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Latest Tips & Recipes oCTOBER 2022
Here you'll find the latest tips and recipes added to the Tip Store and Recipe File during October 2022
Double the Yoghurt (and Less Sweet)
I find the flavoured yoghurt made from powder (e.g. Easiyo) much too sweet and also quite expensive to make just 1 litre.
The following tip creates 1 litre of a mildly sweet and tangy yoghurt for half the price, even less if the powder is bought when on special.
1. Weigh out half the flavoured powder.
2. Top up with skim milk powder and/or full cream milk powder to the weight noted on the packet.
3. Make the yoghurt as normal in your yoghurt maker, leaving it a bit longer if necessary (I also wrap my simple yoghurt maker in a blanket to keep it warmer longer, which seems to help with the tang and the firmness).
4. Once ready, whisk the yoghurt well to stop liquid separating out of the yoghurt over time.
5. Store the yoghurt in the fridge.
Depending on your taste, you could also just use 1/3 of the flavoured powder and 2/3 of milk powder. Enjoy!
Contributed by Nanette McCallum
The following tip creates 1 litre of a mildly sweet and tangy yoghurt for half the price, even less if the powder is bought when on special.
1. Weigh out half the flavoured powder.
2. Top up with skim milk powder and/or full cream milk powder to the weight noted on the packet.
3. Make the yoghurt as normal in your yoghurt maker, leaving it a bit longer if necessary (I also wrap my simple yoghurt maker in a blanket to keep it warmer longer, which seems to help with the tang and the firmness).
4. Once ready, whisk the yoghurt well to stop liquid separating out of the yoghurt over time.
5. Store the yoghurt in the fridge.
Depending on your taste, you could also just use 1/3 of the flavoured powder and 2/3 of milk powder. Enjoy!
Contributed by Nanette McCallum
Saving Electricity While Cooking a Roast
Sear your roast for 10 to 15 minutes in the oven. Pop your seasonings on roast. I use a Smart Oven (now 5 years old and a good energy saver) but you can do it in your normal oven - then when you take your roast out - lamb, pork, beef - you can pop something in to finish drying - i.e. herbs, Zwieback bread, thin-sliced fruit. Next pop your crockpot on low for 8 hours with the roast inside and on top of whole carrots and whole medium potatoes. No oils necessary - straight in with extra herbs i.e. rosemary for the lamb etc. The roast will fall apart in tenderness and deliciousness, and saves energy as well as time.
Contributed by Deborah Hunter Kells
Contributed by Deborah Hunter Kells
Save All Receipts, and Check Them, to Save Money
So far this month I have been overcharged four times by supermarkets. The first was an overcharge on 3 avocados. The store refused to give me the first item for free and then adjust to the correct price for the other two.
The second was the same store, fruit was the incorrect weight. I was charged for half a kilo for one apple! I was repaid the overcharged amount. No free item!
The third was 2 packets of tea priced at $7.20 each. I was charged $8.20. I returned to the store and got the first packet for free, and the second for the adjusted correct price.
The fourth was today. I bought two kiwi fruit and saw on the docket they were both the same weight so queried it and ask for a re-weigh of the item. Yes the checkout person had charged me twice. I got it for free.
Australian National Retailers Assn Consumer Law 02 82494520 states that if an item is scanned at a higher price than shown on the shelf or advertised, then the consumer is entitled to receive the FIRST item for FREE and all other items at the lower price.
Exceptions are liquor, tobacco, items without a bar code or over $50 in value.
Despite what the store may tell you, it is not necessary for the customer to have left the store or to have paid for the item, to get the first item for free.
Any problems phone the above number...or ask to see a supervisor. Keep a screen shot of your rights on your phone in case of a problem.
Yes keeping my receipts and checking them has saved me heaps of money as the error is always against the consumer.
Contributed by Carolyn Fox
The second was the same store, fruit was the incorrect weight. I was charged for half a kilo for one apple! I was repaid the overcharged amount. No free item!
The third was 2 packets of tea priced at $7.20 each. I was charged $8.20. I returned to the store and got the first packet for free, and the second for the adjusted correct price.
The fourth was today. I bought two kiwi fruit and saw on the docket they were both the same weight so queried it and ask for a re-weigh of the item. Yes the checkout person had charged me twice. I got it for free.
Australian National Retailers Assn Consumer Law 02 82494520 states that if an item is scanned at a higher price than shown on the shelf or advertised, then the consumer is entitled to receive the FIRST item for FREE and all other items at the lower price.
Exceptions are liquor, tobacco, items without a bar code or over $50 in value.
Despite what the store may tell you, it is not necessary for the customer to have left the store or to have paid for the item, to get the first item for free.
Any problems phone the above number...or ask to see a supervisor. Keep a screen shot of your rights on your phone in case of a problem.
Yes keeping my receipts and checking them has saved me heaps of money as the error is always against the consumer.
Contributed by Carolyn Fox
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Ingredients:
4 tbsp butter
1/2 cup diced celery
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves fresh garlic, crushed
1/2 cup grated carrot
4 cups chicken stock
1-1/2 tsp corn flour
2 sprigs fresh thyme, finely chopped (or 1 tesp dried thyme)
500g gnocchi (fresh or frozen)
2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (can also use a rotisserie chicken)
2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
2 cups cream
Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Method:
In a large heavy bottomed pot (like a dutch oven), melt the butter and add the celery, onion, garlic and carrots. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. In a small bowl, mix the corn flour and a couple of tablespoons of the chicken stock. Add corn flour mixture to the vegetable mixture in the pot. Slowly whisk in the remaining chicken stock and add the sprigs of thyme. Bring the mixture to a simmer and then add the gnocchi and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until gnocchi are cooked through and have risen to the top. Add the chicken and spinach and cook till the spinach is wilted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly add the cream, while stirring, and heat till just hot but not boiling. Add salt and pepper as needed, to taste. Serve with garlic bread.
4 tbsp butter
1/2 cup diced celery
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves fresh garlic, crushed
1/2 cup grated carrot
4 cups chicken stock
1-1/2 tsp corn flour
2 sprigs fresh thyme, finely chopped (or 1 tesp dried thyme)
500g gnocchi (fresh or frozen)
2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (can also use a rotisserie chicken)
2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
2 cups cream
Salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
Method:
In a large heavy bottomed pot (like a dutch oven), melt the butter and add the celery, onion, garlic and carrots. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. In a small bowl, mix the corn flour and a couple of tablespoons of the chicken stock. Add corn flour mixture to the vegetable mixture in the pot. Slowly whisk in the remaining chicken stock and add the sprigs of thyme. Bring the mixture to a simmer and then add the gnocchi and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until gnocchi are cooked through and have risen to the top. Add the chicken and spinach and cook till the spinach is wilted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly add the cream, while stirring, and heat till just hot but not boiling. Add salt and pepper as needed, to taste. Serve with garlic bread.
Keeping Marsupials Out of the Garden
If you notice some damage to your crops, and suspect rats, possums, etc., you can spread chilli powder on the soil around the plant. You need to be consistent and replace the powder when it disappears, but it is a really good organic way to protect your fruit and veg. This only works with animals, it doesn't bother insects and birds, because like us, they don't want a mouth full of it.
Contributed by Charise Morris
Contributed by Charise Morris
Free Food for Christmas
I grocery shop mainly at Woolworths, and I save all my $10 rewards until I shop for food for Christmas. So far I have $110 saved this year, so my Christmas food will cost me next to nothing!
Contributed by Wendy Baker
Contributed by Wendy Baker
Simple Saving for Christmas
At the beginning of every year, I work out how much I want to spend on presents for next Christmas, and I put aside $50 or $100 per fortnight pay. When I get to October, my Christmas budget is saved and ready to go.
Contributed by Wendy Baker
Contributed by Wendy Baker
No Waste Seasoned Herb Salt
You may want a cost-effective way to make sure you use all your dried herbs without wasting any. Get a herb container with largish holes and pop your salt in periodically mixed with different herbs in different proportions as you wish. This gets used up in no time with no waste in your pantry ready to buy up to date herbs.
Contributed by Deborah Hunter Kells
Contributed by Deborah Hunter Kells
MOO Fairy Spray
This cheap easy cleaner will clean dishes, greasy pots and pans, glass, counter tops, cook tops and many more. Fill a spray bottle with a small amount of washing up detergent, a squirt of alcohol. I use Isocol from supermarket and top up with water. That's it. It works the same as the spray Fairy detergent, but costs very little to make your own.
Contributed by Sharon Pauley
Contributed by Sharon Pauley