I found this little gem whilst trawling the internet recently. We adore refried beans but I do have a problem with the amount of (usually saturated) fat they contain. I also hate buying canned bean products as the price is so much higher than using them dried. The smells that have been wafting through the […]
While I haven’t been blogging, I have been reading blogs. There are so many blogs about frugal food coming out of the US its crazy. Much of it is food I wouldn’t feed my dog but there are some great ideas, based on real food. This recipe for an inexpensive meat substitute for tacos is […]
I’m going through one of my frenzies of cleaning out the fridge and pantry. Every now and again I seem to get a build up of obscure ingredients and just before Christmas when I’m trying to save money is a great time to use them all up. Not only does it tidy up the cupboards […]
Being Sunday, it’s First Born’s turn to cook. Tonight, he has whipped up a broad bean and feta risotto in the thermomix. I can’t say it often enough, the thermomix is absolutely brilliant for teaching children to cook. The risotto was fantastic and First Born was very proud of himself. As well he should be. […]
The end of spring in Melbourne has been scorchingly hot. Which I am absolutely relishing. I love both the warmth and the complete transformation of our meals into the wonderful world of salads. We’ve had this one twice since I first threw it together a week ago, the second time with the addition of some […]
At the very start of winter, I made a massive big pot of minestrone, or what passes for it in this house, I don’t stick to a traditional recipe. This week, we finished it. So today I made another pot. When I say massive, I am referring to my industrial size stock pot, the capacity […]
Sometimes, the simplest of meals receives the highest accolades. Tonight was one of those nights. Some simple little prawn and potato patties made from $3 of prawns and 3 potatoes with a simple lemon chive sauce and a mound of steamed vegetables. The family feed for just under $6 and the plates licked clean. There […]
School holidays have finished and the Ankle Biters have returned to their term time routines. One thing I have noticed about school holidays is that they could easily become very expensive propositions. Not in this house. I’m not wired that way. Poor Ankle Biters. Instead, we have movie days at home with popcorn and biscuits. […]
Take 1 Buddhist Monk, slice thinly, simmer gently until tender… OK, sorry, in our family that is known as Graeme humour. You can blame my dear old Dad. This is a soup I’ve been meaning to try for many years. Finally, it’s time has come and it smells delicious. Just need the Ankle Biters and […]
This soup is a ‘Nana from the depression era’ soup. Incredibly simple and cheap to make with more flavour than the ingredients would suggest. It’s a good one for fussy kids too. Unless you’ve got one of those spoiled, expensive menfolk who insist on a slab of meat at each meal, this makes a hearty […]