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Tip Store: Cooking: For One
Freezer Meals for 1 or 2
When I cook dinner, I freeze a portion or two in freezer to oven glass containers (I prefer no plastic in microwave). I take these for lunch at work or meal for 1.
What works best are some of these meals:
Dal and rice (knob of butter)
Spag Bolognese or meatballs
Beef rendang and rice (use an internet recipe)
My Dal recipe:
Use 2 -3 different dals (2 cups total), soak in water about 3 hours or overnight. In pressure cooker, add soaked dal (no water), cover with fresh water at least 2" above level of dal, then add 1 tbsp. cumin seeds, 1 tsp fenugreek seeds, 2 tsp turmeric, 4 large cloves of chopped garlic, 1 tbsp salt. Stir and pressure cook for 10 mins on low after the whistle. If vegan, add Nuttelex when serving, or you can add butter. Cook basmati or jasmine rice.
Portion the dal (once cooled) and rice on top (this way the dal does not splutter in the microwave), tuck in a blob of butter and freeze. When its time to eat, if you can, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and pop in microwave. But you can directly take from freezer and microwave too (just takes longer). You have a lovely hot nourishing healthy inexpensive meal -- ta da!
Contributed by Vaz Deacs
What works best are some of these meals:
Dal and rice (knob of butter)
Spag Bolognese or meatballs
Beef rendang and rice (use an internet recipe)
My Dal recipe:
Use 2 -3 different dals (2 cups total), soak in water about 3 hours or overnight. In pressure cooker, add soaked dal (no water), cover with fresh water at least 2" above level of dal, then add 1 tbsp. cumin seeds, 1 tsp fenugreek seeds, 2 tsp turmeric, 4 large cloves of chopped garlic, 1 tbsp salt. Stir and pressure cook for 10 mins on low after the whistle. If vegan, add Nuttelex when serving, or you can add butter. Cook basmati or jasmine rice.
Portion the dal (once cooled) and rice on top (this way the dal does not splutter in the microwave), tuck in a blob of butter and freeze. When its time to eat, if you can, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and pop in microwave. But you can directly take from freezer and microwave too (just takes longer). You have a lovely hot nourishing healthy inexpensive meal -- ta da!
Contributed by Vaz Deacs
Shop at NQR First
Is there an NQR store near you?
I generally do my first shop at NQR, then go to Aldi and that has markedly reduced my shopping. NQR has 3 packets of brown rice crackers for $1.00! Very good value. We're now down to $80 a fortnight for myself, my fiance and our daughter. Oh - I should mention we're vegetarian. That also greatly reduced our grocery bill when we transitioned.
Contributed by Hana de Wit, 13th January 2018
I generally do my first shop at NQR, then go to Aldi and that has markedly reduced my shopping. NQR has 3 packets of brown rice crackers for $1.00! Very good value. We're now down to $80 a fortnight for myself, my fiance and our daughter. Oh - I should mention we're vegetarian. That also greatly reduced our grocery bill when we transitioned.
Contributed by Hana de Wit, 13th January 2018
We all know, when times are tough.... They're TOUGH!!
No need to panic or let it get you down, if you know where to look, you can find all the help, guidance & assistance you need!! It depends where you live as to your best option but my best suggestion is look for 'not for profit' organisations such as:
Plus if you choose to, you could also volunteer for any of the above to meet new people & learn of new tips & pointers all while giving back to the community :)
Contributed by Natalie Laffin, 13th January 2018
- Second Harvest, they have a (very) low cost supermarket for healthcare card or pension card holders. Plus they donate food hampers.
- OzHarvest have market days and food drives.
- The Salvation Army offer financial counselling to assist you with budgeting on your income & food vouchers. As do UnitingCare West, Anglicare, St Patrick's Community Support Centre. And loads more.
Plus if you choose to, you could also volunteer for any of the above to meet new people & learn of new tips & pointers all while giving back to the community :)
Contributed by Natalie Laffin, 13th January 2018
Checklist for Meal Planning as a Single
Go to the shops early and check on the reductions. Bread is reduced by the merchandisers and still has plenty of use left; as you are on your own freeze it, it will last for ages. Look at the meat department and purchase joints which you can cut up into steaks. This will allow you to pick your own size serve. Veggies are also sold cheaply, but they must be used quickly. From now on purchase all your clothes from the op shops, you would be surprised by the bargains you can get.
Keep a keen eye on the petrol prices and only fill up when the price is low (ours went up by 25 cents yesterday). Cook extra meals and freeze them. You only have to cook once, don't lose the microwave as this is your best tool. Use public transport where possible more savings, especially if you have a concession pass.
Contributed by Clive Ward, 11th January 2018
Keep a keen eye on the petrol prices and only fill up when the price is low (ours went up by 25 cents yesterday). Cook extra meals and freeze them. You only have to cook once, don't lose the microwave as this is your best tool. Use public transport where possible more savings, especially if you have a concession pass.
Contributed by Clive Ward, 11th January 2018
Use Free Resources at Your Local Library for Meal Planning
If you able to get to a library to use their computers there are so many recipe sites you could look at and print out some recipes. Also a Current Affair quite often has articles with budget but wholesome recipe ideas that you could download and print out.
Contributed by June Brown, 11th January 2018
Contributed by June Brown, 11th January 2018
Access Foodbank Resources - They're Meant for You!
Most towns now have a food bank of sorts, all you need is your pension card (or equivalent) and you can get a box or trolley of groceries (very good quality) for a very small amount of money. Don't feel bad about using these sorts of services as they are there for people in exactly your sort of circumstance and can also lead you to any other services you made need i.e. electricity , rent , water etc. Also look for free financial advice about budgeting etc. First for meal planning , do an inventory of your fridge, freezer, pantry and see what meals you can make from them; you don't need a computer or anything fancy, scrap paper will do. Then just list what you'll have each day according to your inventory, more than likely you'll just need to shop for a few basics. You don't need to do lunches or breakfast as they are relatively easy, just do your main meal. You don't need meat every night, pasta dishes can be cheap and very filling; nothing wrong with toasted sandwiches or scrambled eggs either. Please reach out and ask for help (local churches, St Vincent's, Salvos, local council, library etc. are a good place to start) until you can get back on your feet, at this time going it alone with all the stress isn't the way to go. Once again please reach out, you needn't be alone in this, get some support.
Contributed by Helen Smith, 11th January 2018
Contributed by Helen Smith, 11th January 2018
Self-Catering at Uni
I know when my daughter was in the same position everyone simply looked after their own buying of food, cooking etc. They were all in and out at different times and had their own sections in the frig and kitchen cupboards.
Contributed by Kathy Coulter, 21st February 2014
Contributed by Kathy Coulter, 21st February 2014
Sharing Household Expenses
When I shared a house with others we all paid an amount of money that covered regular groceries and cleaning products. We purchased our own meat and fish, which was separate to the amount paid for our groceries. It worked well for us.
Contributed by Evol Lancaster, 20th February 2014
Contributed by Evol Lancaster, 20th February 2014
Slow Cooking for Uni
Introduce your son and his friends to slow cooking. You can buy them (slow cookers) quite reasonably now, most come with a cook book and there are plenty of recipes and tips online. A lamb roast in the cooker is easy, no mess or fuss and feeds many. Lamb legs are cheap at the moment, i.e. Tasman meats. Maybe inviting yourself to teach a few easy meals with breakdown on costs will tempt them to all participate. This will also help them to get to know each other!
Contributed by Trish Cooper, 20th February 2014
Contributed by Trish Cooper, 20th February 2014
Regarding Pooling Resources for Uni Campus
"Don't pool funds". Really, don't believe it will work out too fairly. People all have different appetites and some will eat more than others. Which means your son could potentially end up paying for someone else's food bill and your son misses out on his share. Have lived in share accommodation for roughly 5 years in the past. Pay for your own food, cook your own food and eat your own food, will definitely work out the fairest. My share house mates were happy to do the same, except for one housemate who felt her and her boyfriend could help themselves to my food/alcohol and clothes while I was at work. Though thankfully this situation didn't last long as the original share housemate who had the lease saw what was happening and evicted her and her boyfriend not long after. Lol, anyways don't uni students live on noodles these days......cheap to buy and easy to cook?
Contributed by Karen McNamara, 20th February 2014
Contributed by Karen McNamara, 20th February 2014
Under the Bed Pantry
I'd suggest that your son keep a plastic box under his bed with non refrigerated/frozen food in it, i.e. a dry store and minimal in the "communal kitchen", unless he's happy to feed everyone else that is. Unfortunately no matter how well it starts out it will end up with "people" eating others' food and not replacing or contributing to the stock. Costing you or your son even more to restock. Good luck and congrats on your son getting into uni.
Contributed by Belinda Rice, 20th February 2014
Contributed by Belinda Rice, 20th February 2014
Prepare Meals at Home for Campus Cooking
My daughter lives on campus with seven other people, they each take care of their own food. She likes to eat healthy so she prepares meals at home, freezes them into one portion sizes e.g. pasta sauce, spaghetti Bolognese, taco sauce and different casseroles or curries. I try to make something a bit different on Sunday night so she can take the leftovers for Monday lunch or dinner. Mostly all she has to do on campus is cook noodles or rice and add to the main meal. She says it can be hectic with everyone cooking at once and not everyone is clean in the kitchen or cleans up after themselves. The thing she found hard is that some of them don't cook and they all go and get takeaway which hurts the hips and the hip pocket. Remember to think about lunches as well as sometimes there is no time between classes to go home and eat something.
Contributed by Marina Gangoiti, 20th February 2014
Contributed by Marina Gangoiti, 20th February 2014
Your Friend is the Freezer!
When I was at uni and living on campus, I lived in a large block with communal facilities. However, teaming up with even just one person can help with your grocery bill. Not everyone wants to pool grocery money (food allergies and intolerances are the main reasons why), however if you can team up with even one person, you essentially double your grocery spend. They just need to work out if there's any foods they won't compromise brands on (I'm a 100% Cruskits only girl. No substitutes!). They key is small portions of meat, freezing heaps, saving leftovers and investing in some good quality food containers. I'd probably suggest getting in touch with a Tupperware demonstrator and getting your son some Heat 'n' Eats, as they can go from the freezer to the fridge to the microwave. They also have the lifetime warranty. Give them to him as a going away gift. Or look on eBay for some, they're absolutely amazing. If he's not much of a cook (which I wasn't when I left home), get him some basic cookbooks. My mum gave me a lot of cookbooks aimed at kids (embarrassing, I know!) but they were fantastic. Things like lasagne, risotto, chilli con carne and stews are great. Mince is relatively cheap, and they can add veggies to lasagnes to bulk them out. I'd also recommend using frozen veggies, purely because they keep for so much longer. Also, nearly all unis have facilities for students to reheat their lunch, usually provided by student services in common rooms. And they'll have a few around the campus if it's a big uni.
Contributed by Emily D., 20th February 2014
Contributed by Emily D., 20th February 2014
Easy Cooking in Uni Digs
I found these tips for cooking entire meals in your coffee machine while I was at uni and found them to be quite useful: http://www.cookingwithyourcoffeemaker.com/ I would also suggest that the students cook one huge meal in a slow cooker and freeze it in single serve portions - you can buy a $25 slow cooker and a bunch of Chinese takeaway containers at KMart and then cook 6 litres of curry or spag bol or chilli con carne and freeze them. Remind them to add frozen spinach and beans/lentils/chickpeas to enrich the food and make a bit of meat stretch out further. They may even be able to host cool movie and curry nights, microwave up some pappadums and throw on some Red Dwarf or similarly curry-tastic shows. Best of luck at uni!
Contributed by Sandra Darling, 24th February 2014
Website: http://www.cookingwithyourcoffeemaker.com
Contributed by Sandra Darling, 24th February 2014
Website: http://www.cookingwithyourcoffeemaker.com
Cooking for One or a Crowd, Find Recipes Easily
That beautiful website www.taste.com.au has some great meals in 'Coking for one' and 'Cooking for a crowd' which I use a lot because here in the village (over 55's) we hold lunches and dinners to keep everyone happy. We don't charge much either. About $7 for dinner and dessert. We earn extra money by holding raffles. then we can keep the prices down.
Contributed by Sheila Dixon, 16th June 2010
Website: www.taste.com.au
Contributed by Sheila Dixon, 16th June 2010
Website: www.taste.com.au
Multi Cooking for One
Approximate $ Savings: $25 a week or more
I spent many frustrated evenings trying to convert recipes from four serves to one. I would shop and end up with food not all used and getting thrown out at the end of the week. Such a waste of money. I researched the library and book shops to buy a book of recipes for one and there are not many on the market or a huge variety. I decided I had to find a way to save money, time, waste and still have delicious meals. Now I find recipes I really like that are four serves and I shop and cook for four. I have one meal that night and freeze the other three for the next three weeks. Now I have no food wastage, I have a collection of different meals in the freezer which can be rotated and a choice of what I feel like that night. My shopping bill has lowered because of no waste and my meal choice has increased up to a month at a time. I am collecting favourite recipes to add to my collection to give me a variety of choices so I don't get sick of the same meal two nights in a row, just to use up ingredients and I have no dollars going into the bin. My shopping list is now food that is all used and I save about $25 a week sometimes more by not throwing things out. I also spend much less time in the kitchen cooking. When I have a day where I am completely exhausted I go to the freezer and choose a meal from my collection and use my precious extra time having a soak in the bath or reading a good book. Multi cooking is definitely the way to go for singles.
Contributed by Emma, Whittlesea, 6th February 2010
I spent many frustrated evenings trying to convert recipes from four serves to one. I would shop and end up with food not all used and getting thrown out at the end of the week. Such a waste of money. I researched the library and book shops to buy a book of recipes for one and there are not many on the market or a huge variety. I decided I had to find a way to save money, time, waste and still have delicious meals. Now I find recipes I really like that are four serves and I shop and cook for four. I have one meal that night and freeze the other three for the next three weeks. Now I have no food wastage, I have a collection of different meals in the freezer which can be rotated and a choice of what I feel like that night. My shopping bill has lowered because of no waste and my meal choice has increased up to a month at a time. I am collecting favourite recipes to add to my collection to give me a variety of choices so I don't get sick of the same meal two nights in a row, just to use up ingredients and I have no dollars going into the bin. My shopping list is now food that is all used and I save about $25 a week sometimes more by not throwing things out. I also spend much less time in the kitchen cooking. When I have a day where I am completely exhausted I go to the freezer and choose a meal from my collection and use my precious extra time having a soak in the bath or reading a good book. Multi cooking is definitely the way to go for singles.
Contributed by Emma, Whittlesea, 6th February 2010
Rice for One
Even though I live alone, when cooking rice I make a big batch. After my meal I store the remaining rice in lots of 100gms in plastic zip lock sandwich bags and store in the freezer. To add rice to my meal I simply have to unseal the bag and heat in the microwave for a few minutes - easy and saves boiling a whole pan of water each time.
Contributed by Rebecca, Subiaco, December 25th 2006
Contributed by Rebecca, Subiaco, December 25th 2006