I first started a Facebook Group of the same name. What led me to start a Facebook group and write this blog was the ever spiralling food prices. Seriously, I feel we are being rorted by the food chains, however there is little we can do about that. As we all need to eat and to feed our children. We can however, learn to be thrifty and try to become self sufficient, after all our ancestors before us were.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Recipes for special diets
Slowcooker Beef pot roast ( suitable for diabetics)
1.5 KG,( 3lb) boneless piece of beef
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 large onions, chopped
1/4 cup light soy sauce
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 Dip roast in flour and brown on both sides in oil in a saucepan.
2 Place meat in slow cooker and top with onions.
3 Combine soy sauce, water and ginger and pour over the meat.
4 Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes.
5 Reduce heat to low and cook for 8-10 hours.
NB You only need to purchase a cheap piece of beef for this recipe
1.5 KG,( 3lb) boneless piece of beef
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 large onions, chopped
1/4 cup light soy sauce
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 Dip roast in flour and brown on both sides in oil in a saucepan.
2 Place meat in slow cooker and top with onions.
3 Combine soy sauce, water and ginger and pour over the meat.
4 Cover and cook on high for 10 minutes.
5 Reduce heat to low and cook for 8-10 hours.
NB You only need to purchase a cheap piece of beef for this recipe
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Scones and Muffins
Scones and Muffins
Yummy and Easy
Lemonade scones
I have never had a failure with these.
3 Cups SR Flour
1 Cup Cream
1 Cup Lemonade
Method
Pre-Heat oven to 220c (425F)
Sift the flour into a bowl and make a well in the middle of the flour
Add the Cream and lemonade
Stir altogether with a knife until it all mixes together into a sticky dough.
Turn onto a floured surface and kneed into a ball shape and pat out flat into a big round.
Do not flatten too thin the thicker the dough here ( height ) the higher your scones will rise.
Then cut your shapes either using a scone cutter or small cup or glass.
Place on greased/ gladbake oven tray.
Cook in oven 15 mins or so until nicely risen and goldenScones can be placed closely together because even if they stick you can easily pull apart.
Yummy and Easy
Lemonade scones
I have never had a failure with these.
3 Cups SR Flour
1 Cup Cream
1 Cup Lemonade
Method
Pre-Heat oven to 220c (425F)
Sift the flour into a bowl and make a well in the middle of the flour
Add the Cream and lemonade
Stir altogether with a knife until it all mixes together into a sticky dough.
Turn onto a floured surface and kneed into a ball shape and pat out flat into a big round.
Do not flatten too thin the thicker the dough here ( height ) the higher your scones will rise.
Then cut your shapes either using a scone cutter or small cup or glass.
Place on greased/ gladbake oven tray.
Cook in oven 15 mins or so until nicely risen and golden
I have never had a failure with these.
3 Cups SR Flour
1 Cup Cream
1 Cup Lemonade
Method
Pre-Heat oven to 220c (425F)
Sift the flour into a bowl and make a well in the middle of the flour
Add the Cream and lemonade
Stir altogether with a knife until it all mixes together into a sticky dough.
Turn onto a floured surface and kneed into a ball shape and pat out flat into a big round.
Do not flatten too thin the thicker the dough here ( height ) the higher your scones will rise.
Then cut your shapes either using a scone cutter or small cup or glass.
Place on greased/ gladbake oven tray.
Cook in oven 15 mins or so until nicely risen and golden
click here for my giftware and cards
Salads
My friend Trish has asked for some new salad ideas I have a couple of old favourites from when I cooked in Aged Care. I tend not to use set measurements a lot in recipes so I will take a stab at amounts here.
Grated Carrot and Cheese Salad
4 carrots peeled and grated
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
1 cup Sultanas ( optional )
Salt and Pepper to taste
Mix altogether add the salt and pepper if using
Place in fridge until needed.
This also makes a nice sandwich filling.
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This seems a strange salad but it is really not bad.
Grated Cucumber Salad.
2 Cucumbers washed peeled and grated
when grated pat dry with paper towel or I used to leave in a colander to drain.
1 cup sour cream or salad dressing to which you add 1 Tablespoon of Vinegar.
Mix altogether add salt and pepper to taste. Place in fridge.
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Looking for gifts on-line
Egg and Lettuce Salad
ard boil 4-6 eggs and slice into rounds.
Place the amount of lettuce leaves to cover base and sides of your bowl or platter.
Now place your egg slices on your lettuce.
...A nice dressing drizzled over this is approx 1 cup Mayo I used to add a drop or two of yellow food colouring to this and spoon over,
A combination of nice colours and tasty
Grated Carrot and Cheese Salad
4 carrots peeled and grated
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
1 cup Sultanas ( optional )
Salt and Pepper to taste
Mix altogether add the salt and pepper if using
Place in fridge until needed.
This also makes a nice sandwich filling.
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This seems a strange salad but it is really not bad.
Grated Cucumber Salad.
2 Cucumbers washed peeled and grated
when grated pat dry with paper towel or I used to leave in a colander to drain.
1 cup sour cream or salad dressing to which you add 1 Tablespoon of Vinegar.
Mix altogether add salt and pepper to taste. Place in fridge.
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Looking for gifts on-line
Egg and Lettuce Salad
ard boil 4-6 eggs and slice into rounds.
Place the amount of lettuce leaves to cover base and sides of your bowl or platter.
Now place your egg slices on your lettuce.
...A nice dressing drizzled over this is approx 1 cup Mayo I used to add a drop or two of yellow food colouring to this and spoon over,
A combination of nice colours and tasty
Quick and Easy
Quick and Easy
Short on time try these
Sunday Night supper
1 tin Braised steak and onion.
2 tins Spaghetti.
Breadcrumbs to top
...
Place the contents of the 2 tins spaghetti in a casserole dish
Slowly stir through the braised steak and onion.
Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top or alternatively use crushed potato chips.
Place in oven 350F about 30 mins or until hot.
You can also add grated cheese with or without the breadcrumbs.
Serve with hot buttered toast or crumpets
If in a hurry zap in the microwave
1 tin Braised steak and onion.
2 tins Spaghetti.
Breadcrumbs to top
...
Place the contents of the 2 tins spaghetti in a casserole dish
Slowly stir through the braised steak and onion.
Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top or alternatively use crushed potato chips.
Place in oven 350F about 30 mins or until hot.
You can also add grated cheese with or without the breadcrumbs.
Serve with hot buttered toast or crumpets
If in a hurry zap in the microwave
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English Potato Cakes ( savoury )
250gm mashed potato ( left-over is fine)
100gm SR Flour
1 Dessertspoon milk
S&P
In a bowl knead the flour into the potatoes add milk , using as much flour as can be worked into the potato to enable the mixture to be rolled out on a floured surface. Cut into circles with a scone cutter. Lightly grease frying pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until nice and brown and eat hot with butter.
My Mum often made this recipe it's cheap and filling and very yummy eat on their own or add as a side to a meal
250gm mashed potato ( left-over is fine)
100gm SR Flour
1 Dessertspoon milk
S&P
In a bowl knead the flour into the potatoes add milk , using as much flour as can be worked into the potato to enable the mixture to be rolled out on a floured surface. Cut into circles with a scone cutter. Lightly grease frying pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until nice and brown and eat hot with butter.
My Mum often made this recipe it's cheap and filling and very yummy eat on their own or add as a side to a meal
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Spaghetti Mince Casserole
500gm /1lb Mince
1 Onion
1 tin Tomato Soup
1 tin Spaghetti
Brown mince and onion, drain off any fat
Place into casserole dish
Stir through tomato soup and spaghetti
Place in oven 350F 20-30 mins until hot
Can be topped with Grated cheese,Breadcrumbs or crushed Potato Chips
500gm /1lb Mince
1 Onion
1 tin Tomato Soup
1 tin Spaghetti
Brown mince and onion, drain off any fat
Place into casserole dish
Stir through tomato soup and spaghetti
Place in oven 350F 20-30 mins until hot
Can be topped with Grated cheese,Breadcrumbs or crushed Potato Chips
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Creamy Mushroom Fettucine
Serves 4
1 cup sliced Mushrooms
1 small Zucchini grated or diced( optional)
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 cup milk
1/2 cup cream
1 cup finely shredded Ham or Spam( optional) if not using add some more mushrooms
1Tbl butter
375gm Fettucine pasta or other pasta on hand.Cooked as per directions
In a saucepan melt the 1Tbl butter add mushroom and Zucchini cook 1-2 minutes till soft
Combine soup and milk and add to pan and stir until nicely mixed then simmer very low 5 mins
Add Ham and Cream and rewarm without boiling.
Serve over the cooked fettucine
If you don't fancy the Mushroom soup use Cream of Chicken
Serves 4
1 cup sliced Mushrooms
1 small Zucchini grated or diced( optional)
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 cup milk
1/2 cup cream
1 cup finely shredded Ham or Spam( optional) if not using add some more mushrooms
1Tbl butter
375gm Fettucine pasta or other pasta on hand.Cooked as per directions
In a saucepan melt the 1Tbl butter add mushroom and Zucchini cook 1-2 minutes till soft
Combine soup and milk and add to pan and stir until nicely mixed then simmer very low 5 mins
Add Ham and Cream and rewarm without boiling.
Serve over the cooked fettucine
If you don't fancy the Mushroom soup use Cream of Chicken
This is a fantastic and easy recipe
Easy to make , can be eaten hot or cold
For functions for family or friends cut into fingers or small triangles.
Savoury Toasts
Ingredients
I Pack homebrand bacon pieces, I use Black and Gold ( In Australia)
1 large onion finely chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese grated ( more if desired
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp Worchestershire sauce
1 Tbsp tomato sauce (ketchup)
12 slices white or brown bread
Method
Place the 12 slices of bread on baking pans or cookie sheets. Mix the remaining ingredients together and spread liberally over each slice of bread. Bake at 160°C (320°F) for 30 minutes, or until bread is toasted and mixture is set. Remove from oven, cut into desired serving size
Fishy Dishes and all Seafood
This recipe was posted to our Facebook Group, Recipes,Hints and Friends by Trish Blacklock of Brisbane QLD
Tuna Mornay
1 pkt chicken noodle soup
flour
1 tin of tuna in brine
½ cup of grated cheese or more
1 cup or more milk
1 onion diced
good shake of cayenne pepper
black pepper
paprika to taste
½ cup of diced capsicum
minced garlic to taste
butter
Please don't add salt as the chicken noodle soup and brine juice are very salty.
Add chicken noodle soup to water in saucepan cook as directed adding the corn and carrots and diced capsicum if that is what you want to add, cook until veg is soft.
In a separate saucepan or fry pan brown onions then mushrooms (if that's what you are adding) with garlic in butter, then add about 1 heaped table spoon of flour (to thicken), then slowly tip the chicken noodle soup and veg mix in, then add the whole tin of tuna in brine including the juice then add milk and pineapple (if thats what you are adding). Add black pepper and cayenne pepper and paprika to taste.
I like the consistency to be thick enough to hold the wooden spoon up in the mornay so if it's too runny make a paste of flour and milk and slowly add until it is thick enough.
Add half a cup or more of shredded cheese and pineapple pieces if that what you are adding.
Simmer for 15 mins.
This can be served over rice or mixed with large spiral pasta (especially the pineapple and mushroom version) in a casserole dish topped with bread crumbs and shredded cheese
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Tuna Bake
1 small Onion diced
1/2 red Capsicum diced
3 tablespoons Butter
3 tablespoons plain Flour
Salt & Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 cups milk
250gm grated cheddar cheese add more if liked
1 can 425gm tuna, drained and flaked
1 cup cooked frozen or canned peas, drained
4 cups hot cooked rice
1 Pkt potato chips crushed
Method
In a frypan over medium-low heat, cook onion and capsicum in the butter until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour, salt & pepper Continue cooking, stirring, until smooth and just bubbly. Add Worcestershire sauce and gradually stir in milk.
Cook, stirring, until thickened. Add about half of the cheese to the sauce mixture; stir until melted. Add flaked tuna and peas. Spoon half of the hot rice into a baking dish and spread about half of the remaining cheese over the rice; top with half of hot tuna mixture, then repeat layers. Sprinkle potato chips over the top . Bake in a preheated 400° oven for 20 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.
This can easily be converted to the microwave cooking tuna mixture in a large jug or bowl
Tuna Mornay
1 pkt chicken noodle soup
flour
1 tin of tuna in brine
½ cup of grated cheese or more
1 cup or more milk
1 onion diced
good shake of cayenne pepper
black pepper
paprika to taste
½ cup of diced capsicum
minced garlic to taste
butter
Please don't add salt as the chicken noodle soup and brine juice are very salty.
Add chicken noodle soup to water in saucepan cook as directed adding the corn and carrots and diced capsicum if that is what you want to add, cook until veg is soft.
In a separate saucepan or fry pan brown onions then mushrooms (if that's what you are adding) with garlic in butter, then add about 1 heaped table spoon of flour (to thicken), then slowly tip the chicken noodle soup and veg mix in, then add the whole tin of tuna in brine including the juice then add milk and pineapple (if thats what you are adding). Add black pepper and cayenne pepper and paprika to taste.
I like the consistency to be thick enough to hold the wooden spoon up in the mornay so if it's too runny make a paste of flour and milk and slowly add until it is thick enough.
Add half a cup or more of shredded cheese and pineapple pieces if that what you are adding.
Simmer for 15 mins.
This can be served over rice or mixed with large spiral pasta (especially the pineapple and mushroom version) in a casserole dish topped with bread crumbs and shredded cheese
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Tuna Bake
1 small Onion diced
1/2 red Capsicum diced
3 tablespoons Butter
3 tablespoons plain Flour
Salt & Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 cups milk
250gm grated cheddar cheese add more if liked
1 can 425gm tuna, drained and flaked
1 cup cooked frozen or canned peas, drained
4 cups hot cooked rice
1 Pkt potato chips crushed
Method
In a frypan over medium-low heat, cook onion and capsicum in the butter until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour, salt & pepper Continue cooking, stirring, until smooth and just bubbly. Add Worcestershire sauce and gradually stir in milk.
Cook, stirring, until thickened. Add about half of the cheese to the sauce mixture; stir until melted. Add flaked tuna and peas. Spoon half of the hot rice into a baking dish and spread about half of the remaining cheese over the rice; top with half of hot tuna mixture, then repeat layers. Sprinkle potato chips over the top . Bake in a preheated 400° oven for 20 minutes or until the top is lightly browned.
This can easily be converted to the microwave cooking tuna mixture in a large jug or bowl
Slow Cooker Recipes 5 or less ingredients Crockpot
Note: Remember, if you have a newer crock pot that cooks hotter, check the chicken at 6 or 7 hours. If your food burns, it was cooked too long. You must know if your crock pot cooks hotter.
Make your life easier with a Slow Cooker / Crock-pot . A valuable asset to any kitchen, not only in the throw it all in and leave to cook factor but also in the fact that you can use cheaper cuts of meats for delicious stews and soups.
By the time you are ready for your meal no messing about and extradirty preparation dishes to wash, just serve up.
There is no limit to what you can cook from Appetisers, Soups through Mains and Sweets. You can even cook over night if you prefer if the weather is warm.
PORK and BEAN SOUP
1 1/2 cups dried lentils and beans
700gm/ 1.5 pounds meaty ham bone or smoked hock
1 chopped onion
1 can diced tomatoes including juice
1 pkt vegetable soup mix.
Place beans and lentils into a bowl cover to ( 2 inches) above beans and leave overnight to soften, then drain and rinse.
Place into your cooker and add ham bone or hock and the onion and cover with 9 cups water, cook on high 4-5 hours until beans are tender
Remove hock and remove skin and bones when cool enough to handle,chop meat and place back in cooker
Add tomatoes ,soup mix, ( S&P}, if desired,stir and cook on High for about an hour until veg is tender.
Makes approx 3 litres /13 1/2 cups
Serve with chunky bread,rolls or toast
Copied from about dot com
Sweet and Spicy Crock pot Chicken
This simple recipe combines sweet and sour sauce, barbecue sauce, and chicken in a five ingredient recipe with a fabulous flavour. The chicken becomes meltingly tender when cooked this way. You can add any other vegetable to this recipe; I added a chopped green bell pepper the last time I made it. Sliced carrots, zucchini, or any Asian vegetable would be delicious too.
Ingredients:
2 lbs/ 1kg approx,. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced/ or minced garlic
1 onion, chopped
1 cup purchased sweet and sour sauce
3/4 cup purchased barbecue sauce
1-2 Tbsp. cornstarch / cornflour, if needed
2 Tbsp. water, if needed
Combine all ingredients in 4-5 quart / 4-5 Litre slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours until chicken is thoroughly cooked. If you'd like a thicker sauce,
mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and add to the liquid; cover and cook 10-15 minutes until thickened. Serve over hot cooked rice or couscous.
Note: Remember, if you have a newer crock pot that cooks hotter, check the chicken at 6 or 7 hours. If your food burns, it was cooked too long. You must know if your crock pot cooks hotter.
Cooking a whole Chicken
1 Chicken or 2 very small
1 Onion
1 Carrot
1 potato
Always use a defrosted chicken and pat dry with paper towel before placing in the cooker.
If desired place above vegetables in the base of cooker first but you do not have to use them at all.
Place Chicken, Do not add water or stock as the chicken will make its own juice.
Cook 6-8 hours on high, slow cooker temperatures can vary so check at the 6 hour mark and continue if needed
Always make sure the chicken is cooked right through the middle.
Pea and Ham Soup
I always save my Ham bone from Christmas to make my first pot of Pea and Ham soup
I don't check it's weight so will take a stab at the amount you will need
You can purchase Ham bones but in honesty as the price gets more expensive the amount of meat left on the bones is minimal
However you will still get good flavour out of the bones.
Ham Hocks are more expensive but supply more meat.
Ingredients
500-700grams Ham bones,Hocks.
6 cups/ 11/2 litres water or chicken or vegetable stock
500grams dried split peas, now I like 1/2 yellow and 1/2 green but you can use all of either.
1 Large Onion chopped
peppercorns or pepper (if desired)
Note* here I never add salt until after if it needs it ,
You can add chopped carrot,celery or capsicum/pepper
Method,
Always rinse your split peas you never know where they have been LOL
Now you do not have to pre-soak, but I prefer to even if only for 2-3 hours or you can soak overnight.
Add all these ingredients to your crock pot/ slow cooker
Set on High 6-8 hours or Low approx 10 hours.
Now you can remove your bones and meat after about 4 hours if you wish it can be easier to separate the meat from the bones without all the peas stuck to it but that is your choice.
Pop the meat back into the Pot.
When this is cooked to your liking you may need to mash the peas a bit you could even vitamise.
Serve with crumpets ,bread or toast.
Now this leads me to the true Aussie dish
Pie Floater
Heat your Meat Pies of choice
Place each in deep bowl for each person
Pour over Pea soup to almost cover pie
Add a splosh of Tomato sauce /Ketchup
You don't know what your missing until you try this!
Corned Beef / Silverside
Last weekend I cooked a 1 Kilo ( 2.2LB ) piece of Corned Beef in my slow cooker very differently to the way I have in past.
Prior I had placed my meat on some veg and placed 1-2 cups of water or stock and the usual vinegar, sugar, spices etc.
I had not always had a lovely tender piece of meat at the end of the cooking process, some areas were a bit dry.
So this time I scoured the www for different ways and then adapted to what ingredients I had on hand.
I had a beautifully ,scrumptious piece of corned beef and this is what I did.
Using what ever size piece of corned meat you choose for your family that fits comfortably in your slow cooker / crock pot. Rinse under cold water.
Cover this with boiling water, yes boiling water! I would approximate maybe 6-7 cups
I always add vinegar but decided to use some Apple Cider Vinegar I had in my cupboard, I used 1cup but do not add this much ordinary vinegar
Just a splosh if you use ordinary,
I added a large onion, roughly cut into wedges
A Tablespoon Sugar
Cracked black pepper ( optional )
Do not add salt.
Cook on High maybe 6-7 hours test for doneness with a fork if you feel it is not tender enough cook longer.
I then left mine on Low until I was ready to serve.
That”s it.
You can add all sorts of things to this but do not go out and specifically buy it, cloves,bay leaf,peppercorns,potatoes,carrots.
If you have None of the ingredients fine just cook it in the water.
Cheers
Make your life easier with a Slow Cooker / Crock-pot . A valuable asset to any kitchen, not only in the throw it all in and leave to cook factor but also in the fact that you can use cheaper cuts of meats for delicious stews and soups.
By the time you are ready for your meal no messing about and extradirty preparation dishes to wash, just serve up.
There is no limit to what you can cook from Appetisers, Soups through Mains and Sweets. You can even cook over night if you prefer if the weather is warm.
PORK and BEAN SOUP
1 1/2 cups dried lentils and beans
700gm/ 1.5 pounds meaty ham bone or smoked hock
1 chopped onion
1 can diced tomatoes including juice
1 pkt vegetable soup mix.
Place beans and lentils into a bowl cover to ( 2 inches) above beans and leave overnight to soften, then drain and rinse.
Place into your cooker and add ham bone or hock and the onion and cover with 9 cups water, cook on high 4-5 hours until beans are tender
Remove hock and remove skin and bones when cool enough to handle,chop meat and place back in cooker
Add tomatoes ,soup mix, ( S&P}, if desired,stir and cook on High for about an hour until veg is tender.
Makes approx 3 litres /13 1/2 cups
Serve with chunky bread,rolls or toast
Copied from about dot com
Sweet and Spicy Crock pot Chicken
This simple recipe combines sweet and sour sauce, barbecue sauce, and chicken in a five ingredient recipe with a fabulous flavour. The chicken becomes meltingly tender when cooked this way. You can add any other vegetable to this recipe; I added a chopped green bell pepper the last time I made it. Sliced carrots, zucchini, or any Asian vegetable would be delicious too.
Ingredients:
2 lbs/ 1kg approx,. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced/ or minced garlic
1 onion, chopped
1 cup purchased sweet and sour sauce
3/4 cup purchased barbecue sauce
1-2 Tbsp. cornstarch / cornflour, if needed
2 Tbsp. water, if needed
Combine all ingredients in 4-5 quart / 4-5 Litre slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours until chicken is thoroughly cooked. If you'd like a thicker sauce,
mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and add to the liquid; cover and cook 10-15 minutes until thickened. Serve over hot cooked rice or couscous.
Note: Remember, if you have a newer crock pot that cooks hotter, check the chicken at 6 or 7 hours. If your food burns, it was cooked too long. You must know if your crock pot cooks hotter.
Cooking a whole Chicken
1 Chicken or 2 very small
1 Onion
1 Carrot
1 potato
Always use a defrosted chicken and pat dry with paper towel before placing in the cooker.
If desired place above vegetables in the base of cooker first but you do not have to use them at all.
Place Chicken, Do not add water or stock as the chicken will make its own juice.
Cook 6-8 hours on high, slow cooker temperatures can vary so check at the 6 hour mark and continue if needed
Always make sure the chicken is cooked right through the middle.
Pea and Ham Soup
I always save my Ham bone from Christmas to make my first pot of Pea and Ham soup
I don't check it's weight so will take a stab at the amount you will need
You can purchase Ham bones but in honesty as the price gets more expensive the amount of meat left on the bones is minimal
However you will still get good flavour out of the bones.
Ham Hocks are more expensive but supply more meat.
Ingredients
500-700grams Ham bones,Hocks.
6 cups/ 11/2 litres water or chicken or vegetable stock
500grams dried split peas, now I like 1/2 yellow and 1/2 green but you can use all of either.
1 Large Onion chopped
peppercorns or pepper (if desired)
Note* here I never add salt until after if it needs it ,
You can add chopped carrot,celery or capsicum/pepper
Method,
Always rinse your split peas you never know where they have been LOL
Now you do not have to pre-soak, but I prefer to even if only for 2-3 hours or you can soak overnight.
Add all these ingredients to your crock pot/ slow cooker
Set on High 6-8 hours or Low approx 10 hours.
Now you can remove your bones and meat after about 4 hours if you wish it can be easier to separate the meat from the bones without all the peas stuck to it but that is your choice.
Pop the meat back into the Pot.
When this is cooked to your liking you may need to mash the peas a bit you could even vitamise.
Serve with crumpets ,bread or toast.
Now this leads me to the true Aussie dish
Pie Floater
Heat your Meat Pies of choice
Place each in deep bowl for each person
Pour over Pea soup to almost cover pie
Add a splosh of Tomato sauce /Ketchup
You don't know what your missing until you try this!
Corned Beef / Silverside
Last weekend I cooked a 1 Kilo ( 2.2LB ) piece of Corned Beef in my slow cooker very differently to the way I have in past.
Prior I had placed my meat on some veg and placed 1-2 cups of water or stock and the usual vinegar, sugar, spices etc.
I had not always had a lovely tender piece of meat at the end of the cooking process, some areas were a bit dry.
So this time I scoured the www for different ways and then adapted to what ingredients I had on hand.
I had a beautifully ,scrumptious piece of corned beef and this is what I did.
Using what ever size piece of corned meat you choose for your family that fits comfortably in your slow cooker / crock pot. Rinse under cold water.
Cover this with boiling water, yes boiling water! I would approximate maybe 6-7 cups
I always add vinegar but decided to use some Apple Cider Vinegar I had in my cupboard, I used 1cup but do not add this much ordinary vinegar
Just a splosh if you use ordinary,
I added a large onion, roughly cut into wedges
A Tablespoon Sugar
Cracked black pepper ( optional )
Do not add salt.
Cook on High maybe 6-7 hours test for doneness with a fork if you feel it is not tender enough cook longer.
I then left mine on Low until I was ready to serve.
That”s it.
You can add all sorts of things to this but do not go out and specifically buy it, cloves,bay leaf,peppercorns,potatoes,carrots.
If you have None of the ingredients fine just cook it in the water.
Cheers
Chicken Casseroles, Schnitzels
Chicken
Casseroles, Schnitzels
Home made Chicken Schnitzel2 large chicken breasts
1 cup plain flour seasoned with salt and pepper
1 egg, whisked with 1 tablespoon water
2 cups dry breadcrumbs
500 ml vegetable oil
Place chicken breast on chopping board and with a sharp knife, slice evenly through to create 2 or depending on thickness, even 3 thin fillets of chicken. Flatten out to even width with a rolling pin or meat tenderiser, if desired.
Lay out three large dishes ready to coat the chicken - one with seasoned flour, one with egg mix, another with breadcrumbLightly coat the chicken with flour, shake off excess, dip each side into egg, then coat with breadcrumbs. I like to really push into the crumbs to help stick
Heat a deep frying pan with the oil and one or two at a time, cook the chicken schnitzel, turning over once the underside turns golden brown.
Drain on absorbent kitchen paper and stand the cooked schnitzel upright so more of the oil is able to drain away.
Serve with healthy salad or chips or both.
Cakes and Slices Should satisfy sweet tooths
This first recipe has been placed by my Son in Law, Ryan who lived in New Orleans prior to meeting my daughter and moving to Australia.
I had never heard of this cake Red Velvet let alone tasted it and it is to die for .
Here is Ryans version:
Red Velvet Cake
Ingredients:
Vanilla cake mix made as per packet directions
But use buttermilk ( to one cup of milk add 1 Tablespoon of Vinegar and leave for 15 mins or until it curdles)
1 teaspoon of Vanilla essence
1Tablespoon of cocoa powder
2 Tablespoon of red food colouring
Mix altogether
Bake for 35 Minutes Cool On cake rack
CREAM CHEESE ICING
450g Cream cheese - softened
120g butter - softened
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
2 cups of icing sugar
Half a cup of cream
Put all in a bowl and beat using an electric mixer until all is a smooth consistency.
Ice the cake immediately and decorate as you would like.
Enjoy
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Larissa's Slice ( recipe given by Colina Baldwin 2004)
This is really lovely and so easy.
1 Pkt of B&G Vanilla Cake mix.
1 Cup Coconut
125 gm Butter/ Marg
Mix all these ingredients and put in a greased 12"x 9" tin
Bake at 180c for 20 minutes.
Topping
1 small carton Sour Cream
I small tin Pie Apple.
2 dessertspoons sugar.
Mix these ingredients together and spread over cake base.
Sprinkle with Nutmeg if desired.
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Chocolate Beetroot Cake.
Sounds strange doesn't it but this is one of the most moist chocolate cakes you will ever make.
1 cup Vegetable Oil
11/4 cups Castor Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence
I cup puréed Beetroot fresh or canned.
3 Eggs beaten
11/2 cups SR Flour
1/2 cup Cocoa
Method
Pre heat oven 150c(300F) fan forced oven
or 170c (330F) Conventional oven
Grease a 20cm (8") cake tin
Mix together oil,sugar,vanilla,beetroot.
Gradually add eggs
Stir in sifted flour and cocoa
Pour in to tin and bake in oven approx 70 minutes.
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Barbara Stevens( Australia)
has given her recipe for a favourite cake
Everyone in our family loves this one...........
Blackfella Cake.
1 cup mixed Fruit.
2 tablespoons butter.
1 1/2 cups of water.
1 tablespoon of olive oil.
1 tablespoon of Golden Syrup.
1 cup of sugar.
heaped big teaspoon of bi-carb-soda.
1 teaspoon of mixed spice.
boil together,cool then add 2 cups S.R.flour.
put in 8x8 fruit cake tin.
Bake in moderate oven for 1 hour.
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Orange Butter Cake
125gm (4oz) butter/ margarine
¾ cup castor sugar
Grated rind of 2 oranges
2 eggs ( room temperature)
1 ½ cups of SR Flour ( sifted)
¼ cup orange juice
¼ cup milk
Method
Pre-Heat oven to 180C/350F
Grease well a 18cm/7 inch cake tin or loaf pan of choice.
Cream margarine and sugar and orange rind together.
Add eggs, one at a time mixing well after each.
Fold through sifted flour and when mixed thoroughly
Stir gently through the orange juice and milk.
Bake for 50 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
I mix all this on the lowest setting with my electric hand beater but try not to over mix.
I have successfully doubled this recipe but make sure to mix in a large bowl!.
Bake at the original 50 minutes DO NOT double your cooking time,you can drop your oven temperature back 20 degrees.
Use a LARGER cake tin I used a 8inch square for this one and it was cooked in 55 minutes. I feel you could use a larger tin if you want but the 8 inch was great for me.
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Milk chocolate Icing
170-200gm milk chocolate( broken into pieces)
200 gm cream cheese ( softened)
1 cup Icing Sugar ( sifted)
¼ cup cream
3 Tablespoons Orange Juice
Method
If not using the softened cream cheese lift out your block of cream cheese and soften I actually like about 45 mins-1 hour. Cut into small pieces into your mixing bowl or place the softened tub into the bowl.
Add the 3 Tablespoons of orange juice and blend on a very low setting of your electric mixer or mix well by hand.
Add in small amounts at a time of your sifted Icing sugar and mix well.
Add your cream and mix well.
Place your broken up chocolate pieces into a heavy base saucepan and set on the lowest heat setting on your cook top.
Stir constantly with a wooden spoon
As soon as this is melted remove from heat and let cool.
This does not take long.
Pour your melted chocolate into your pre prepared cream icing mix and stir through slowly and gently until well mixed.
Place in the refrigerator covered until ready to use.
I had never heard of this cake Red Velvet let alone tasted it and it is to die for .
Here is Ryans version:
Red Velvet Cake
Ingredients:
Vanilla cake mix made as per packet directions
But use buttermilk ( to one cup of milk add 1 Tablespoon of Vinegar and leave for 15 mins or until it curdles)
1 teaspoon of Vanilla essence
1Tablespoon of cocoa powder
2 Tablespoon of red food colouring
Mix altogether
Bake for 35 Minutes Cool On cake rack
CREAM CHEESE ICING
450g Cream cheese - softened
120g butter - softened
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
2 cups of icing sugar
Half a cup of cream
Put all in a bowl and beat using an electric mixer until all is a smooth consistency.
Ice the cake immediately and decorate as you would like.
Enjoy
Larissa's Slice ( recipe given by Colina Baldwin 2004)
This is really lovely and so easy.
1 Pkt of B&G Vanilla Cake mix.
1 Cup Coconut
125 gm Butter/ Marg
Mix all these ingredients and put in a greased 12"x 9" tin
Bake at 180c for 20 minutes.
Topping
1 small carton Sour Cream
I small tin Pie Apple.
2 dessertspoons sugar.
Mix these ingredients together and spread over cake base.
Sprinkle with Nutmeg if desired.
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Chocolate Beetroot Cake.
Sounds strange doesn't it but this is one of the most moist chocolate cakes you will ever make.
1 cup Vegetable Oil
11/4 cups Castor Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence
I cup puréed Beetroot fresh or canned.
3 Eggs beaten
11/2 cups SR Flour
1/2 cup Cocoa
Method
Pre heat oven 150c(300F) fan forced oven
or 170c (330F) Conventional oven
Grease a 20cm (8") cake tin
Mix together oil,sugar,vanilla,beetroot.
Gradually add eggs
Stir in sifted flour and cocoa
Pour in to tin and bake in oven approx 70 minutes.
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Barbara Stevens( Australia)
has given her recipe for a favourite cake
Everyone in our family loves this one...........
Blackfella Cake.
1 cup mixed Fruit.
2 tablespoons butter.
1 1/2 cups of water.
1 tablespoon of olive oil.
1 tablespoon of Golden Syrup.
1 cup of sugar.
heaped big teaspoon of bi-carb-soda.
1 teaspoon of mixed spice.
boil together,cool then add 2 cups S.R.flour.
put in 8x8 fruit cake tin.
Bake in moderate oven for 1 hour.
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Orange Butter Cake
125gm (4oz) butter/ margarine
¾ cup castor sugar
Grated rind of 2 oranges
2 eggs ( room temperature)
1 ½ cups of SR Flour ( sifted)
¼ cup orange juice
¼ cup milk
Method
Pre-Heat oven to 180C/350F
Grease well a 18cm/7 inch cake tin or loaf pan of choice.
Cream margarine and sugar and orange rind together.
Add eggs, one at a time mixing well after each.
Fold through sifted flour and when mixed thoroughly
Stir gently through the orange juice and milk.
Bake for 50 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
I mix all this on the lowest setting with my electric hand beater but try not to over mix.
I have successfully doubled this recipe but make sure to mix in a large bowl!.
Bake at the original 50 minutes DO NOT double your cooking time,you can drop your oven temperature back 20 degrees.
Use a LARGER cake tin I used a 8inch square for this one and it was cooked in 55 minutes. I feel you could use a larger tin if you want but the 8 inch was great for me.
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Milk chocolate Icing
170-200gm milk chocolate( broken into pieces)
200 gm cream cheese ( softened)
1 cup Icing Sugar ( sifted)
¼ cup cream
3 Tablespoons Orange Juice
Method
If not using the softened cream cheese lift out your block of cream cheese and soften I actually like about 45 mins-1 hour. Cut into small pieces into your mixing bowl or place the softened tub into the bowl.
Add the 3 Tablespoons of orange juice and blend on a very low setting of your electric mixer or mix well by hand.
Add in small amounts at a time of your sifted Icing sugar and mix well.
Add your cream and mix well.
Place your broken up chocolate pieces into a heavy base saucepan and set on the lowest heat setting on your cook top.
Stir constantly with a wooden spoon
As soon as this is melted remove from heat and let cool.
This does not take long.
Pour your melted chocolate into your pre prepared cream icing mix and stir through slowly and gently until well mixed.
Place in the refrigerator covered until ready to use.
Breads
Damper is a traditional Australian bread prepared by Swagmen & Drovers in the Australian Bush.Traditionally baked in the coals of a campfire.Originally made with flour and water. Damper is an iconic Australian dish. It can also be made while camping and at home in your oven. I was given the opportunity to bake Damper in coals while cooking on a Station for the Stockmen and at that time cooked my first stew in a camp oven under beautiful bright stars on a clear dark Australian night.BUSH DAMPER
3 cups of self-raising flour
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
Sift flour and salt into a bowl, rub in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
Make a well in the centre, add the combined milk and water, mix lightly with a knife until dough leaves sides of bowl.
Gently knead on a lightly floured surface and then shape into a round, put on a greased oven tray. Pat into a round 15-16 cm (6-6 1/2 inch) diameter.
With sharp knife, cut two slits across dough like a cross, approximately 1cm (1/2in) deep.
Brush top of dough with milk.
Sift a little extra flour over dough.
Bake in a hot oven for 10 minutes, or until golden brown.200c/ 400f
Reduce heat to moderate and bake another 20 minutes.
Serve slathered in butter, on its own or with cheese,jam,peanut butter or of course that other Australian icon Vegemite
Feeding your family
Feeding a family
Not easy these days
What led me to start a FB group and write this blog the ever spiralling food prices. Seriously I feel we are being rorted by the food chains however there is little we can do about that as we all need to eat and to feed our children.We can however learn to be thrifty, try to become self sufficient after all our ancestors before us were, they survived the Depression and Wars, under far more difficult circumstances than we have now, but back in those good old days they grew their own produce, vegetables and fruit trees and of course then they would have a cow for milk, make butter and cheese, chooks my daughter would love to add chooks to her agenda of Veg growing but my garden is really too small but for any who have the space I would encourage it.
Wisely many used a barter system swapping something you have with a friend or relative with something they have so you may swap some peaches for some tomatoes good way to go.
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Created from my FaceBook group of the same name
http://www.zazzle.com/myshelle*
"Welcome to all who venture in here. A group for family and friends to share recipes, tips and hints. As our grocery prices are forever on the increase weekly, for many it will be back to basics a much more economical way of cooking and I think with the advent of all the latest cooking shows many are already on the way. There are lots of recipes out there that are cost saving for families, particularly those with children. Invite your family and friends to join us, post their ideas,any hints and recipes. If you see any really good weekly supermarket specials post them here tooI first started this as a Facebook Group and as I was already saving my work in documents I thought I would go ahead and write a blog as well.
This way anyone around the world can have access to these recipes as far as I am aware all recipes here have been tried and tested. If copied I would encourage to quote and give reference to the writer or source of that recipe.
"Welcome to all who venture in here. A group for family and friends to share recipes, tips and hints. As our grocery prices are forever on the increase weekly, for many it will be back to basics a much more economical way of cooking and I think with the advent of all the latest cooking shows many are already on the way. There are lots of recipes out there that are cost saving for families, particularly those with children. Invite your family and friends to join us, post their ideas,any hints and recipes. If you see any really good weekly supermarket specials post them here tooI first started this as a Facebook Group and as I was already saving my work in documents I thought I would go ahead and write a blog as well.
This way anyone around the world can have access to these recipes as far as I am aware all recipes here have been tried and tested. If copied I would encourage to quote and give reference to the writer or source of that recipe.
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