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Money Saving Tips

Extending meat

An adequate serve of meat is 75-100g per person. Meat can be extended by adding extra vegetables, legumes and breads and cereals to increase portion sizes or to make a meal go further.

Canned or dried lentils (which need to be soacked first) can be added to mince dishes, such as bolognaise and chilli con carne. They are very ecomical and nutritious and once cooked, look like mince. Using 250g of lean mince and 250g of soaked, dried lentils will cost around $3.50 compared to 500g of lean mince at $6.

Chickpeas are a great source of protein and provide a nutty flavour which is particularly well suited to chicken dishes.

Other canned and dried legumes, such as beans can be added to almost anything to bulk up and flavour and nutrients.

Make Low-Fat Milk

Use skim milk powder to make milk at home. Making your own milk is alot cheaper than buying fresh and is a convenient to have in the cupboard as the powder is non-perishable.

A 1kg packet of milk powder makes 10 Litres of milk. 

You can use also milk powder in recipes which require milk. Mix as follows:

  • 2 tablespoons milk powder and 1 cup water = 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup milk powder and 1 litre water = 1 litre milk

Make your own yoghurt

Sterilise a 500ml jar or bowl by filling slowly with boiling water and standing until ready to use. Add 2 tablespoons skim milk powder to 2 cups of milk, bring it to the boil, and then cool to 35°C (when a drop is placed on the wrist it is neither hot nor cold).

Blend 2 tablespoons of commercial plain yogurt with some of the milk and then add the remaining milk. Pour the milk mixture into the sterilised container, cover, and keep at 35°C (wrapped in a towel in an oven that is cooling after cooking) for six hours.

Potluck Dinners

A cheaper and more interesting alternative to going out to a restaurant with friends and family is to have a potluck dinner where everyone brings a homemade dish to share. This is also a great way to share recipes and cooking techniques.

 

 

 

Page last updated Fri, 29 Aug 2008 3:44 pm