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Tip Store: Cooking: Milk and Dairy
MOO PLANT MILKS
I do not drink dairy milk and for the last few years have been having oat milk and almond milk. Recently I tried cashew milk and macadam milk which I love. One litre of these in store can be anything from $2 to $4 plus. I have recently tried to make my own cashew and almond milks and they are so delicious. If you buy the nuts at Aldi it cost around $1.90 per litre and there are no nasties. So added bonus is its healthier. Both cashew and almond milk froth so beautifully on my coffee machine. I have also made Cashew yoghurt. 750g in store is around $8 plus, home made is $3.80. I'm so happy as my hubby and I both enjoy the yoghurt.
Cashew Milk
1 cup cashews soaked in boiling water for a minimum of 1 hour. Drain the water off. Blend cashews in blender till smooth with 1 cup water. Then add 3 more cups water. Chill and serve.
Almond Milk
Follow the directions for cashew milk but must strain through cheese cloth after then you will be left with almond meal which can be used in cooking something else such as protein balls or cakes and biscuits.
Cashew Yoghurt
Blend 2 cups of cashews with 2 cups of water till smooth. Place in a large jar or yoghurt maker, add 3 probiotics tablets or 2 tablespoons of natural yoghurt and set as per yoghurt maker instructions.
Contributed by Melanie Ezzy
Cashew Milk
1 cup cashews soaked in boiling water for a minimum of 1 hour. Drain the water off. Blend cashews in blender till smooth with 1 cup water. Then add 3 more cups water. Chill and serve.
Almond Milk
Follow the directions for cashew milk but must strain through cheese cloth after then you will be left with almond meal which can be used in cooking something else such as protein balls or cakes and biscuits.
Cashew Yoghurt
Blend 2 cups of cashews with 2 cups of water till smooth. Place in a large jar or yoghurt maker, add 3 probiotics tablets or 2 tablespoons of natural yoghurt and set as per yoghurt maker instructions.
Contributed by Melanie Ezzy
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
Stretch Your Milk
If you use a lot of milk, it can become expensive. I accidently picked up some full cream milk instead of skim and didn't want to trek back to the shop. I decided to dilute the milk with 50% water. This worked out brilliantly. The taste was the same as skim milk and as full cream and skim are the same price, I have halved the cost of the milk. I am aware that I am also halving any added vitamins etc. which are added to the milk but as I am not relying on the milk as my only vitamin/mineral source I am not concerned. I now decant a 2 or 3 litre of full cream milk into 1/2 litre containers and freeze them. When I am running low on skim milk, I defrost a 1/2 litre, top it up with cold water, shake and there is my half price milk.
Contributed by Chris Hender
Contributed by Chris Hender
How to Save 25 Litres of Milk a Year
How often do you get to the bottom of the cereal bowl only to find milk left? All the cereal has been eaten, but there's still a good quarter cup (sometimes more) of milk in the bowl. Some people will drink it. Others pour it down the drain!
You can save around 25 litres of milk a year (and around $25) by simply making the cereal and milk finish with the same spoonful.
I'm not suggesting you add more cereal but rather cut down the amount of milk you pour onto it. You'll save money and waste less.
Contributed by Cath Armstrong
You can save around 25 litres of milk a year (and around $25) by simply making the cereal and milk finish with the same spoonful.
I'm not suggesting you add more cereal but rather cut down the amount of milk you pour onto it. You'll save money and waste less.
Contributed by Cath Armstrong
Homemade Yoghurt Even Cheaper
I have an Easiyo yoghurt maker and have found out that you don't need the entire sachet of yogurt powder to make a litre of yoghurt. I use 2/3 cup skim powdered milk, 2/3 cup full cream powdered milk and 2 tablespoons of the sachet mix, making sure the packet has been shaken up to distribute the starter well. Add this to the container half filled with water, shake to dissolve then top up and make as per the directions on the packet. I tried using all skim milk but a few batches stayed runny. I use the Greek yoghurt and don't add sugar either. I have also used the boysenberry flavoured one. With this one sachet makes between 6 and 8 litres instead of one litre. Make sure you roll up the sachet and place in a ziplock bag and store in the freezer to keep the starter as fresh as possible.
Contributed by Jo Ducket, 22nd March 2013
Contributed by Jo Ducket, 22nd March 2013
Cheap MOO Yogurt Flavour
Approximate $ Savings: $1.99 + per week! (price of cheap topping up to price of strawberries etc.) I used to make homemade yogurt but it always lacked a little flavor and my young kids (5 under under 8yrs) weren't at all keen on eating it. Yesterday I decided to give it another go but their attitude didn't really change. In the past I've tried strawberry puree, and toppings to give it more appeal but it never really worked well, so my yogurt was always wasted. Today I found some strawberry jelly in the cupboard and decided - with not much to lose anyway - I'd give it a try. The results were fantastic! The yogurt was a tad thicker, it had a beautiful pink colour, and tasted amazing - not too sweet! It looked and tasted like store bought! The kids absolutely devoured it asking for thirds! Looks like I can start making h/m yogurt again!
Contributed by Victoria Keever, 8th March 2013
Editors note: Victoria has hit on the secret of commercial yoghurts - gelatine as a thickener. I'm asked over and over again why bought yoghurts are so much thicker than MOO, and the answer is always the added thickener. Sometimes it's gelatine, other times it's another thickener. If you want your MOO yoghurt to be just as thick without adding a thickener, add an extra half a cup of milk powder. This works especially well with MOO yoghurt made with skim or no-fat milk powders (as there's no fat in the milk, there's nothing to solidify and thicken the yoghurt once it's curdled). Cath
Contributed by Victoria Keever, 8th March 2013
Editors note: Victoria has hit on the secret of commercial yoghurts - gelatine as a thickener. I'm asked over and over again why bought yoghurts are so much thicker than MOO, and the answer is always the added thickener. Sometimes it's gelatine, other times it's another thickener. If you want your MOO yoghurt to be just as thick without adding a thickener, add an extra half a cup of milk powder. This works especially well with MOO yoghurt made with skim or no-fat milk powders (as there's no fat in the milk, there's nothing to solidify and thicken the yoghurt once it's curdled). Cath
Butter
Approximate $ Savings: $180 per year
This may sound really simple but my tip is "use regular butter". After running out of "Buttersoft" from Mainland (this is the only brand that is not softened with oil and I also refuse to use margarine because it has been hydrogenated in order to make it solid) I was forced to use butter from the 1.5 kg block I buy at Costco for about $10.50. I cut off a piece and left it on the bench and it was perfectly spreadable in a fairly short period of time. Given that the spreadable stuff costs about $6 for 375g and we use close to a tub per week, making the switch represents a significant saving.
- Contributed by Susan Rochford, 2nd August 2012
This may sound really simple but my tip is "use regular butter". After running out of "Buttersoft" from Mainland (this is the only brand that is not softened with oil and I also refuse to use margarine because it has been hydrogenated in order to make it solid) I was forced to use butter from the 1.5 kg block I buy at Costco for about $10.50. I cut off a piece and left it on the bench and it was perfectly spreadable in a fairly short period of time. Given that the spreadable stuff costs about $6 for 375g and we use close to a tub per week, making the switch represents a significant saving.
- Contributed by Susan Rochford, 2nd August 2012
Cheesy Shapes
My kids have been pleading for those cheese shapes from the licensed characters but I am not willing to spend out on them so I decided to use my cookie cutters to cut out slices of block cheese. I save the scraps for things like cheesy pasta or sauces. This also works well for things like sandwiches, some fruits and veg etc.
- Contributed by Sharon Marriott, 11th January 2011
- Contributed by Sharon Marriott, 11th January 2011
Fresh Eggs?
If you have a carton of eggs that is past the used by date they may not necessarily be bad. Fill a bowl with cold water and take 1 egg at a time and place it in the water. If it floats to the top its no good to use, discard it. If it sinks to the bottom its still fresh. If it sinks to the bottom but stands on its point you need to use it quite soon.
-Contributed by Bianca, Moe, 14th February 2009
-Contributed by Bianca, Moe, 14th February 2009
Milk Switch Saves
Approximate $ Savings: $19 per fortnight approximately
I was paying $25 per fortnight for 10 litres of Shape milk. I could no longer afford that and we didn't like the taste of the generic skim milk so we changed to skim powdered milk. $6.48 makes up 10 litres. We use Aldi's New Dawn brand but Woolworths or Coles generic brands are just as good. 100% milk powder with no additives. No plastic bottles to dispose of either! Taste is the same and it can be made up with filtered water or tap water.
- Contributed by Bev, Carlingford, 27th January 2009
I was paying $25 per fortnight for 10 litres of Shape milk. I could no longer afford that and we didn't like the taste of the generic skim milk so we changed to skim powdered milk. $6.48 makes up 10 litres. We use Aldi's New Dawn brand but Woolworths or Coles generic brands are just as good. 100% milk powder with no additives. No plastic bottles to dispose of either! Taste is the same and it can be made up with filtered water or tap water.
- Contributed by Bev, Carlingford, 27th January 2009
Frozen Yoghurt Starter
Approximate $ Savings: $4 per litre of yoghurt
To make yoghurt, I purchase yoghurt starter from Cheeselinks in Little River. This costs approximately $20 (I bought it 2 years ago) and makes 250 litres of yoghurt - yes, really! It lasts in the freezer for at least 18 months. I use the flask and container from Easiyo. (These can be purchased from Coles or Safeway). I add 1 and 1/2 cups of skim milk powder to half a litre of water in the Easiyo container, add about 10 grains of yoghurt starter, then let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then I fill the container with water, put the lid on and place it in the vacuum flask filled with boiling water, and again seal. Approximately 10 hours later the yoghurt will be set and ready to refrigerate. It makes a wonderful batch of yoghurt, fat free and sugar free. You can then add fruit or jam to sweeten or flavour the yoghurt. The cost of a litre of yoghurt is less than $1. The starter is also a more reliable starter than using some yoghurt from a previous batch - they tend to lose their effectiveness after a few times. I also advise you to plan carefully if you want the starter posted to you by Cheeselinks. The starter needs to remain frozen, and Cheeselinks will post it with some ice around it, but several of our friends have had it posted to them and it thawed in their letterboxes for several hours before they realised it had arrived. It then loses its potency.
- Contributed by Katrina, Mooroolbark, 4th July 2009
Website: www.cheeselinks.com.au
To make yoghurt, I purchase yoghurt starter from Cheeselinks in Little River. This costs approximately $20 (I bought it 2 years ago) and makes 250 litres of yoghurt - yes, really! It lasts in the freezer for at least 18 months. I use the flask and container from Easiyo. (These can be purchased from Coles or Safeway). I add 1 and 1/2 cups of skim milk powder to half a litre of water in the Easiyo container, add about 10 grains of yoghurt starter, then let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then I fill the container with water, put the lid on and place it in the vacuum flask filled with boiling water, and again seal. Approximately 10 hours later the yoghurt will be set and ready to refrigerate. It makes a wonderful batch of yoghurt, fat free and sugar free. You can then add fruit or jam to sweeten or flavour the yoghurt. The cost of a litre of yoghurt is less than $1. The starter is also a more reliable starter than using some yoghurt from a previous batch - they tend to lose their effectiveness after a few times. I also advise you to plan carefully if you want the starter posted to you by Cheeselinks. The starter needs to remain frozen, and Cheeselinks will post it with some ice around it, but several of our friends have had it posted to them and it thawed in their letterboxes for several hours before they realised it had arrived. It then loses its potency.
- Contributed by Katrina, Mooroolbark, 4th July 2009
Website: www.cheeselinks.com.au
Easy Peel
I detest peeling boiled eggs and recently found this. Into the water for boiling eggs add 2tblespoons of bicarb soda, boil eggs as usual run cold water over eggs and then peel. Very easy.
- Contributed by Thelma, Charleston, 23rd March 2009
- Contributed by Thelma, Charleston, 23rd March 2009
Make Creamy Yoghurt in a Dreampot
I have begun making my own Yoghurt. I do have a Dreampot but any appropriate temperature would do. I use 9 dessertspoons of Black and Gold skim milk powder and 2 of yoghurt mixed together in cool boiled water and leave in 1cm of hot water in the Dreampot. Leave for 8 hours. The Dreampot can be obtained from the factory in Rockhampton - Email: [email protected]. I got the idea from them. They are a great family company!!
- Contributed by Annette , 20th August 2008
- Contributed by Annette , 20th August 2008
Frozen Yoghurt
Take 2 cups of the strawberries and 2 cups of plain, unflavoured yoghurt, either non fat or full fat varieties will work, put the lot into a blender or food processor and blend well till the berries are pureed, then put into a container and freeze. If the berries aren't sweet enough, you can add sugar or honey to taste when blending, of course, and you have an inexpensive and healthy dessert for the family, hope it goes down as well in your house as it does in mine. It's easy to make your own yoghurt, by the way. I use generic brand powdered skim milk powder for mine, 1 and a quarter cups of milk powder to 4 cups of water , heat to 44 degrees, then add 1 tablespoon of plain unflavoured yoghurt and pour into a wide mouthed thermos flask, seal and stand for at least 5 hours, I leave mine overnight to set. Once it's set, put it into a container and refrigerate and keep a tablespoon aside for the next batch. This recipe makes up 1 kg of yoghurt and costs approximately 60 cents. Any cheap fruit including over ripe bananas would be good to use in the frozen yoghurt recipe. Regards,
- Contributed by Vicki, 15th March 2008
- Contributed by Vicki, 15th March 2008
Fresh Strawberry Yoghurt
Purchase a large tub of vanilla flavoured yoghurt and blend together with the strawberries and add some milk to get the thickness you would like... this makes a filling and healthy breakfast or snack! And leftovers can be frozen into serving sizes!
- Contributed by Debbie, Eli Waters, 12th March 2008
- Contributed by Debbie, Eli Waters, 12th March 2008
Gourmet Ice-cream
pproximate $ Savings: $5 per batch over gourmet ice-cream Cheap, delicious, preservative free, home made ice-cream. Small tin evaporated milk, 70g icing sugar flavouring as below. Put metal pan in freezer to chill. Put tin of milk in pan of water, bring to boil, simmer 15 mins. Cool, put in fridge to chill icy cold. Whisk in mixer on top speed till thick and fluffy (3 - 5 min.) Add sugar, flavouring, mix 5-10 secs, pour into metal tray, freeze till firm. Flavourings: Strawberry: 250g berries pureed in blender. Banana: one banana pureed in blender. Lemon or Orange: half tsp finely grated rind, 1 tsp juice. Coffee: 1 1/2 tsp powdered instant coffee (this one doesn't set as hard but is a great frozen mousse). Chocolate: 1 1/2 tsp cocoa. Adapt with whatever flavour you like, vanilla essence, other fruit etc. When firm, transfer to box with lid for storage. If you can't find small tins of milk, use large tin and make two batches of different flavours, 3/4 cup of milk in each = one large tin.
Contributed by Judith, Whale Beach, 30th March 2008
Contributed by Judith, Whale Beach, 30th March 2008
The Emergency Stash of Powdered Mil
Approximate $ Saving: $20 per week at least
I have started buying (generic brand) powdered milk and making it up at home when needed. This has already saved many trips to the shop for milk where you never just buy milk!
- Contributed by Michelle, Banks, 30th January 2008
I have started buying (generic brand) powdered milk and making it up at home when needed. This has already saved many trips to the shop for milk where you never just buy milk!
- Contributed by Michelle, Banks, 30th January 2008
Frozen Yoghurt
Approximate $ Savings: up to $10 each time
Summertime always means having plenty of iceblocks and frozen treats for my children. My supermarket often has yoghurt or fresh juices reduced, so it's a real budget winner for me. I go straight home and fill up all my iceblock containers. The kids love them .... they're healthy, tasty and cheap and go like hotcakes! So much better than spending a fortune on pre-packaged iceblocks or frozen treat!
- Contributed by Christine, O'Halloran Hill, 10th September 2007
Summertime always means having plenty of iceblocks and frozen treats for my children. My supermarket often has yoghurt or fresh juices reduced, so it's a real budget winner for me. I go straight home and fill up all my iceblock containers. The kids love them .... they're healthy, tasty and cheap and go like hotcakes! So much better than spending a fortune on pre-packaged iceblocks or frozen treat!
- Contributed by Christine, O'Halloran Hill, 10th September 2007
Wildberry Drinking Yoghurt for Just a Few Cents
The Easiyo yoghurt maker has sachets to make drinking yoghurt. It costs about $3.00 to make a litre of either Wildberry or Mango flavoured and they taste great. Far cheaper than the Yakult type ones from the supermarket. With this I can make not just the drinking yoghurt, but also eating yoghurt and cheese. Definitely value for money for under $20 for the unit.
- Contributed by Sam, Caboolture, 9th December 2007
- Contributed by Sam, Caboolture, 9th December 2007
Easy Yoghurt Savings
Approximate $ Savings: $2 per packet
I recently bought your book. You write about saving money on yoghurt, by buying on a special, in larger tubs. I was given a Yoghurt maker recently. They cost around $19 at Big W. A packet of Yoghurt mix costs around $3.50. One packet makes up one litre, and is really VERY nice. My Husband who wasn't much of a yoghurt eater, loves this.
- Contributed by July 200
I recently bought your book. You write about saving money on yoghurt, by buying on a special, in larger tubs. I was given a Yoghurt maker recently. They cost around $19 at Big W. A packet of Yoghurt mix costs around $3.50. One packet makes up one litre, and is really VERY nice. My Husband who wasn't much of a yoghurt eater, loves this.
- Contributed by July 200
Margarine Alternative
A naturopath told me about this healthy and spreadable alternative for margarine. I blend equal amounts of butter and extra virgin olive oil. The spread is delicious, healthy and nutritious - unlike other spreads which can be full of chemicals and preservatives.
- Contributed by Jennifer, Bendigo, 30th October 2007
- Contributed by Jennifer, Bendigo, 30th October 2007
Cheaper Yogo Substitute - But Just as Delicious
Approximate $ Savings: $4.00
instead of buying chocolate Yogo from the supermarket for around $5.00 for 6 tubs I now buy Cottees choc pudding mix for around $1.36 and this make slightly larger amounts than a normal tub of Yogo. I am saving on the environment because I use plastic lidded containers. I also make jelly and put tinned fruit in it and also put these in containers and they are cheaper than SPC jelly fruits. My kids take these to school and bring the container home. Jelly crystals are around $1.00 and jelly fruits from SPC are around $4.00 for 4 and my way I get 6 for around $1.00.
- Contributed by Joanne, Sunbury, 17th October 2007
instead of buying chocolate Yogo from the supermarket for around $5.00 for 6 tubs I now buy Cottees choc pudding mix for around $1.36 and this make slightly larger amounts than a normal tub of Yogo. I am saving on the environment because I use plastic lidded containers. I also make jelly and put tinned fruit in it and also put these in containers and they are cheaper than SPC jelly fruits. My kids take these to school and bring the container home. Jelly crystals are around $1.00 and jelly fruits from SPC are around $4.00 for 4 and my way I get 6 for around $1.00.
- Contributed by Joanne, Sunbury, 17th October 2007
Easiyo Drinking Yoghurt
I make my own yoghurt with Easiyo and a friend uses the same product to make a similar Yakult alternative. Hope this helps, Billie.
- Contributed by Julie, East Victoria Park, 23rd February 2007
- Contributed by Julie, East Victoria Park, 23rd February 2007
Really Easy Homemade Yoghurt
I was just reading your newsletter when I saw the great tip about Easiyo yoghurt. I use Easiyo and it's fantastic, in fact we go through so much yoghurt in summer that I invested in a second yoghurt maker and double my yoghurt from the same mix. I make up the mix as per instructions but before topping up the jar with water I add a cup (mug size) of Home Brand Powdered Milk (I use skim). I then shake it to mix well and get any lumps out. I now split it between 2 jars evenly and top it up with water. Once fully mixed I now place both jars in the yoghurt makers overnight. (If you like your yoghurt sweet you may want to add some extra sugar as you are doubling your yoghurt quantity.) In the morning I check them to make sure they are to the consistency I want. Mostly they are but sometimes I have to leave them for a few more hours. I find this is a great saving and the kids love them. I also use yoghurt in ice block moulds to make ice blocks and the kids think they taste better than the ones store bought. Occasionally you get a mix that doesn't set, usually the mango flavour, when this happens I freeze this whole mix in the ice block moulds. It never goes to waste as ice blocks. I prefer natural yoghurt but I am usually the only one that eats it so what I sometimes do is make up a natural mix and then use a large tablespoon as my starter for the next batch. I get a yoghurt jar put in a cup (mug) of Home Brand Skim Powdered milk add water and mix well, I then add my starter and top with water. Once well mixed I put it into the yoghurt maker to set. I leave this about 10-16 hrs. If I continue to use starter from each batch the consistency thins out over time. If this is not suitable just start again with another mix. When I use yoghurt in cooking (instead of sour cream) I just double my batch from one mix so I have enough for cooking and for myself. Hope this helps some yoghurt lovers. Regards Connie P.S. For those yoghurt lovers who like to add their own flavours, you can start by doubling your batches of natural yoghurt and then adding your own fresh fruit and honey or juice etc. This way you control exactly what is in your yoghurt.
- Contributed by Connie, Baulkham Hills, April 27th 2005
- Contributed by Connie, Baulkham Hills, April 27th 2005
Tasty Cheese Topping
I buy 1kg blocks of cheese when it is on special. Then I process it with a few slices of bread. This is then sealed in plastic bags and frozen, ready to be used for toppings on pasta etc. It saves on the cost of grated cheese, makes the cheese go further, uses up stale bread, and gives a crisper texture to the topping.
- Contributed by Ruth, Oakden, April 30th 2005
- Contributed by Ruth, Oakden, April 30th 2005
Homemade Sour Cream
To make cheap sour cream buy a 500g tub of cottage cheese (I use farmland) + 2tbsp of lemon juice, beat it until smooth with a stick mixer, tastes great and super low in fat!
- Contributed by James, Oxley Park, March 3rd 2005
- Contributed by James, Oxley Park, March 3rd 2005
Chocolate Yoghurt for the Kids
I buy Yoplait Yoplus 1kg tub and Akta Vite. I use coffee mugs and fill them almost full then add 2-3 teaspoons of the Akta Vite and mix. A can of Akta Vite will last for ages. It tastes just as good as the tiny branded yoghurts and the only added sugar is in the Akta Vite.
- Contributed by Lyn, Hoxton Park, March 2nd 2005
- Contributed by Lyn, Hoxton Park, March 2nd 2005
Sugar Free Yoghurt
When my son was first started to eat yoghurt I found it hard to find flavoured yoghurt without sugar in my small country town. So I purchased an EasiYo yoghurt maker from my health food store for around $30. Sachets of the mix cost from $2.30 (makes 1kg) and you just have to add water. You "cook" the yoghurt in the container using boiling water. NO ELECTRICITY. The sachets come in many flavours and you can add sugar to your taste. You can buy the makers and sachets at Bi-Lo and health food stores. I have found the health food stores cheaper and they have a larger range of products. They even have slimmers yoghurt!
- Contributed by Becci, McCracken, March 17th 2005
- Contributed by Becci, McCracken, March 17th 2005
Powdered Milk is Cheaper
When my now 10 year old son was just a baby we switched from bottled milk to powdered milk as there wasn't a lot of room in the freezer. It costs me about $6.50 for a weeks worth of powdered milk whereas to buy 2 litres a day of fresh milk was at least twice as expensive!
- Contributed by Tracey, Cranbrook, September 19th 2006
- Contributed by Tracey, Cranbrook, September 19th 2006
No More Green Cheese
To save money and not waste my expensive grated cheese that I need to make my home made pizzas I keep it in the freezer until the day I need it, then I store in the fridge for a few hours to defrost. When I am finished using it I put it back into the freezer. No more green cheese!
- Contributed by Maryana, Elizabeth North, August 8th 2006
- Contributed by Maryana, Elizabeth North, August 8th 2006
Milk Savings
I use powdered milk all the time at home instead of buying milk from the refrigerated section of the supermarket.
I purchased a couple of cheap plastic 2lt jugs from Crazy Clarks a while ago to use when making the milk up and then to store the made up milk in the fridge.
I've found the generic brands of milk powder, taste fine and are easy to make up.
The mixture I use is 100grams full cream milk powder and 100 grams of skim milk powder, which makes up 2lt of milk.
The made up milk goes in the fridge and in a couple of hours (to cool down) is ready for use.
I use the mixture of skim milk powder and full cream milk powder for a couple of reasons, Firstly the taste is not that different to ordinary milk & I'm not that fussed on either 2 litres of total skim milk or total full cream milk. Secondly by using both skim and full cream powders I save myself money as the full cream milk powder is dearer (approx $6.23 for the generic brand 1KG) than the skim milk powder (for the generic brand 1KG)
This practice, which hardly takes any time to prepare, has halved my milk costs with my milk costing approximately 55 cents a litre.
But if you don't like using powdered milk, another cheaper alternative to refrigerated milk is Long Life, which is usually stored on the shelf near the powdered milk.
I've found Long Life Milk comes in a wide variety of milk types and is often on special. This means (to me) you can stock up while the milk at the time the milk is on special and have the carton of milk ready to place in the fridge when you need it.
- Contributed by Jacqui, May 24th, 2004
- Contributed by Jacqui, May 24th, 2004