Sentry Page Protection
Tip Store: Cooking: Lunches
Easy Pasties and Apple Pies
I recently bought a Mistral Pastry Chef Maker. I bought it as it reminded me of the toasted sandwich maker my parents had when I was a teenager. We sometimes used it to make our 'Hot Apple Pies." I decided to share my tip as I just saw your recipe for Beef and Vegetable Pasties.
We had left over chicken pie filling and I made pasties out of this using my new Pastry Chef Maker. To make four pasties, you need one sheet of frozen puff pastry. Once it has thawed, I fold it in half to make it easier for me to cut it in half. Once the Chef Pastry Maker is turned on, I use a silicon brush to lightly brush on olive oil (any cooking oil will do). When the green light comes on, I place half the pastry on the bottom half of the Pastry Chef Maker, place my filling onto the pastry, then place the other half of the pastry on top, close the lid, and secure the latch at the front. It cooks for about eight to twelve minutes. If the pastry is not golden brown, leave for a few extra minutes. There is no turning on the oven, the pastry is golden brown and crunchy, and there is no leftover puff pastry. I had stewed apples in the freezer. Once these were thawed, I made my ‘Hot Apple Pies’. The instructions do point out that the filling needs to be precooked and not too watery. When taking the pasties out, I used two silicon spatulas to lift the pasties out as they are stuck together. Once on a board, cut in between each pastie. To reheat left over pasties, I place them under the grill on a medium temperature for about five minutes.
Contributed by Eleanor Prouting
We had left over chicken pie filling and I made pasties out of this using my new Pastry Chef Maker. To make four pasties, you need one sheet of frozen puff pastry. Once it has thawed, I fold it in half to make it easier for me to cut it in half. Once the Chef Pastry Maker is turned on, I use a silicon brush to lightly brush on olive oil (any cooking oil will do). When the green light comes on, I place half the pastry on the bottom half of the Pastry Chef Maker, place my filling onto the pastry, then place the other half of the pastry on top, close the lid, and secure the latch at the front. It cooks for about eight to twelve minutes. If the pastry is not golden brown, leave for a few extra minutes. There is no turning on the oven, the pastry is golden brown and crunchy, and there is no leftover puff pastry. I had stewed apples in the freezer. Once these were thawed, I made my ‘Hot Apple Pies’. The instructions do point out that the filling needs to be precooked and not too watery. When taking the pasties out, I used two silicon spatulas to lift the pasties out as they are stuck together. Once on a board, cut in between each pastie. To reheat left over pasties, I place them under the grill on a medium temperature for about five minutes.
Contributed by Eleanor Prouting
DIY Lunchbox Yoghurt Pouches
My son loves yoghurt, and when he started kindergarten last year he liked to have one in his lunchbox for recess each day. I was buying the Chobani yoghurt pouches from the supermarket and freezing them, but very quickly realised it was costing me $11.25 each week, which you really notice when it's on top of the cost of all the other lunchbox bits!
I recalled how my Nanna always raves about her Easiyo yoghurt maker, and thought I'd get myself one for $20 and have a crack at making it myself. My son loved the first batch (strawberry!), so I knew I was onto a winner. I bought a box of 40 Cherub Baby reusable baby food pouches for $30, and found that one batch of yoghurt (costing $4.50) fills 10 pouches (45c per pouch) - that's two weeks of yoghurt at less than half the cost of one week of store-bought!
So overall, I had an initial outlay of $20 for the yoghurt maker + $30 for the reusable pouches = $50, but have saved $6.75 per week, making back the initial outlay in less than eight weeks!
To top it all off, not only does my son love the yoghurt, but hubby has started to put it on his muesli in the mornings, and our nine-month-old daughter wolfs it down with my homemade fruit purees!
Contributed by Feyruse Blanks, 16th January 2017
I recalled how my Nanna always raves about her Easiyo yoghurt maker, and thought I'd get myself one for $20 and have a crack at making it myself. My son loved the first batch (strawberry!), so I knew I was onto a winner. I bought a box of 40 Cherub Baby reusable baby food pouches for $30, and found that one batch of yoghurt (costing $4.50) fills 10 pouches (45c per pouch) - that's two weeks of yoghurt at less than half the cost of one week of store-bought!
So overall, I had an initial outlay of $20 for the yoghurt maker + $30 for the reusable pouches = $50, but have saved $6.75 per week, making back the initial outlay in less than eight weeks!
To top it all off, not only does my son love the yoghurt, but hubby has started to put it on his muesli in the mornings, and our nine-month-old daughter wolfs it down with my homemade fruit purees!
Contributed by Feyruse Blanks, 16th January 2017
Bake Your Own
I bake vegie and fruit muffins and freeze in freezer bags for the kids to 'pick their own' snacks. I use home grown vegies and add a little cheese and bacon for the savoury ones ( have also been known to use up any left over cooked vegies too and bolognese sauce!) For sweet ones, I use the over ripe bananas, soft apples and bruised fruit. They all cook into muffins very, very well!!! I also like to have pikelets in bags of three in there too. They are super, super cheap to make and defrost in the lunch box perfectly! My kids love picking their own snacks from our freezer!
Contributed by Lee Watson, 25th January 2014
Contributed by Lee Watson, 25th January 2014
Kids School Lunch Orders
When my sons had lunch orders at school, rather than use a brown paper bag or an envelope, I used to get free from the bank plastic coin bags and would write their order on a piece of paper nd put in the coin bag with the change for their lunch.
Great Savings on Sandwich Fillings
Approximate $ Savings: 50% of Grocery budget
Christmas Produce At our local IGA they are throwing out Turkey Buffe and whole Turkey for as little at $4.99 a kg. What a great incentive for lunchbox delights for 2013. Cook the Turkey buffe. Slice the meat and make sandwiches with cream cheese or tasy cheese and leftover cranberry or plum sauce. Place in sandwich bags and pop in a large ice-cream container in the freezer for the beginning of the busy school/work year. On the morning before school/work throw some greenery (cucumber, lettuce, bok/pak choy, Italian parsley etc.) into the bag to balance the meal. ENJOY
- Contributed by Melinda Rau-Wig, 2nd January 2013
Christmas Produce At our local IGA they are throwing out Turkey Buffe and whole Turkey for as little at $4.99 a kg. What a great incentive for lunchbox delights for 2013. Cook the Turkey buffe. Slice the meat and make sandwiches with cream cheese or tasy cheese and leftover cranberry or plum sauce. Place in sandwich bags and pop in a large ice-cream container in the freezer for the beginning of the busy school/work year. On the morning before school/work throw some greenery (cucumber, lettuce, bok/pak choy, Italian parsley etc.) into the bag to balance the meal. ENJOY
- Contributed by Melinda Rau-Wig, 2nd January 2013
Novel Lunchable Container Keeps Mum and Kids Happy
My pre-schooler loves Lunchables (he found out about them at daycare) and will eat everything in one when he has them. Because they are so expensive to buy, and are not that great nutritionally, I bought three small boxes that have two small and two large compartments in them and make my own version of a Lunchable. I usually put in a piece of chicken, two or three cheese cubes, some cherry tomatoes, a twist of sultanas and his drink bottle (half frozen to keep it all cool). I know there's nothing special in this, lots of dollar savvy mums out there do it. My trick is I didn't spend a fortune on special lunchboxes or Tuppwerware - I went to the Reject Shop and bought three small boxes from the hardware department for $1.50 each! They are usually used for fishing gear or small took kits, but they make great lunchable boxes and best of all if one gets lost it's not a big deal.
- Contributed by Tanya Grieves, 24th November 2010
- Contributed by Tanya Grieves, 24th November 2010
Easy Mi Goreng
Approximate $ Savings: $1.70 approx
Our teenage kids love spicy noodles, especially the "Mi Goreng" variety. They are quite pricey at around $2.80 per pack of 5, compared to the Aldi brand at $1.09 per 5. To make your own for far less cost add 1 teaspoon sesame oil, soy sauce to taste, sweet chilli sauce to taste, 1 teaspoon combined dried onion flakes and garlic granules mixed together and the flavour sachet to serving bowl. Mix together. Add cooked two minute noodles plus a little of the liquid. Mix thoroughly. Easy enough for the laziest teenager to throw together. They all gave this recipe the thumbs up and said they tasted great.
-Contributed by Debby, Chandler, 8th June 2009
Our teenage kids love spicy noodles, especially the "Mi Goreng" variety. They are quite pricey at around $2.80 per pack of 5, compared to the Aldi brand at $1.09 per 5. To make your own for far less cost add 1 teaspoon sesame oil, soy sauce to taste, sweet chilli sauce to taste, 1 teaspoon combined dried onion flakes and garlic granules mixed together and the flavour sachet to serving bowl. Mix together. Add cooked two minute noodles plus a little of the liquid. Mix thoroughly. Easy enough for the laziest teenager to throw together. They all gave this recipe the thumbs up and said they tasted great.
-Contributed by Debby, Chandler, 8th June 2009
Lunch in a Box
Approximate $ Savings: $30 Try looking beyond the sandwich when bringing your lunch from home. I bought two heavy duty plastic containers from House and bring my lunch everyday in the bento style with recipes I found on the Internet. I now make them for my partner too and I save about $30 a day on eating lunch out for the both of us. Plus, by using the traditional method of filling the box we've lost about 5kg each!
- Contributed by Laura, Carnegie, 25th May 2009
Website: http://lunchinabox.net/2007/06/11/guide-to-bento-packing-and-gap-fillers/
- Contributed by Laura, Carnegie, 25th May 2009
Website: http://lunchinabox.net/2007/06/11/guide-to-bento-packing-and-gap-fillers/
Work Lunches
Approximate $ Savings: $5.00 PER DAY!
I have found the solution to those lunchtime dilemmas now that the weather is getting cold - the humble jaffle! I work in an office that doesn't have a proper lunchroom - just a sink and kettle for making tea/coffee. I was buying pies at the local bakery for lunch - two pies would cost me $6.60 - that added up to $33.00 per week just on warm lunches. I thought about buying a microwave for the office and even a fridge to keep my lunch cold but it was so much expense... By using a $12 jaffle iron I can have a hot lunch every day - a tin of spaghetti or baked beans will do three days and I bring bread from home. Even by allowing 40c for bread (I buy the large slice stuff) and 60c for fillings it only costs me $1.00 for two nice warm jaffles. I am planning to bring in left over casserole etc - this will make my meals even cheaper! I save at least $5 per day - this adds up to at least $1000 per year - time for a holiday I think!
- Contributed by Kirsty, Nabiac, 1st May 2009
I have found the solution to those lunchtime dilemmas now that the weather is getting cold - the humble jaffle! I work in an office that doesn't have a proper lunchroom - just a sink and kettle for making tea/coffee. I was buying pies at the local bakery for lunch - two pies would cost me $6.60 - that added up to $33.00 per week just on warm lunches. I thought about buying a microwave for the office and even a fridge to keep my lunch cold but it was so much expense... By using a $12 jaffle iron I can have a hot lunch every day - a tin of spaghetti or baked beans will do three days and I bring bread from home. Even by allowing 40c for bread (I buy the large slice stuff) and 60c for fillings it only costs me $1.00 for two nice warm jaffles. I am planning to bring in left over casserole etc - this will make my meals even cheaper! I save at least $5 per day - this adds up to at least $1000 per year - time for a holiday I think!
- Contributed by Kirsty, Nabiac, 1st May 2009
Double Use Bread Bags
Approximate $ Savings: $20 per year
Instead of using plastic wrap for sandwiches or homemade muffins for packed lunches when you don't want to bring a container, use an empty bread bag instead. You can save $10-$25 per year through buying less plastic wrap and (re)using your bread bags, and less wrap will be put into landfill. As an added convenience you don't need to carry containers home from work or study if you don't want to!
- Contributed by Moira, Latham, 14th February 2009
Instead of using plastic wrap for sandwiches or homemade muffins for packed lunches when you don't want to bring a container, use an empty bread bag instead. You can save $10-$25 per year through buying less plastic wrap and (re)using your bread bags, and less wrap will be put into landfill. As an added convenience you don't need to carry containers home from work or study if you don't want to!
- Contributed by Moira, Latham, 14th February 2009
The Lunch Line Shuffle
I make most of my husband's and children's' lunches at the weekend and freeze them, whether it is Vegemite, cold meat and relish, pickles etc, or Nutella, but no salad. In the morning I pack their lunches, with a frozen sandwich or roll. I make a salad, if needed, and put in fruit and frozen drink, (wrapped in tea towel so the condensation doesn't make everything soggy). I also make a heap of biscuits and freeze them. Anzacs are the best, and they can be eaten frozen. Saves time , if you are running late, and you can keep an eye on what you have used.
- Contributed by Cara, Busselton, 1st February 2009
- Contributed by Cara, Busselton, 1st February 2009
Bento Boxes
Approximate $ Savings: $5-10/day
Making a bento style lunch saves me $4.80 per day. Making one for the boyfriend saves us nearly $10! Bento boxes are also helping us lose weight due to the portion control and greater emphasis on vegetables. Leave the soggy sandwich at home and grab a lunch box full of treats!
- Contributed by Laura, Clayton, 4th May 2010
Making a bento style lunch saves me $4.80 per day. Making one for the boyfriend saves us nearly $10! Bento boxes are also helping us lose weight due to the portion control and greater emphasis on vegetables. Leave the soggy sandwich at home and grab a lunch box full of treats!
- Contributed by Laura, Clayton, 4th May 2010
Masses of Mini Muffins
I was struggling to pack healthy school lunch boxes with snacks that had nil-packaging, were fuss-free and most importantly economical! I discovered that by buying a 76c Aldi Vanilla cake recipe mix I could bake 36 mini muffins or 24 medium. I even add fruit (fresh or tinned) for variation. This means I bake them once and have a whole weeks worth of muffins as a yummy addition to their daily lunch box - all for just 76c! Not only am I saving money this way, my kids have satisfied belly's each day.
- Contributed by Lisa, Eumemmerring, 1st February 2010
- Contributed by Lisa, Eumemmerring, 1st February 2010
DIY Tuna
Approximate $ Savings: $2.12 each time you
DIY tuna I've taken to really looking at my grocery shopping. But the thing is, when you really look at it sometimes you find things that now seem just common sense. Let me explain. I used to buy the small flavoured tins of tuna. They were relatively inexpensive at $1.89 each. They were tasty, but sometimes could be hit and miss with strong flavours. I also bought the big tins for family meals... then one day inspiration struck. I can make the flavoured tuna myself. Open a big tin and add a dash of tomato sauce and two or three basil leaves. Yum. Or a squirt of sweet chilli sauce. Yum. Or some lemon juice and mayo. Yum. Just things you have on hand anyway. Just pack them into plastic containers and they are ready to go. Too easy! You can easily make two or three flavours at a time, and it is much, much tastier. You also aren't paying for the weight of inexpensive ingredients like tomato sauce as in the flavoured tuna, instead your money goes to the weight of the tuna. You get more tuna and less sauce.
- Contributed by Belinda, Traralgon, 20th May 2010
DIY tuna I've taken to really looking at my grocery shopping. But the thing is, when you really look at it sometimes you find things that now seem just common sense. Let me explain. I used to buy the small flavoured tins of tuna. They were relatively inexpensive at $1.89 each. They were tasty, but sometimes could be hit and miss with strong flavours. I also bought the big tins for family meals... then one day inspiration struck. I can make the flavoured tuna myself. Open a big tin and add a dash of tomato sauce and two or three basil leaves. Yum. Or a squirt of sweet chilli sauce. Yum. Or some lemon juice and mayo. Yum. Just things you have on hand anyway. Just pack them into plastic containers and they are ready to go. Too easy! You can easily make two or three flavours at a time, and it is much, much tastier. You also aren't paying for the weight of inexpensive ingredients like tomato sauce as in the flavoured tuna, instead your money goes to the weight of the tuna. You get more tuna and less sauce.
- Contributed by Belinda, Traralgon, 20th May 2010
Saving on Deli Meats
Approximate $ Savings: $20/month
As I'm the only one in the house that eats meat I find a good move is to buy a small roast of some kind occasionally on special, cook it up and then slice and freeze it into sandwich/meal portions - this saves a lot on bought cold meats (ham etc) and with lots less salt/preservatives.
- Contributed by Ruth, Venus Bay, 22nd December 2009
As I'm the only one in the house that eats meat I find a good move is to buy a small roast of some kind occasionally on special, cook it up and then slice and freeze it into sandwich/meal portions - this saves a lot on bought cold meats (ham etc) and with lots less salt/preservatives.
- Contributed by Ruth, Venus Bay, 22nd December 2009
Halving the Cost of Flavoured Tuna
Approximate $ Savings: $100 a year
If you love having flavoured tuna on crisp bread or on a sandwich for lunch, you can halve the price you pay for tuna by buying the unflavoured tuna and adding the flavour yourself. A 95g tin of flavoured tuna at Aldi is 89c while a 185g tin is 99c. If you buy the 185g tin you can add lemon and pepper, or tomato and basil, etc yourself at home. If you buy flavoured tuna this would cost you $231.40 for one person for lunch 5 days a week for a year whereas buying the unflavoured version would cost you $128.70 a year. That's a savings of $102.70 a year!
- Contributed by Ashleigh, Coffs Harbour, 10th September 2009
If you love having flavoured tuna on crisp bread or on a sandwich for lunch, you can halve the price you pay for tuna by buying the unflavoured tuna and adding the flavour yourself. A 95g tin of flavoured tuna at Aldi is 89c while a 185g tin is 99c. If you buy the 185g tin you can add lemon and pepper, or tomato and basil, etc yourself at home. If you buy flavoured tuna this would cost you $231.40 for one person for lunch 5 days a week for a year whereas buying the unflavoured version would cost you $128.70 a year. That's a savings of $102.70 a year!
- Contributed by Ashleigh, Coffs Harbour, 10th September 2009
Healthy Canteen Ideas
I work at a school of similar size and the 'Healthy School' canteen is run by volunteers 1-2 days a week with the luxury of an oven. Fruit kebabs with marshmallows on skewers with a thin drizzle of chocolate over them sell well. Halved small rolls with grated carrot and cheese, capsicum and cheese melted are good. J ellies with fruit added in plastic cups. Pikelets made in an electric frypan. Macaroni cheese which has vegies added is popular. The canteen will often have special days where they sell ie: wraps with a choice of 2 different types of filling.
- Contributed by Lark, Kalamunda, 19th September 2009
- Contributed by Lark, Kalamunda, 19th September 2009
The Sandwich Maker Production Line
Approximate $ Savings: $10+ per working day
Every fortnight we have a 'sandwich making bee' to save money on lunches. When bread is on sale (buy 2 and save type discounts) I buy at least 4 loaves and purchase bulk ham (usually uncut and without bone). Other bulk freezable items are good, like cheese, baked beans etc. My husband and I sit and make sandwiches and wrap and freeze. Quick and easy to grab straight from the freezer and saves money!
- Contributed by Cynthia, Singleton, 7th August 2009
Every fortnight we have a 'sandwich making bee' to save money on lunches. When bread is on sale (buy 2 and save type discounts) I buy at least 4 loaves and purchase bulk ham (usually uncut and without bone). Other bulk freezable items are good, like cheese, baked beans etc. My husband and I sit and make sandwiches and wrap and freeze. Quick and easy to grab straight from the freezer and saves money!
- Contributed by Cynthia, Singleton, 7th August 2009
Quick Meal on the Go
Approximate $ Savings: $4.00
For a fast meal on the go, have handy 2 minute noodles available , cook , add, can of small tuna(flavoured if you like), sprinkle with cheese and melt or just sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Really tasty.
- Contributed by Jayne, Forbes, 17th October 2008
For a fast meal on the go, have handy 2 minute noodles available , cook , add, can of small tuna(flavoured if you like), sprinkle with cheese and melt or just sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Really tasty.
- Contributed by Jayne, Forbes, 17th October 2008
A Cottage Cheese Surprise
Approximate $ Savings: The cost of bought lunches $6 plus daily
I have never particularly liked cottage cheese but I was given a tub of Homebrand Low Fat Cottage cheese and did not wish to waste it so I decided to try and make it more appetising. I chopped up 1 white onion, 1 tomato, some chives from the garden and shredded a large handful of lettuce, mixing it all into a good sized bowl. I then added a quantity of Trident Sweet Chilli Sauce with Ginger (use according to taste) and the result was yummy. You could also add capsicum, grated carrot or anything else that appeals. It is great for lunch either alone or with anything you choose. My family & friends are now taking this in containers to work, saving a minimum of $6 a day and even the children take it to school. Use your imagination with any variety of healthy vegetables and you will have a cost effective and nourishing meal. I find it best to include the lettuce.
- Contributed by Heather, Narrabri, 26th September 2008
I have never particularly liked cottage cheese but I was given a tub of Homebrand Low Fat Cottage cheese and did not wish to waste it so I decided to try and make it more appetising. I chopped up 1 white onion, 1 tomato, some chives from the garden and shredded a large handful of lettuce, mixing it all into a good sized bowl. I then added a quantity of Trident Sweet Chilli Sauce with Ginger (use according to taste) and the result was yummy. You could also add capsicum, grated carrot or anything else that appeals. It is great for lunch either alone or with anything you choose. My family & friends are now taking this in containers to work, saving a minimum of $6 a day and even the children take it to school. Use your imagination with any variety of healthy vegetables and you will have a cost effective and nourishing meal. I find it best to include the lettuce.
- Contributed by Heather, Narrabri, 26th September 2008
No More Soggy Bread Saves $50 a Week
Approximate $ Savings: $50 dollars a week
I give my partner a packed lunch to take to work saving $50 a week on lunches. Place grilled, baked or leftover vegies in separate bags. Make sandwiches of roast meats, ham or eggs on bread, rolls or wraps. Pack separately, also. When he is ready for lunch he only needs to add the vegies to make an appetising meal and no more soggy bread.
- Contributed by Fay, Ashbury, 26th August 2008
I give my partner a packed lunch to take to work saving $50 a week on lunches. Place grilled, baked or leftover vegies in separate bags. Make sandwiches of roast meats, ham or eggs on bread, rolls or wraps. Pack separately, also. When he is ready for lunch he only needs to add the vegies to make an appetising meal and no more soggy bread.
- Contributed by Fay, Ashbury, 26th August 2008
Pack a Cut Lunch for Lunching at Home
Approximate $ Savings: at least $5
When grocery shopping I used to always end up buying something to eat afterwards for lunch. Now there are two bad things with doing that. One, I was wasting money, and two, I was eating unhealthy foods. Now I prepare my lunch and put it in the fridge in the morning before heading out so I can do my shopping and not be tempted to buy a junk food lunch and waste money :)
- Contributed by Rebecca, Umina, 25th August 2008
When grocery shopping I used to always end up buying something to eat afterwards for lunch. Now there are two bad things with doing that. One, I was wasting money, and two, I was eating unhealthy foods. Now I prepare my lunch and put it in the fridge in the morning before heading out so I can do my shopping and not be tempted to buy a junk food lunch and waste money :)
- Contributed by Rebecca, Umina, 25th August 2008
Lunches to Go
I make sandwiches each fortnight. I buy meat and cheese, tuna etc. Make Hubby's rolls and wrap them up and freeze. You can add tomato afterwards. For toasted sandwiches I put tomatoes on. When you're busy you can just grab a sandwich and toast it frozen. I also make muffins and cakes and keep them frozen so there is always something in the freezer for visitors or snacks.
- Contributed by Robyne, Goolwa, 20th August 2008
- Contributed by Robyne, Goolwa, 20th August 2008
More Uses from Ziplock Bags
I try to save money and packaging when packing the kids school lunch by reusing plastic seal lock lunch bags. The kids and husband are under strict instructions not to throw them away after eating their sandwich etc. Instead we wash them in hot soapy water and dry them upside down on the sink. They clean up really well and can be reused over and over again.
- Contributed by Karen, Winmalee, 13th May 2008
- Contributed by Karen, Winmalee, 13th May 2008
Delicious Pizza Rolls for Less
Approximate $ Savings: $1.50 per piece
As a special treat I used to spent $2.20 for a small cheese and tomato roll for school lunches. Now I make my own. When I make pizza from scratch for weekend TV dinners, I just double the quantity and make a second one, put all the toppings on we like, bake, cut into lunch size squares, wrap in silverfoil and freeze. If you like you can make small rounds. When it comes to packing the school lunches, I just take them out of the freezer and by lunch time it's defrosted. My young one never gets tired of it as she helps to select the toppings and her school friends are envious. Best of all, we save about $1.50 on the commercial ones from the baker and it's a lot healthier/less fatty.
- Contributed by Brigitte, Avoca Beach, 6th April 2008
As a special treat I used to spent $2.20 for a small cheese and tomato roll for school lunches. Now I make my own. When I make pizza from scratch for weekend TV dinners, I just double the quantity and make a second one, put all the toppings on we like, bake, cut into lunch size squares, wrap in silverfoil and freeze. If you like you can make small rounds. When it comes to packing the school lunches, I just take them out of the freezer and by lunch time it's defrosted. My young one never gets tired of it as she helps to select the toppings and her school friends are envious. Best of all, we save about $1.50 on the commercial ones from the baker and it's a lot healthier/less fatty.
- Contributed by Brigitte, Avoca Beach, 6th April 2008
Have a Spontaneous Picnic
Approximate $ Savings: $10
If you haven't had time to pack a lunch and find yourself in town and hungry buy some rolls or a loaf of bread and a sandwich filler (hot chook, ham, cheese etc) and make up your own sandwich. Always have a bottle in your car - if it is empty, every park has a tap - sit and make your sandwich and fill up your bottle - my husband and I do this and we always find nice spots to sit. Just keep some tissues and a plastic knife in your car (and the bottle!) and you're set.
- Contributed by Jackie, Greenwell Point, 18th January 2008
If you haven't had time to pack a lunch and find yourself in town and hungry buy some rolls or a loaf of bread and a sandwich filler (hot chook, ham, cheese etc) and make up your own sandwich. Always have a bottle in your car - if it is empty, every park has a tap - sit and make your sandwich and fill up your bottle - my husband and I do this and we always find nice spots to sit. Just keep some tissues and a plastic knife in your car (and the bottle!) and you're set.
- Contributed by Jackie, Greenwell Point, 18th January 2008
Leftover Lunchboxes
Approximate $ Savings: $14 per week
We have a few 'leftover lunchboxes' that live in the freezer and every couple of days whatever is left over in the fridge goes into these. When they are about half full, I pop any leftover sauce/gravy/cheese sauce and voila, lunch for me to microwave at work or tasty breakfast on toast for the family....think it saves us two lunches a week ($7 per bought lunch) or one meal for the whole family. And is always different AND always tasty! Cindy
- Contributed by Cindy, Burpengary, 9th September 2007
We have a few 'leftover lunchboxes' that live in the freezer and every couple of days whatever is left over in the fridge goes into these. When they are about half full, I pop any leftover sauce/gravy/cheese sauce and voila, lunch for me to microwave at work or tasty breakfast on toast for the family....think it saves us two lunches a week ($7 per bought lunch) or one meal for the whole family. And is always different AND always tasty! Cindy
- Contributed by Cindy, Burpengary, 9th September 2007
Stretching Baked Beans
Approximate $ Savings: $5.00
Make small cans of baked beans go much further by buying packaged or loose from markets, dry cannelloni or navy beans, soak and boil til cooked and then put in a large container. Add a small can of baked beans and mix. The sauce goes a long way. Excellent savings for a large family.
- Contributed by Susie, Melbourne, 2nd June 2007
Make small cans of baked beans go much further by buying packaged or loose from markets, dry cannelloni or navy beans, soak and boil til cooked and then put in a large container. Add a small can of baked beans and mix. The sauce goes a long way. Excellent savings for a large family.
- Contributed by Susie, Melbourne, 2nd June 2007
Bulk Lunches
Approximate $ Savings: $40 per week
Do a bulk cook up on Sunday night of a tasty meal like pasta, risotto, soup, casserole, (even rice dishes work well) for the coming week. Parcel them into 5 containers and presto you have a hot lunch for every day of your working week! Mix n match so you don't even have to eat the same thing all week - saves time and money!
- Contributed by Kate, Farrer, 14th June 2007
Do a bulk cook up on Sunday night of a tasty meal like pasta, risotto, soup, casserole, (even rice dishes work well) for the coming week. Parcel them into 5 containers and presto you have a hot lunch for every day of your working week! Mix n match so you don't even have to eat the same thing all week - saves time and money!
- Contributed by Kate, Farrer, 14th June 2007
Cheddarmite Scrolls
Approximate $ Savings: $10 per week
My son loves cheddarmite scrolls from the bakery, which cost about $3 each. I make them at home and it's much cheaper and they taste the same. Make dough (as per instructions on packet) in the breadmaker or by hand, roll it out to a rectangular shape, spread with vegemite and grated cheese, roll up from longest edge, cut into 4cm slices and bake in 190C oven about 15mins. They can be frozen and put into lunchboxes. Makes about 12 for the same cost as 1 from bakery!
- Contributed by Shelley, Mundingburra, 4th September 2007
My son loves cheddarmite scrolls from the bakery, which cost about $3 each. I make them at home and it's much cheaper and they taste the same. Make dough (as per instructions on packet) in the breadmaker or by hand, roll it out to a rectangular shape, spread with vegemite and grated cheese, roll up from longest edge, cut into 4cm slices and bake in 190C oven about 15mins. They can be frozen and put into lunchboxes. Makes about 12 for the same cost as 1 from bakery!
- Contributed by Shelley, Mundingburra, 4th September 2007
Splitting Food for Lunches Saves Money
I am working full time, and I realised it can be quite expensive to buy lunch everyday and unhealthy. So I will cook different dishes over the weekend and store them in the freezer by splitting the food into different containers. Everyday, I will take one container out to work and that's my lunch! Try it and you will be surprised how much money you can save. Especially when you can (often) get specials from the supermarket on weekends.
- Contributed by Jane, Willeton, 24th July 2007
- Contributed by Jane, Willeton, 24th July 2007
Cheaper Peach Packs for Lunches
My 5 kids love peaches and the peaches sold in supermarkets which come in packets of 4 costs about $4 plus. I purchased small plastic containers, purchased Goulbourn Valley Peach Slices 1Kg Fridge Pack at NQR for only $1.99 each and I pack these for their lunchboxes. It tastes great, and goes a long way
- Contributed by Linette, Berwick, May 17th 2005
- Contributed by Linette, Berwick, May 17th 2005
Lunchtime Sandwich Alternatives
My daughter isn't keen on sandwiches in her lunchbox and they are often uneaten or only half eaten. I make a couple of large zucchini/vegetable slices every now and again in a large lamington tray, slice them when cold and freeze individually - they make easy additions to the lunch box and are much cheaper than making sandwiches with deli meats that are not eaten.
- Contributed by Lisa, Shepparton, April 22nd 2005
- Contributed by Lisa, Shepparton, April 22nd 2005
Deluxe Flavoured Tuna for a Fraction of the Price
Don't you love those tinned tunas with all the great flavours? Asian chilli, tomato and basil...and more! But they're so expensive compared to a tin of plain tuna. Well, why not make it yourself? Just add your favourite sauce to a plain tin of tuna and it tastes exactly the same - you can even put the exact amount of sauce in that you like! My favourite's Thai sweet chilli tuna
- Contributed by Kate, Clayton, April 25th 2005
- Contributed by Kate, Clayton, April 25th 2005
No More Morning Packed Lunch Blues
As a busy mum of 3, lunches can be a problem. Over the school holidays we have a day when we cook cakes, biscuits and slices that we cut and freeze. I then go and buy 3 or 4 loaves of bread and make them up into sandwiches with the children's favourite spreads, once they are cut in half we separate them so each day they will have 2 different spreads on their sandwiches and freeze them. I invested in 3 of the Tupperware Sandwich Plus Keepers as they have divided sections which means I don't need to use plastic wraps and bags. Every morning I get out the frozen sandwiches and cakes etc. and pop them into the lunch containers, saving me a great deal time and lots of money by not buying plastic wraps, expensive lunchbox treats and not needing to buy lunch orders when we run out of bread.
- Contributed by Michelle, Bundoora, April 26th 2005
- Contributed by Michelle, Bundoora, April 26th 2005