Table For Five

Both beef and vegetables in this recipe can be cooked on the barbecue and making the couscous could hardly be called cooking. It's a perfect meal for outdoor and indoor cooks. I have to admit: by the time winter draws to close I am over this whole cooking thing. It's hot meals every single night. It's puddings, it's stodge and it’s endless hours in the kitchen. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE to eat, I am not over that at all. When it's cold outside that comfort food is a welcome ending to the day and so worth the effort but, when the sun is shining on fresh green shoots and vibrant colours, our kitchen window is not the best vantage point to enjoy Springtime. Our barbecue on the other hand….. We may live in a crappy old house but this view, even on a cloudy day, will never get old. I don't use the “H” word very often but surely I’ve nailed it with this one?! High in iron, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, zinc….. th...

A homemade burger deserves a fresh baked hamburger bun and this soft bread roll recipe is the perfect solution. Soft and fluffy with just the right amount of salt and sweetness, the way bread should be. Soft Burger Buns Makes 8 ---Ingredients--- 12g dry yeast  ( 3 teaspoons) 20g caster sugar  (1 teaspoon + 3 teaspoons) 125mls warm water  (½ cup) 125mls milk  (½ cup) 1 large egg 30mls vegetable oil (6 teaspoons) ½ teaspoon salt 450g plain flour (3 cups, firmly packed) 15-20g butter (1 tablespoon) ---Method--- •Place yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar in a small bowl and gently whisk in warm water. Set bowl aside in a warm place for five minutes or until mixture bubbles into a froth on top. •In another small bowl or jug whisk milk, egg, oil, salt and remaining sugar together. •Combine both mixtures and in a large bowl/standing mixer, mix flour with wet ingredients until mixture begins to come together. Use kneading hooks to...

A truely authentic fried Rice this is not. Fast, simple and versatile is what it is . The measurements in this recipe are not terribly important. The amount of oil to rice is really the only detail that needs attention. There should be just enough to coat the rice and give it a nice glossy shine. Too much and the dish will be greasy. Too little and the rice will stick to itself and the pan. All other ingredients are not only flexible in quantity but can also be substituted or simply omitted.  Keeps well, covered, in the fridge for up to 4 days. Fried Rice --- Ingredients --- 1 ½ cups uncooked rice (Or 2 ½ - 3 cups cooked rice) 1 egg, lightly beaten ¼ cup cooking oil ¼ teaspoon salt * optional (Or 1 Tablespoon soy sauce) 1 red onion or spring onions -diced 200g Ham -diced 1 ½ cups frozen peas and corn (drained if canned) --- Method --- • To cook the rice: Place rice in a medium saucepan with  2 ½  cups cold water. Bring to the bo...

Originally, I had thought this would be great recipe for using up leftover burger patties but, as time (and burger nights) went by, I realised how ridiculous the notion was... There's no such thing as leftover patties! If, by some miracle, you do happen to have some, just break or dice them into small pieces. Cheeseburger Scrolls Makes 22 ---Ingredients--- Need a yoghurt free dough recipe? Try this one. Scroll Dough 1 cup Greek or Natural Yoghurt 2 cups Self Raising Flour 1 teaspoon Caster Sugar Filling 1 Tablespoon oil 300g Beef Mince ½ teaspoon Salt  ½ teaspoon Pepper 1 medium Brown Onion, finely diced 60mls* Tomato Sauce (¼ cup) 30mls* American mustard (⅛ cup) *according to your tastes 2 cups grated Tasty Cheese ---Method--- •Pour yoghurt into large bowl. Add sugar to flour and mix flour into yoghurt, ½ cup at a time until dough is a rollable consistency. You may need to add a little more flour if dough is too sticky . •Roll d...

Apparently zucchini is the most common choice when it comes to hidden vegetables. Veggie smugglers seem fixated with grating it into everything. I had started to wonder if my dear friend Zucchini had super powers with all the attention it receives. But alas, a mere vegetable is he (although technically a fruit) with a noted talent for blending in with the crowd. Even without any awesome special powers, I can't help but feel sorry for poor invisible Zucchini. Always hiding in the shadows. Never basking in the glow of centre stage. This one is for you, Zucchini. Today you are the star! Aglio ed Olio Zucchini (Garlic & Oil Zucchini) Serves 1-2 --- Ingredients --- 1 Zucchini ½ Tablespoon Olive Oil 2 cloves Garlic --- Method --- •Slice zucchini about ½cm thickness lengthwise. Toss slices in oil to coat. •Peel garlic cloves and give each one a good bash with the flat side of your knife. Rub garlic on each zucchini slice. •Heat a frypan, grill...

Pancake, Hotcake, Dropscone? Who cares?! Scotch pancakes contain raising agents for a thick and fluffy result.  And so, in order to be foodatomically correct, I dub thee Scotch Pancakes. Rise and be fluffy! What's in a name? Would not a flat cake by any other name taste just as sweet - or savoury? Scotch Pancakes 2 cups self raising flour 1/3 cup caster sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla essence 2 eggs 1 ¼ cups milk (+ a little more) * Optional * ¼ cup chocolate (chips, shaved or chopped)  •Whisk all ingredients,  except   chocolate,  together. Mixture should form a thick but pourable batter. If too thick add small amounts of milk until smooth and pourable. • Heat a large frypan/skillet to medium high. • You can use a small amount of butter or oil if necessary to keep pancakes from sticking to the base. • Using a soup ladle or large spoon, spoon mixture into frypan - about ¼ of a cup per pancake. Sprinkle chocolate evenly on surface. • Co...

A while ago I was challenged to come up with some canned/packaged goods recipes. A big reason why struggling families might rely on canned and packaged foods is that donations need to have a reasonable shelf life. To be honest, I didn't expect this challenge to be as difficult as it is and I certainly have a new respect for those who, for whatever reason, rely on long life products as their main food source.

When I published the third edition of   2 Weeks of Dinners for Five I did not imagine that it or the baked risotto would raise so much interest. I’d like to thank everyone who expressed an interest in this recipe and apologise for delay in getting it out to you. I hope your patience will be rewarded with what I believe is a pretty darn tasty meal. As the name implies, it’s baked. If, like me, you find it difficult to tend to the stove top for a full half hour with no interruptions this recipe may be the answer you’re looking for. The best part: it's adaptable. Add peas and corn, grated zucchini, swap out chorizo for ham/chicken etc. As long as whatever you add won't absorb the liquid you're good. You will need a 4ltre (minimum) dutch oven/casserole dish OR a large fry pan and 4ltre capacity baking dish with lid . * I usually pre-bake the sweet potato up to two days before hand whilst the oven in already in use for something else (waste not want not 😉) 6-8...

***Based on my husband'' recipe, which is much nicer than mine.**" Lasagne bolognese is simple enough to make but it does take time. Don't worry, most of it is cooking time, it's just not a meal that you can whip up on a spur of the moment whim.

I’m asked so often to share my shopping lists and meal plans which is why I have shared these past 6 weeks with you. We don't just feed our family on less than $150 per week. It includes  washing and cleaning products, personal hygiene etc. And  we feel we live quite well.

A good Vanilla Cake is a must have recipe for any home Baker. The lightly crisp crunch on the outside and a soft fluffy center make this vanilla cake recipe my all time favorite and most turned to when I need something sweet, simple and elegant.

A hearty soup served with a side of crusty bread. It's the ultimate winter warmer. The addition of chorizo adds a depth of smokey, well spiced flavour which, coupled with the diced tomatoes, seems like a match made in heaven. Romantic jargon translation: It’s got a spicy sausage in it and it’s bloody delicious!

Entering this fortnight after a low cost two weeks weighing in at $170 I knew I had little chance of replicating those results. Supplies were low, it was school holiday chaos and the plan was not properly thought out. Still, in the interest of keeping it real, here it is.

I have a whole collection of what I call “Blank Canvas Recipes”. These are recipes in their most basic form that can be changed up to create any number of variations. This is one such recipe. We’ve curried it, we’ve pepper steak and mushroomed it, we’ve hidden extra veggies, herbed, spiced and, on the odd occasion, made a real mess of it. What can I say? It happens. When you like to get experimental in the kitchen (we’re cooking here, stay with me) there's no guarantees you'll get it right first time, every time. But at least with a good base recipe, I'm always off to a good start. Why puff pastry on the bottom? That's just how I like it. If you prefer to use shortcrust, the method is still the same. Beef mince pie

Pasta, Gnocchi, Pizza, Baked Potatoes…. I use this sauce as a base for a number of different meals. It's so simple. It can be premade and refrigerated or frozen in portions and can be added to or used as is. It's also super cheap, coming in at less than $1.50 per 500g. Versatile Stir Through Tomato Sauce ---Ingredients---  1 teaspoon oil 1 brown onion 3 cloves garlic 1x 400g can diced tomatoes 1 Tbls tomato paste 2 tsp basil ¼ tsp sage 1 tsp sugar

Meal plans are always the key when it comes to keeping costs down but I must admit, I'm more of a free form plan kinda gal myself. I like to have options, or at least think I do, and be able to alter the plan to fit

Damper, otherwise known as Bushman's Bread, is Australia’s soda bread. Traditionally this bread was made from nothing more than flour, salt and water, making it a convenient option for drovers and stockmen who needed to rely on non perishable ingredients while travelling. Thankfully I've never had to traverse the Australian outback without an Esky, or even a car for that matter. We love this bread with soups, casseroles or even just smeared with butter while the bread is still warm. Fresh bread is at it's best when it's still warm. Damper ---Ingredients---  3 ½ cups self raising flour ½ teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons caster sugar 40g butter ½ cup milk

The price comparison right now for Blueberries in Sydney is about $39 per kilo for fresh vs as low as $8 per kilo for frozen. Now I'm not going to tell you that frozen blueberries are as good as fresh but they are close enough, particularly considering the price difference. Mr.4 loves to 'help’ with this recipe and by “help”, I mean munching down on frozen berries while I cook. Although I protest at how many he eats, secretly I'm celebrating a win. Blueberry Slice

Macaroni cheese is not high on my favourites list. Ok, it doesn't get anywhere near making my favourites list. The kids, however, seem to think quite highly of it. Why should I deny them such a simple pleasure? Homemade Macaroni Cheese Sauce *Enough sauce for up to 350g pasta

I should start by telling you, I know very little about traditional Slavic dishes. This recipe was in fact inspired by a Swedish meatball sauce I had found over a year ago. Unfortunately I lost the original recipe link but I have used a variation of it before in this Creamy Mushroom Pasta . You don't have to use canned mushrooms. I choose them for price and availability. Fresh mushrooms will need to be added a little earlier to soften, then about 1/4 cup of water added. Beef Stroganoff ---Ingredients -  5 medium potatoes 1 Tablespoon rice bran oil 2 teaspoons