Auntie, re onions, suck it up hun lol.. no, seriously, I don't find them too bad as you are not chopping them up, just removing the ends and peeling, after a kilo of them, your eyes adapt lol - like julie says, outside is good, I have done them outside with several wines before, just watch your fingers after the first bottle of wine lol, good luck, they ARE very crunchy and brown, those supermarket ones are revolting IMO! :o)

jenna68 - 2008-07-30 05:32:00

well as for pickling onions if you place them in the sink and pour boiling water over top of them leave till water goes cold then drain and peel ,give the onions a good roll around in the sink and the skins really loosen and hardly take any effort to remove them.....to shell nuts easily, just place the desired nut in a low heated oven check every 10-15 mins or until shells vrack then just seperate, great for those walnuts that always seem endless and take ages to crack and seperate

kob - 2008-07-30 07:33:00

Onions..thanks for the tips girls... I'm really keen on the outside tip - complete with glass of wine..lol...otherwise i might use my secret weapon - hubby, just the perfect trade - 1 or 2 kgs of onions n he watch Discovery chanel all night long.....

auntie6 - 2008-07-30 11:19:00

yay! great thread .... will have to bookmark till I have a couple of hours to read completely!!! :-)

loopydog - 2008-07-30 14:28:00

Muesli Bars / Birdseed Bars Great thread!
Muesli bars : Easy to make and to adapt to what you have on hand as long as you kept the melted liquid / dry ratio. 4 oz butter, 4 tbsp peanut butter, 1/2 cup honey, 1 cup brown sugar. In an electric frying pan combine these and cook over low heat until melted, Turn up to moderate and add 2 1/2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup rice bubbles, 1 cup bran flakes, 1/2 cup bran, 1/2 each wheatgerm, coconut, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumkin seeds, peanuts, and dried fruit. I often use a trail mix plus any seeds I have in pantry. Cook over moderate heat for 10 minuts until golden. Press firmly into tin and slice when cool.
For Birdseed Bars : Omit peanut butter and both bran products, make as above using seeds, chopped nuts and dried fruit if desired.

tumbleweeds2011 - 2008-07-30 19:00:00

LSA mix (my preference using Pumpkin seeds) I was buying LSA mix until I found a coffee grinder at Salvation army for $5 now I make my own using pumpkin seeds instead of almonds because we have a supply of walnuts we eat.
You can either buy ground linseeds or bags of linseeds and grind them yourself. 2 parts linseeds to 1 part each sunflower seeds and pumpkin seds. Grind all and mix together in large jar in fridge. Use in smoothies, baking, bread, porridge etc for added nutrition.

tumbleweeds2011 - 2008-07-30 19:04:00

There are quite a few things in the budgetting thread that I make myself. The butter spread is great, makes butter go further and I dislke margarine. I use 1 1b butter and 400 mls oil. Soften butter in blender, slowly pour in oil until fully blended.

Kobs laundry mix in that thread is also great.

We have a vege garden and I bottle fruit, make jams and chutneys etc in summer, I never buy anything like that.

tumbleweeds2011 - 2008-07-30 19:10:00

GREAT thread... i have copied and pasted most of it so I can't print it out and keep in on hand when needed....Its great to see so much knowledge out there and people who enjoy sharing it....

drewboy - 2008-07-30 20:26:00

This is a great thread bumping for others to read.

snowflake11 - 2008-07-30 21:53:00

afternoon bump going to try the bath cleaner with the lemon and salt tomorrow...

drewboy - 2008-07-31 15:35:00

Hi Everyone.. I'm glad the thread is being helpful... Hi Drewboy.. how is your vege garden growing.. hope all the rain hasn't affected it too badly.. and that it's flourishing..

juliewn - 2008-07-31 21:29:00

You guys Rock!! I too like to make things from scratch! I have been lucky enough to inherit my Grandmothers hand written cookbook, it is great reading, she was a great cook & up untill just b4 she died always had fresh baking in her tins. I enjoy reading the little comments she has written besides recipes, she always writes who they came from too. I find I do this now too!I love baking & as I work a sunday night shift in a busy cardiac ward I always make something to take along to share with my collegues. They think I am a legend but really it is very easy stuff like muffins & the fantastic recipes I have printed off this great website over the years. Dont you think its sad that making things from scratch has gone out the window? I have just printed this entire thread off to take the things I know I will use, THANKS again!

shellzg - 2008-08-01 10:20:00

Agree with you shellzg These threads are like grandmas recipe books. You remember the things like sunlight soap etc. Love these threads.

baznmiss - 2008-08-01 18:08:00

Great thread! Thanks for all the ideas......keep it going please!

sudy - 2008-08-01 19:48:00

Thanks so much :-) I'm thrilled that the thread is of help and of interest.. If anyone would like to know how to make a particular recipe, or would like suggestions for anything.. please ask.. there will be someone around who will be happy to help.. Have a lovely weekend Everyone.. Cheers.. Julie

juliewn - 2008-08-02 02:21:00

Julie - have you made almond butter? I'n going to have a go based on your peanut butter recipe but I'm wondering if I might need to add some oil?

bedazzledjewels - 2008-08-02 07:08:00

i have a book on all different vinegar uses from health and beauty (face peels..pimples) to garden and cleaning....will post them after sports if anyone is interested

bigeyez - 2008-08-02 07:44:00

Hi Prue. :-) I haven't made almond butter - though would think it would taste very good. I think if you toasted the almonds lightly, just until they had the barest hint of a change of colour, then made the butter before they are completely cooled, the natural oil will still be warm and might help to form the butter easily.. maybe try with a small amount first.. and let us know.. it sounds delicious..

juliewn - 2008-08-02 23:10:00

Hi Bigeyez.. your book sounds great.. :-) if you would like to share any of the recipes, it would be good to have them added to the thread.. any recipes, suggestions, tips, etc.. that can help to reduce or minimise costs and that use natural and easily available ingredients are welcome.. the more we can share, the more the opportunity for us all to make our lives better, even in small ways.. Thanks.. :-)

juliewn - 2008-08-02 23:13:00

What a great place to be. I woke very early this morning so decided to go thro from the start. I have spent a very in formative 2 hrs, A lot I learnt years ago but with supermarket shopping just forgot. Will now get into starting fresh again...Thanx everyone

imrae1 - 2008-08-03 07:47:00

Bump .

risey - 2008-08-04 13:49:00

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clareypen - 2008-08-04 16:02:00

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leo1232 - 2008-08-04 21:53:00

shellzg, I know how you feel about you nans cook books I was given my grans cookbooks before she died and they were the ones she had when my mum was small and there is handwritten things in there like dayle fav dish, or colin liked this but ad more peanuts etc etc, and the ones from just out of the depression show you how to bone a flap and turn it into a stew or a colonial goose etc etc they are just great hopefully one day I will have a granddaughter who likes to cook and I can leave them to her

kob - 2008-08-05 07:01:00

kob my nan has been a wealth of knowledge to me as well...having lived thru the depression...she is still a hoarder...all the 'new' things I told her I was doing she said oh yeh we use to do the same lol...like the shops selling toothpast for xtra cos it has baking soda in it...woop woop

bigeyez - 2008-08-05 12:54:00

Old 4Square hint booklet When coating fish with crumbs, put a pinch of baking soda in the egg to prevent the crumbs falling off.
Use the inside of orange peel to clean silver.
Mild sunburn, slice cucumber, cover with milk & steep, Bathe affected area with milk & slices.
A little flour dusted over a cake before icing with stop icing from running off.
Salty bacon? Cook for a few secons in water then cook as usual.
Use up bits of leftover pastry by mixing with coconut & sugar. Roll out & cut into biscuit shapes then bake.
To thicken soups & stews, add a little instant potato.

donald6 - 2008-08-05 14:07:00

Oz WW 1971 hints too salty, brown sugar is an antidote for salt, if soup or stew is too salty, add 1tsp brown sugar.
Out of eggs when baking, mix 1Tblsp milk with 1 dessp custard powder.
If boiled eggs are too soft, replace tops, wrap in clingwrap & reboil.
Pickling onions, cover with boiling water, let cool then peel, less tears!
Quick chutney? Equal quantities of worcestershire sauce, plum jam & stewed apple.

donald6 - 2008-08-05 14:23:00

Awesome suggestions.. and lovely memories.. .. and treasured recipe books - I think that they're more precious than many other things that are inherited.. they contain the heart of the family and when those lovely notes are in them, they tell the story of the family.. and.. bumping this thread for Madkay

juliewn - 2008-08-06 03:40:00

where for art thou vinegar book lol I've bribed the kids with $2 for whoever can find it first lol

bigeyez - 2008-08-06 19:20:00

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topjen78 - 2008-08-06 20:01:00

This message was deleted.

topjen78 - 2008-08-06 20:02:00

Bumping for gardening message board people..

juliewn - 2008-08-07 15:32:00

juliewn wow you must need to put all your recipes into a book,I only just found it tonight, after a suggestion from another thread.
If anyone has suggestions for bulk recipes I'd be grateful.
I'm cooking for 30+ people at a Retirement Village, daily & would appreciate recipes, good, no fuss, baking, desserts etc, thanks :-)

steffie29 - 2008-08-07 21:12:00

Hi Steffie.. thanks.. I'm glad you found the thread.. I was just coming in to add a note about saving recipes to pass to our children, families, etc.. as so often special recipes are lost.. and they're part of lovely family histories.. so.. each time any of you type or write out a recipe you and your family really enjoy, save a copy in your computer or a book.. and you'll have all those recipes to be able to keep as family heirlooms..

juliewn - 2008-08-08 00:28:00

For the recipes for your Retirement Village.. Are you looking for main meals, lunches, etc.. also.. This is a biscuit recipe that is easy to alter to make a variety of bikkies.. and they freeze well too..

juliewn - 2008-08-08 00:52:00

Good 'ole Highlander Biscuits.. Cream together 500g butter (or using margarine works well too), and 1 & 1/4 cups sugar (use brown sugar if you want the biscuits to be slightly caramel flavoured). Beat in the contents of one tin of sweetened condensed milk. Add 6 cups flour and 6 tsp baking powder and mix well together - a wooden spoon or your hands is easiest. If you want to make a variety of bikkies, divide the dough into separate bowls, and add extra's to suit. Roll into balls and press down with your fingers or the bottom of a glass that has been dipped lightly into flour, or use teaspoonfuls to make flattish shapes. Place them onto cold oven trays (on baking paper is easiest) and bake at 180°C for about 10-12 minutes or till just beginning to change colour.

juliewn - 2008-08-08 00:53:00

Variations: Chocolate and Chocolate Chip:
1/ Add 3 tablespoons of cocoa to the flour mix and make as above. 2/ Add 1 cup chocolate chips too if you want. 3/ Leave the biscuits plain and add chocolate chips.

juliewn - 2008-08-08 00:53:00

Orange Chocolate Chip:
Add the finely grated rind of 2 oranges, and the juice from the oranges to the mix. Add 3 tablespoons extra flour. Add 1 cup chocolate chips..

juliewn - 2008-08-08 00:54:00

Coconut
Add 1 & 1/2 cups coconut to the mix and make as above.

juliewn - 2008-08-08 00:54:00

Milo/Bournvita:
Add 3 tablespoons of milo or bournvita to the recipe..

juliewn - 2008-08-08 00:55:00

Lemon:
Add the finely grated rind of 2 lemons, and the juice, and add 3 tablespoons of flour. Add some coconut too if you want.

juliewn - 2008-08-08 00:55:00

Crunch:
Add 2 cups of any breakfast cereal - crushed weetbix, cornflakes, rice bubbles, bran flakes, etc.. Add 1 cup dried fruit too if you want - raisins, sultana's or currants.

juliewn - 2008-08-08 00:55:00

Bo-Peep:
Roll the dough into balls about the size of a 50c piece.. place on the tray and use your thumb tip to press a small hollow in the centre. Place 1/2 a tsp of jam in the hollow, and bake as above. Apricot, raspberry, plum and strawberry jams work well.. or try your favourite jam..

juliewn - 2008-08-08 00:56:00

Nut:

Add 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped nuts to the mix.. add cocoa too if you want.

juliewn - 2008-08-08 00:56:00

Cupcakes: Nigella Lawson's recipe with extras.. 100gms margarine,
2 cups flour,
1 small cup sugar,
2 eggs,
2 tsp cream of tartar,
2 tsp baking soda,
1 cup coconut,
1 cup sultanas,
Milk to make a soft batter. In a food processor, whizz everything except the coconut and sultanas, then fold those through. Bake in muffin trays at 200°C for about 12-15 minutes. This gives about 3 medium sized muffin trays. Use paper cases set into the muffin trays if you want. You can either ice them or leave them as they are..

juliewn - 2008-08-08 01:05:00

Variations: Chocolate and/or Chocolate Chip:
Add 2 tablespoons cocoa - and 1/2 cup chcolate chips too if you want..

juliewn - 2008-08-08 01:06:00

Lemon or Orange:
Add the finely grated rind and juice of two lemons or oranges. Once the cupcakes are cooked, you can brush the tops with this glaze if you want: 1/4 cup lemon juice or orange juice and 1/4 cup sugar: heat in a microwave and mix together until the sugar is dissolved. Brush over the tops of the hot cupcakes and leave to cool.

juliewn - 2008-08-08 01:06:00

Bran Muffins: Preheat oven to 190°C. Melt in a microwave proof bowl or a saucepan: 4 tablespoons golden syrup and 50gms butter or margarine. While that's melting, sieve into a large bowl: 2 cups flour, 3 tsp baking powder, 1 cup brown or white sugar, 1 tsp salt. Add 2 cups baking bran and mix in. Pour 2 cups of milk into a bowl. Add 2 eggs and beat or whisk in well. To this, add your choice of: 1 mashed banana, 2 medium apples, grated - skin on is good, 1 medium sized carrot or pear grated, 1 cup cooked or fresh peaches, chopped into small pieces, etc..etc.. Add 2 tsp baking soda to the melted butter and golden syrup and mix in well until the mix begins to bubble. Make a hollow in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour the milk and egg mix onto the bran mix. Quickly pour the butter mix over, and mix lightly until just combined. Place into lightly greased muffin pans and bake about 12-15 minutes or till cooked.

juliewn - 2008-08-08 01:26:00

Variations: Add your choice of: 1/ 2 tablespoons cocoa. 2/ 1 cup chocolate chips. 3/ 1 cup coconut. 4/ 1 cup of dried fruit - sultana's, raisins or currants, chopped dates. 5/ Add 3 tsp ground ginger and 2 tsp cinnamon for a ginger/spice flavour. 6/ Add 1 cup dried fruit, 1/2 cup chopped glace cherries and 3 tsp mixed spice for a Christmassy touch.. 7/ Add 1 cup cooked and chopped or mashed pumpkin or 1 cup grated pumpkin.. 8/ Add 1/2 cup of your choice of sesame, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, or linseeds. 8/ Sprinkle a littel raw sugar across the top of the mixture just before placing the trays in the oven, to achieve a crispy/sweet topping..

juliewn - 2008-08-08 01:39:00

Sweet or Savoury Pinwheel Scones: Make a good sized batch of your favourite scone dough - I mix together 3 cups flour, 3 heaped teaspoons baking powder, no butter or margarine at all, and mix all together with milk to form a firm dough. Roll it out into a rectangle on a floured surface. Use your fingers dipped in water, or a brush, to dampen the far edge of the long side of the dough. Spread with your choice of toppings. Roll up, using the dampened edge to seal the dough together into a roll. Cut into slices about 1 to 1.5cm thick, and place the pieces on a baking paper lined oven tray. Either place them close together so they'll touch during cooking, to achieve softer edges, or keep separate to achieve a firmer edge. Bake at 220°C until golden and cooked through - about 10-12 minutes..

juliewn - 2008-08-08 01:51:00