and by weight, each individual ingredient was cheaper than the pre-mixed box! I have since started making my own "special cereal", which my boys have named "Uncle Mummy's Cereal" in reference to the overpriced mix I will never buy again (on sale, it was $4 for a tiny 375g box.) Instead, it only takes a few seconds to fill a mixing bowl with generic brand and/or sale priced muesli, cornflakes, wheat flakes, bran, rice puffs, dried fruit, nuts etc- even using up some bits-and-pieces from the pantry and whatever is on sale that week, and make a truck-load of "fancy" cereal for less than half price. I keep it in dollar-store cereal storers and it goes down a treat with my four growing kids. I can't believe I didn't figure this out sooner! :o)
- Contributed by Michelle, Marangaroo, 1st March 2009
- Contributed by Michelle, Marangaroo, 1st March 2009
No Mess Porridge
Save energy, time and frustration. Do you hate the porridge boiling over in the microwave while you're busy getting the kids ready for school? Every evening make up a thermos of porridge. In the morning the porridge is cooked and ready to eat. If you like it piping hot, just heat in the microwave for a short time to suit.
- Contributed by Liz, Port Macquarie, 1st August 2008
- Contributed by Liz, Port Macquarie, 1st August 2008
Gourmet Porridge for Winter Warmth
With winter approaching I normally buy the sachets of porridge, but they are quite expensive. So I decided to make my own for a fraction of the cost. Simply measure out a third of a cup of quick oats (Homebrand is fine) into individual freezer bags and add in your favourite flavours such as chopped dried apple and cinnamon, sultanas and finely chopped dates and my ultimate favourite - choc chip and Milo (!). Get the kids involved in making them... tie up the freezer bags and store in the pantry. Costs a fraction of the store bought sachets.. and heaps more fun.
- Contributed by Elizabeth, Runcorn, 25th May 2008
- Contributed by Elizabeth, Runcorn, 25th May 2008
Waffling on to Save
I was shocked to see the price of very small Belgian waffles in the shop last evening for almost $3 and some packets of small square white flour, lifeless waffles for almost $4. Delicious healthy waffles can be made for pennies. I prefer the Sunbeam or Breville Waffle makers in that order. The recipe is so simple 1C wholemeal flour, 1C oatmeal, 1C left overs of almost any sort (I was impressed by another tip in this months news letter about blending up vegetables and using them in other dishes) 2 tbsp oil, 1tsp salt and enough water to blend into a pancake like batter that can be easily poured into the waffle iron. (3/4C batter per waffle) Cook for 7 minutes. These can be frozen and then cut in half and warmed in the at any time. Much healthier than most bread and can be used for savoury or sweet.
- Contributed by Bud, Upper Ferntree Gully, 5th March 2008
- Contributed by Bud, Upper Ferntree Gully, 5th March 2008
Cinnamon Toast
My family loves cinnamon sugar on toast buying it ready made is very expensive so I just mix my own using cinnamon and caster sugar for less than half price.
- Contributed by Kerri, Caloundra, 6th March 2008
- Contributed by Kerri, Caloundra, 6th March 2008
Save on Breakfast Cereals
Approximate $ Savings: $2/week The fancy brands (my favourite is granola style or muesli) cost a lot more than the plainer choices. They are also often more full of sugar etc. For a healthier, more economical alternative I buy the expensive brand (on special) and mix it with a generic brand bran cereal or good old 'weet biscuits' cereal (crushed up). Makes it go further, the kids love it and it is a healthier alternative to the fancy cereals on their own. Still tastes good and is better for you!
-Contributed by Wendy, Ashfield, 29th March 2007
-Contributed by Wendy, Ashfield, 29th March 2007
Beaut Breakfast Muesli
Approximate $ Savings: $3/wk My three children love muesli but it can be quite expensive (especially since they eat so much!) To save money I make my own. I just mix rolled oats, shredded coconut, processed bran, sultanas and any other dried fruit the kids want together and viola! .... muesli. It is a lot cheaper than buying it, the kids can help and, if I run out I just make more :)
- Contributed by Narelle, Goonellabah, February 15th 2007
- Contributed by Narelle, Goonellabah, February 15th 2007
Pancake and Pikelet Mix
My 5 kids (and hubby) are pancake lovers, the pancake shake ready mix costs about $2.40 for 1 - and is never enough for my family. I now buy Green's Traditional Pancake and Pikelet Mix in a Carton, which has 2 sachets inside and goes a long way for everybody with leftovers and only costs $1.98! How can you beat that?
- Contributed by Linette, Berwick, May 17th 2005
- Contributed by Linette, Berwick, May 17th 2005
Lite n Tasty Food Budgeting
My husband loves those expensive "lite and tasty" cereals that are expensive at around $6 a box, and light, so that he eats an entire bowl to fill him up. Now I mix these cereals with supermarket brand processed wheat bran at just a couple of dollars a packet. This not only doubles the quantity, but is good for him and fills him up too!
- Contributed by Tara, The Basin, October 14th 2006
- Contributed by Tara, The Basin, October 14th 2006
Your own Boost Juice
I love the Boost Juice bars but don't like paying $5 for a drink. So I worked out how to make them myself. When the fruit that you like is in season freeze a supply and then buy yoghurt when it is on special and freeze it into ice cube tray. You will need to have a blender that can blend ice for this as well. Take your mango (I like Mango ones of these), a handful of yoghurt frozen cubes, a handful of ice and a slurp of mango nectar and a frozen banana (you know those bananas you throw in the freezer when they are on their way out). Blend in your blender and there you have it they are the awesome the yummiest drinks ever. I think they beat all the juice bars hands down and they are cheap as.
- Contributed by Glenyss, Worongary, October 26th, 2005
- Contributed by Glenyss, Worongary, October 26th, 2005
Ready to Eat Porridge
My youngest son just loves porridge in the mornings so to keep him happy and save my time, I make up batches of "ready to heat and eat" sultana porridge. Using empty margarine containers, I make up this recipe: 1/2 cup instant oats, 1/2 cup water, 1/3 cup or a handful of sultanas and 1 tsp. of cinnamon. Put the oats, sultanas and cinnamon in the container, mix it up and add the water. Snap on the lid and put it in the refrigerator. In the morning he has his porridge ready to microwave and eat. You can heat it up in the microwave or eat it cold right out of the fridge (I can t but TG can!) Just stir it up and eat it! Plenty of fibre and there is no need to add sugar as it has a naturally sweet taste from the sultanas and cinnamon. The oats and the sultanas absorb much of the water just like the expensive pre-packaged stuff! Make up several at once have them ready for a quick and healthy breakfast for the rest of the week!
Pancake Shake
For anyone who buys those pancake shake bottles, add an extra 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water. The pancakes turn out a little thinner, but it makes at least twice as many and they taste just as good!
- Contributed by Melanie, June 13th, 2004
- Contributed by Melanie, June 13th, 2004
Pancakes in a Hurry
You can make less expensive pancakes than packaged or frozen ones. Just cook up a big batch of them and freeze in stacks, with silicone or greaseproof paper between them, in plastic wrap. For those quick breakfasts, just pop them in the microwave for a few seconds.
Instant Porridge
You know the little packets of instant oatmeal that children love and that cost so much? Try this: mix five parts rolled oats to one part brown sugar (or less if desired). Add a little Cinnamon. Each night, mix a serving bowl of this oat mixture with milk and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, microwave about 90 seconds. You can add other goodies, too, if you want, such as chopped apples, dried apricots, nuts, etc. Or try it topped with a little vanilla yoghurt - delicious, nutritious and really, really cheap.
- Contributed by Cath Armstrong
- Contributed by Cath Armstrong
For Instant Porridge Lovers
If you really like the variety of flavours and convenience of instant porridge but find it expensive when buying for a family, try making your own. Buy the family-size rolled oats (not quick oats) and use your crock-pot! We do this and it tastes great! Measure into your crock-pot the normal ratio of one-cup oats to two cups water. We add cinnamon (about a teaspoon to every triple batch) and sometimes some dried apple or sliced fresh apple. Turn the crock-pot on low for about eight hours (overnight) and wake up knowing breakfast is already taken care of in a very yummy way. We have also added brown sugar when in the mood. Or perhaps use golden or maple syrup as a substitute. This is by far our best breakfast when considering savings, convenience and nutritional content.
Extra Nutrition
To any recipe that uses flour add 1 tablespoon of the following: powdered milk, soy flour, and wheat germ. For bread this addition makes "Super Bread"- with the nutrition that is needed daily. Received this information from a Hospice Nurse a few years ago - every time I make bread I add these ingredients and the whole family eats my double bread batch in just a few days. This can be used in piecrusts and cakes with great success
All Day Coffee
Whatever happened to the good old-fashioned thermos bottles? If you like freshly brewed coffee, make it in the morning and then put it in a thermos. No need to keep re-heating and getting that stale burned coffee flavour with the constant re-heating. Coffee can stay hot in a good thermos for about six hours