Let’s get really creative…

Firstly thanks for the messages regarding my posts, I am glad someone is enjoying them.  I think I must of needed a creative outlet and it’s a bonus that someone actually reads them.

Day 4:

Bread? What bread?  ok so desperate times call for desperate measures (no bread) so it’s time I pull out the baking skills, (not that I really have many).  I found a packet of multi grain bread mix that I bought goodness knows when that had just run out of date.  With no other option as we now have no flour, it was time to give it a go.  I could of dusted off the old bread maker instead decided to just make in my Bellini, can’t be that hard right?  only problem was the packet only had instructions for the bread maker so it was all trial and error.  The mix seemed very wet but not really having much experience I thought I would give it a go.  I kneaded and then covered to let rise which it did, however the rolls although edible were quite dense.   Not to be beaten I attempted another round this time cutting down on the water and OMG they were amazing.

“burgers for dinner”

Day 5:

Cant go wrong with pasta.  To me pasta is definitely not slumming it and it amazes me that pasta can taste so good with very few ingredients.  I made this quick pesto using fresh basil and chili from the garden, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and olive oil. (would normally add pinenuts)  Pasta went something like this:

• Boil pasta
• Fry up ingredients I used chopped onion, zucchini and a few mushrooms I
  found at the bottom of the crisper.
• Mix up pesto in processor
• Add pesto to fried ingredients, add a little cream and strained pasta.  Top with Parmesan.#getinmybelly

Day 6:  Shopping Day (happyface)

So the time came to do the shopping and I don’t think I have ever been so excited.  Remembering my goal of only spending $200 or under I was under pressure.  I made two mistakes on this day.  Mistake number 1 I took my son, mistake number 2, I was starving.  At the end of the day I spent $250.00 but this included baby formula and nappies which added up to $50.00.

Although joking around I am fully aware that we have not slummed it during our challenge and are very fortunate compared to some families who are truly struggling to get any food on the table, but looked at it as a bit of fun and to be forced to get creative with food.  I am lucky I do not live close to a supermarket as it would be too easy to drop in daily and be tempted to buy items that you either do not need or would not buy normally.

I would be interested in future to actually do a similar challenge but start with a certain amount of groceries to a dollar amount and see if you could in fact live on that amount for the week (no cheating), and what you could create.

I enjoyed getting back to basics and although I don’t often use packet sauces etc it was reassuring knowing most of what was in our food.

I hope you have enjoyed a few snippets of our challenge….

Cheers

One not so hungry mumma xoxo

 

 

 

Let the surival continue..

Day 3:

The fridge is getting very bare nearly out of cheese and vegetables, so it’s time to do the grocery list.  My challenge is to keep groceries to under $200.00.  This seems a lot but considering groceries can cost anywhere up to $350.00 this is quite a saving.  I have been thinking about other ways to save on groceries so was all set to make my own washing powder it’s easy just lux flakes, bi carb soda and tea tree oil,  after further investigation I realised it would actually cost me more to make my own than to buy a box of ready made.

This morning it was my mission to bake something for my son to take to school for lunch, I offered choc chip cookies but apparently they are too unhealthy so I looked to Google for other options.  Recipes that were apparently kid friendly were definitely not in my house hold and to be honest I don’t think I would even give them a go.  The conclusion plain old scones (I am not the best scone maker but at least these ones are edible) and cheesy Vegemite scrolls (surprisingly good).

Dinner tonight good old fashioned meat loaf, mainly because we don’t have alot of other meat and also wanted something for sandwiches the next day.

Meatloaf recipe:  You can experiment with this depending on what sauces you have in the cupboard.  You could also add grated carrot and zucchini.

Meatloaf:

• 1.5 kg mince
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 2 TBS Worcestershire sauce
• 2 TBS American mustard
• 3 TBS BBQ sauce
• 2 TBS sweet chili sauce
• 2 TBS tomato sauce
• Salt and pepper

Glaze:

• 1 TBS BBQ sauce
• 2 TBS Honey
• 1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
• 1 TBS tomato sauce

Method:

• Mix all meatloaf ingredients together and transfer to a well oiled loaf pan.
• Mix all glaze ingredients in a separate bowl and pour over the top of the meatloaf.
• Bake in 180 pre heated oven for approx 40 – 45 mins or until meatloaf is cooked.

 

• 

Make something out of not much.

With the recent utility bills starting to pile in I have been looking at ways that I can save a few dollars.  The challenge I have set for this week is to cut down on grocery shopping and by finding recipe’s to suit whatever I have already in the pantry or fridge and just purchasing the necessities.  Now I am thinking at this stage this probably isn’t the best week to set myself this challenge as I am quickly running out of staples like flour, butter etc but we will see how we go.

Day One:

Chicken Thigh Fillet soup with barley and vegetables served with homemade nut bread.

The soup wash delish and definitely a thumbs up for all including Miss 9 month old.  The Paleo seed and nut bread was different, very rich (I could only have one slice) but nice for a change.  This bread was definitely not a cheap option as most of the ingredients are quite expensive.  I felt healthy eating it, but still wonder about the amount of fat (although good fat) coming from the seeds, nuts and coconut oil).  Regardless it was a nice accompaniment to the hearty chicken soup.  Definitely food for the soul.

Chicken soup (sorry don’t have measurement’s)

Water (didn’t have any stock) enough to cover ingredients

I kg chicken thigh fillets

celery, broccoli, carrot, can white beans, onion, leak

salt, pepper, thyme, sumac, mild paprika

Barley and red lentils

Small tin of tomato paste

Fry up onion, leak with little butter or oil, add vegetables and chopped chicken.  When slightly browned add water, tomato paste, barley, lentils and spices.  Cook for approx. 2 hours or until all ingredients are soft and chicken is falling apart.

Paleo Seed and Nut Bread (Pete Evans recipe courtesy of Travelletto)

In Pete Evan’s recipe he asks for the nuts to be activated but I didn’t have the time or care to do this.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons sunflower seeds plus extra for sprinkling)
• 3 tablespoons pumpkin seeds ,plus extra for sprinkling)
• 1 tablespoon black or white chia seeds (plus extra for sprinkling)
• 50g or 1/3 cup almonds
• 150g (1 1/2 cups) almond meal
• 3 tablespoons LSA (linseed, sunflower seed, almond meal)
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 2 tablespoons coconut flour
• 6 eggs
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional –I didn’t use this)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 4 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

Method

Preheat oven to 160 degrees. Grease a 20cm x 10cm loaf tine and line the base and sides with baking paper.

Mix all ingredients together and combine well. The mixture will resemble a batter rather than a dough.

Pour the dough into the prepared loaf tin and smooth out evenly with a spatula. Sprinkled the extra seeds on top and pat down slightly so they stick into the batter.

Bake for 45-50 mins. Be sure to use a skewer to test to see if it is cooked. If it comes out clean when inserted into the centre of the loaf, it’s cooked. Remove from oven and let cool in the tin before turning it out.

Stores in the fridge for up to five days.

For full recipe-click this link Seed and nut bread

Day two: 

As part of this challenge I have decided to prepare at least one vegetarian meal a week to not only help cut costs but I believe we rely way too much on meat and I know we eat way too much chicken.  The challenge with this is finding or creating recipes that all the family will enjoy and that  fill Mr 15 who eats like a starving elephant.  Today I needed something quick and easy as I was out all afternoon so I prepared vegetable fritters with avocado mayonnaise earlier and then just had to fry up the fritters when I got home.  One glass of red wine later and fritters were done. Thumbs up from hubby who took left overs for lunch and Mr 15.  (happy days)

 

Vegetable Fritters recipe (courtesy www.taste.com.au)

400gms potato’s

1 carrot

2 zucchinis grated

125g can corn kernels, drained (I used fresh)

1 onion, chopped

1/2 cup SR flour

1/2 TSP salt and 1/4 cup fresh parsley (I used parsley and dill dried as I didn’t have fresh)

3 eggs separated

2 TBS olive oil

Peel potato’s and carrot.  Grate into a bowl.  Add zucchini, corn, onion, flour, salt, parsley and egg yolks into a bowl.  Stir to combine.

Place egg whites into a bowl and beat until stiff peaks form.  Fold through vegetable mixture.  ( I wonder if this step is necessary?)

Heat a large pan over medium heat.  Add a little oil.  Add 1/3 cup of the mixture and cook for 5 minutes.  Cook 4 at a time.  Turn and cook for a further 5 / 8 minutes.  Repeat.

Avocado mayonnaise                    

1 Large avocado or 2 small

2 TBS water

2 – 3 TBS lemon juice

Salt and pepper

Blend all ingredients with a stick mixer or blender.

 

 

So far so good………….

 

 

 

The beginning

It was from this fresh dish of tomato’s that One Hungry Mumma was born.  With an abundance of tomato’s and herbs out of the garden I decided to cook some up extra to freeze to use as an easy, healthy and cost effective pasta sauce.  It was with cooking these tomato’s that I remember having an “aha moment”.  There is no better feeling than when you have created a meal from scratch either from beautiful home grown ingredients or being creative using up whatever is left in the fridge, cupboard or freezer.  I often hear people saying they hate cooking, well yes there are times that I dread the rushed dinner time but generally I love to eat good healthy (and sometimes not so healthy) food and the only way for me and my family to have that is to make it ourselves.

About me:  Married at 19 and now 37 I live with my husband, 15 year old son, and 9 month old daughter in a small town in Queensland, Australia.  In August 2015 our family was flipped upside down when we welcomed our beautiful little girl into our lives.  With this change comes awareness and consciousness and basically looking at our lives and what we are doing in a completely different perspective.  This blog is about family, friends, health, challenging ourselves and most importantly cost effective, fun and fabulous food.

I hope you will join me xoxo