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Latest Tips & Recipes December 2022

Here you'll find the latest tips and recipes added to the Tip Store and Recipe File during December 2022

The Shopping List Message

​I am sure I am not the only one this happens to. My list is written out and when I get to the shops, I either can not find it or left it at home. I recently observed that for my what's app I could message myself. So now I put my shopping list as a message for myself. Just need to remember my phone!
Contributed by Ann Green

​The Little Flavour Sachets are Basically Stock Cubes! 

Use the veggie packets wherever you might have used frozen veg, but give it a little time to rehydrate - such as soups, stews or even in a spag bol! But if you're constantly not using the flavour/veggie packets from the noodles, you can get un-flavoured plain ramen noodles from the Asian section of Woolies/Coles; cheaper and you won't end up with another stash!
Contributed by Kate B.

​So Many Ways to Use Flavour Sachets

These are great for gravy, soups, mince for tacos, sprinkled on roast meats and even on roast vegies as you cook them. You could also add them to homemade dips, devilled eggs, potato salad or ratatouille 
Contributed by Lynda Phillips

​Fried Rice Flavour Boost

I save these little sachets to use when I make fried rice especially the chicken ones. I also use them to sprinkle on pumpkin with olive oil before I bake it in the oven.
Contributed by Annette Roberts

​Handy Flavour Sachets for Mug Soup and Camping

I love using these where ever I would use stock powder i.e. as base for mug soups, package of each and hot water/milk; on roast veggie; to flavour rice or meat loaf or casseroles. They are also perfect for travelling, especially camping where you don't want to bring big containers of things.
Contributed by Di Watson

Match the Sachet to the Meal

​I use these sachets when making Asian meals, soups, sauces and gravies.
Pick your meal sauces and match. Never throw away, they will always match a meal
Contributed by Jen Nelson

​Perfect Picture Presents

 For Christmas or birthdays, if you have anyone, especially teenagers, that you really don’t know what they want, this is the perfect idea. In a card, glue some pictures of what you think they might like, or you want to give them, and sticky tape some money into the card. Write a little explanation, e.g. ‘ I thought you might like a new dress/ shoes/ bag/ computer game, but I wasn’t sure if you have a new one, or if you would like something else, so here is some money towards what you would like.' The money is not the new idea, but the pictures really let someone know you really have been trying to think of a present they would like… you have put in the effort, and that’s what shows you really do care, and it means you can talk about the picture present you chose.
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday:)
Contributed by Denise Scotford

​Easy Pavlova

Ingredients:
4 egg whites
1-1/4 cups caster sugar
1 tsp vinegar
1 tbsp cornflour
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp boiling water

Method:
Preheat oven to 140 degrees Celsius, or 120 degrees Celsius if fan forced.
Put everything into bowl and beat until stiff peaks form.
Put onto baking paper and cook for about 1-1/2 hours.
Contributed by Rae Moody

Rehydrate Sachet Veggies

We save all the little veggie packets from 2 minute noodles and when we have enough, they get tossed into a pot of boiling water and rehydrated for a side of veg with a main meal instead of using regular frozen veg. The kids can't tell the difference. The flavour sachets can be used anytime a recipe calls for stock powder, just measure and add to your recipe and away you go.
Contributed by Joanne Sangwell

​Flavour Sachets Season Patties

I would pop any flavour sachets or veggie sachets I don't use in the noodles in soup, casseroles, patties or anything to add flavour.
Contributed by Sandra Axon

​Swap Flavour Sachets for Stock Powder

I use the flavour sachets wherever I would normally use stock powder, usually soups and casseroles. With the veggie sachets, I normally just toss them into casseroles etc.
Contributed by Stephanie O'Neill

Moreish Crumb Bars

Ingredients:
6 cups cereal crumbs - the leftovers in the bottom of the bag of ricies or Sultana Bran or Weet-bix etc. 
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup choc chips
125g butter

Method:
Melt the peanut butter, sugar and butter. Mix into the cereal crumbs. Add the choc chips. Quickly press into a baking paper lined slice tin. Press down firmly. Put in fridge to set (allow at least two hours).

​To Reuse Cereal Bags

As I'm a single person, I found that cereals (eg: Cornflakes etc.) would be not as good as when opened. After a few tries I find that the sealer saves me throwing food away.. If you have a food sealer, these bags are good to vacuum seal in the case of excess cereal, or in fact to use to seal other food, as the bags are "Food Safe".
Contributed by Lyle Noonan

Cool Cook Christmas Pudding

My son took over making the Christmas pudding when his grandmother died. He makes her recipe, lets it rest overnight in the buttered ceramic bowl covered with bake paper tied with string, then in the slow cooker on a trivet with water up to base of bowl, then on low for 8 hours or so. Usually pops it on as they rise and then it's ready for a late lunch. Just lovely, no hot house and set and forget.
Contributed by Irene Wilkinson

Re-imagine Your House to Find Free Space

​With minimal space, I was struggling to find somewhere to store regular pantry and other dry items, let alone any extras bought on special. Looking around our house, inspiration struck when I realised our unused entrance hall is roughly the same size as a butler's pantry and is located next to the open plan kitchen/family/meals area.......so, one $10 marketplace shelf and a vintage kitchen cupboard that was residing in the garage later, dry goods are sorted into glass jars & storage tubs, pre-packed cans and bottles are in the cupboard and a whiteboard is on the wall where a picture was hanging....for inventory purposes, of course. Cost = $10, result = priceless. 
Contributed by Felicity Kaye

​Best 1-Pan Creamy Pasta

(Can be vegan friendly - with infinite variations)
Ingredients:
* 4 tbsp dripping (saved from cooked meat) or butter or ghee or oil of preference
* 4 stock cubes + 4 cups/1L/1000g water
* 2 cups milk (fresh, reconstituted, dairy, vegan or whatever you prefer)
* 1x 500g pkt pasta of choice (elbows, spirals, penne, broken up spaghetti - whatever you have)
* Garlic to taste, dehydrated, fresh... whatever you have on hand

Method
Put all ingredients into a large (30cm) sauté pan, or other suitable large saucepan. Bring to boil stirring, reduce to low, cover and simmer 18-20 minutes (stirring occasionally) until cooked to your preference.

Priced at 1 November 2022, Coles, Glenelg SA

$0.00 Meat dripping
$0.40 Stock cubes ($2 for pkt of 21)
$0.75 Milk
$0.80 500g Pkt Pasta
$0.10 Garlic powder

$2.05 TOTAL COST

This recipe feeds 4 generous servings and satisfies 2 adults and two teenagers!

Make it your own by adding any home grown veg and pantry canned meat. Or leftover meat from a roast. Or skip the meat and use TVP.

Add some grated cheese at the end, just before serving, for mac'n'cheese cheaper (and healthier) than the box.

This can be made successfully with gluten free pasta (make sure you ONLY use the rice+maize/corn variety add I haven't tested it using any other type).

Add spices for a curry, or any other complementary flavour you prefer!

Make it once and you'll be absolutely adding it to your roster.

And it can be made with 100% shelf stable ingredients, so it's perfect for camping, or prepping.
Contributed by Vashti Wood