Crumble

It doesn't happen very often, but occasionally a piece or two of fruit in our fruit bowl will get a little wrinkly. I hate waste so I'm always looking for a way to use even the wrinkly fruit. Often I'll dice it and add it to a muffin or cake mix or puree it and use it to make ice blocks.

But when there is a lot of wrinkly fruit I make crumble. Sometimes it's apple, sometimes it's pear, sometimes it's plums or peaches or apricots. Or a combination.

This week I had an apple and a pear that were a little wrinkly, and half a packet of mixed berries in the freezer so I made an apple, pear and berry crumble. And it was delicious.

Here's the recipe.

Cath's Mixed Fruit Crumble

Ingredients:
1 apple, peeled, cored and diced
1 pear, peeled, cored and diced
300g mixed berries
1 tbsp honey
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup plain flour
3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
3/4 cup coconut
1 tsp mixed spice
125g butter, melted

Method:
Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Combine the apple, pear and berries with the honey. Place into a buttered casserole dish.

Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, coconut, mixed spice and melted butter. Stir until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Spread evenly over the top of the fruit.

Bake for 30 - 40 minutes until crumble is browned and fruit is bubbling. Serve warm with cream, custard or ice-cream. Serve cold with cream.

I used apple, pear and berries in this crumble, but you can use any fruit suitable for pie. Plums, apricots or peaches are all good. I've even used leftover fruit salad (minus the melon) that I've drained.

Old Fashioned Bath Salt Sodas

Cheapskates Club members have taken up the challenge to make Christmas 2017 a handmade Christmas,  so for 2017 the Monday craft Tip of the Day is going to be something a little different - an idea or pattern or recipe or instructions for a handmade gift.

It may seem a little early to be making bath salts, but this pretty gift idea requires you do do a little collecting and op-shopping, so to give you time to gather everything you need, it is Handmade Christmas Idea No. 1.

And they're not just for Christmas, but birthdays, Mother's Day, to say thank you or get well - there are so many ways you can gift these pretty bath salts.

Old Fashioned Bath Salt Sodas

 This year I collected old fashioned ice cream soda glasses. I bought them from thrift stores when I saw them. I made a bath salt mixture with sea salt, rolled oats  (which I finely ground in blender) Epsom salts, a few drops of food colouring and a few drops of 100% essential oil of choice, an exfoliating sponge and a large red bead. I mixed everything together in a large metal bowl, put it into the ice cream soda glasses and covered them with cling wrap so the salts wouldn't fall out. I put the nylon exfoliating spongy thing on top of the cling wrap and topped it off with a large, round, red bead, then stuck a straw into the glass via tiny hole I had made. I added a long handled teaspoon (collected from Donut King)to each glass and so far the recipients of these early Christmas gifts have been very pleased with them.
Contributed by Nikki Armstrong

Double Choc Scones

Double Choc Scones

Ingredients:
3/4 cup plain flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp butter, cold
1 tbsp coconut oil, cold/firm
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Method:
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Prepare baking sheet with baking paper.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir to combine. The mixture will be uniform when ready.

Use a fork or pastry blender to cut in the butter and coconut oil. The mixture will resemble crumbly lumps with no large lumps remaining. This should be done as quickly as possible so the butter and oil don’t start to melt.

Add milk to the mixture and stir gently (I use a butter knife for this) just until combined. It will look dry and crumbly and that’s okay.  Move dough from bowl to baking sheet and form a rounded loaf. Be careful not to work the dough too much because the heat from your hands will melt the fats.

Divide the loaf into 8 wedges with a floured knife. Do not cut all the way through the bottom. Stop about 1cm from the liner. Top with all of the chocolate chips and press them gently into the mounded dough.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in preheated oven until golden brown.

Revamp Jewellery and Wear It

​Approximate $ Savings: $100

I have so much costume jewellery that does not match i.e. I have necklaces that don't match earrings and bracelets and some that don't match any outfit so don't get worn at all. Work out which pieces you don't wear and why. Then you can revamp them by changing the centre pendant, removing the pendant, re-beading, etc. Swap with your friends. If you have a favourite piece, keep it in mind next time you purchase a new garment. Combine with another tip - add the details of your accessories to a notebook so when shopping you can ensure you buy something that you can use!
Contributed by Leah

Buying Produce Locally and in Season is Green and Saves You Money

To combine green living with frugal living, buy your fresh produce locally while it is in-season.
Buying locally involves buying your produce from local farmers' markets, produce stands and co-ops, rather than big box supermarkets. Buying in-season involves buying the fruits and vegetables that are ripening and being harvested right now. Both strategies save you money.

Grab these benefits by buying locally:
1.Eco-friendliness. Buying locally is more eco-friendly because the produce doesn't have to be shipped or transported into your local area by plane or truck. Grocery stores obtain their produce from all over the country and world, and the long-distance transportation translates into the use of more pesticides, gas, oil, and energy.

2.Local economy. You can also stimulate the local economy by buying locally, because you're supporting local farms and farmers rather than growers all over the world. When you buy locally-grown produce, every part of the process is local. You're supporting local growers, transportation, and merchants, which boosts the economy in your city and state.

Enjoy these benefits of buying in-season produce:
1.Taste benefits. When you buy your produce in season, you won't be disappointed with the taste. Fruits, especially, only ripen properly and taste their best during the seasons in which they thrive. When you buy produce off-season, the quality of the flavor will be compromised.

2.Cost benefits. Seasonal food tends to be significantly less expensive than out-of-season produce, primarily because far less effort is required to bring you in-season produce. In the proper season, fruit can grow on its own, requiring less time and labor. This translates into the most cost-friendly produce to stock your kitchen with.

3.More variety. If you follow along with the seasons rather than shopping for the same produce over and over, then you'll enjoy a much richer and more varied collection of different vegetables and fruit. From this variety of produce, you can find new ways to experiment and enjoy new recipes.

Buying in-season, local produce is one of the greatest things you can do when shopping for your family. You can provide your family with the best tasting, most nutritious food while also saving money.

Old-Fashioned Household Products for your Spring Cleaning Project

Back before chemicals and factories were the norm, cleaning products were composed mostly of household items for a natural, pure and wholesome cleaning effect. Nowadays, with women so busy working and taking care of family, grabbing a bottle of something store bought may be easier; but women today also realise and recognise the importance of all natural cleaning products for their household as well as their families.

Although there are a host of cleaning products that are made from all natural household products that are just right for your spring cleaning project, here are a few of the cheapest and most common:

· Vinegar has many uses other than just dressing salads. For cleaning purposes, vinegar is one of the best known and best loved old-fashioned household products for cleaning and shining mirrors and glass. Measure 2 cups of water and ½ cup of white vinegar and mix in a large bucket. Grab some old newspaper, scrunch it up, and dunk the newspaper in the bucket full of mixture. Go at your windows and mirrors like there is no tomorrow. You will receive a streak-free shine every time and using newspaper offers the benefit of no leftover paper towel lint.

· Vinegar is also an old staple outside the home as well. It can be mixed with dishwashing liquid and placed in a clean, empty spray bottle so that you can spray the weeds in cracks and crevices around the outside of your house. The vinegar causes the weeds to die off and the soap assists the vinegar in adhering to the weeds.

· Pouring vinegar down the drain once a month will shine and sanitize your sink pipes.

· Bicarbonate soda has many uses and one of the most common is to deodorise your refrigerator. Place an open box of bicarb soda (small box will do) in the back of your refrigerator and this will absorb odours, giving your refrigerator a clean, fresh scent.

· Bicarb soda mixed with water and used with a scrubbing brush makes an excellent paste for scrubbing away soap scum from your tub and tiles.

· You can also add lavender sprigs or lemon oil as well as dishwashing liquid to bicarb soda to create a nice smelling, all-purpose cleaner. Always spot test an area before using anything, whether store bought or naturally made, on fabrics, carpets, clothing and painted surfaces.

· Placing bicarb soda in a burnt pot or pan with water and bringing to a boil can assist in dissolving burnt on food.

While vinegar, bicarb soda, lemons and sprigs of lavender are earth friendly and non-toxic, they also add the additional benefit of being cost effective.

Being able to save money while saving the planet by using these items is a win/win situation for your home, family, the environment, and your purse as well.

Freeing Up Cash

Today's Tip of the Day is one after my own heart. When Disaster Struck the first thing we did was switch to a cash budget using the envelope system. In those day's I'd go to the bank every second Thursday and withdraw the cash we needed for the next two weeks. I'd have to go into the bank because I wanted the right change for each envelope. The night before banking day I'd sit down with the budget and work out exactly how much I needed to withdraw and the currency needed.

Then, when I finally made it home, I'd sit down at the kitchen table with a cuppa and sort the money into the envelopes. Those envelopes lived in a drawer in our bedroom. When I needed grocery money I'd take what it from the grocery envelope, petrol came from the petrol envelope and so on.

It may be old fashioned but it works and it is a great way to control your money and your spending.

Freeing Up Cash

When I started out seriously budgeting, we had 2 school aged children, credit card bills, mortgage, car payments as well as everyday living. We both work full time and weren't getting anywhere fast or had any spare cash so I set up an envelope system for my bills I split it all up into fortnightly amount (that's when we get paid) and started putting the money away. For the first twelve months it was hard but if you persevere it will get easier. I now can make double payments on the house, have cleared the car payment, credit card bills, have just sent my husband to Germany for a holiday with his family and have spare money in the bank. I have never felt more in control of our money than I do now. Our children don't miss out on anything and now our son works he realises the value of money and saves his up. He has already purchased a car for when he gets his license.
​Contributed by Presley Dostal

In-a-Hurry Vegetarian Lasagne

This lasagne is so quick to put together, it's perfect for a quick lunch or dinner, and so very tasty that no-one will even notice that there's no meat! Serve it with a big green salad and garlic bread for a really delicious meal.  You'll have everyone  coming back for seconds.

In a Hurry Vegetarian Lasagne

Ingredients:
6 large lasagne noodles
1 jar of tomato based pasta sauce
200g low fat cottage cheese
2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp of dried parsley

Method:
Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.  In the bottom of a 22cm x 33cm baking dish place 3 uncooked noodles. Spread half the pasta sauce over the noodles and then carefully spread  all the cottage cheese on top of the pasta sauce. Top with 1 cup of the grated cheese. Repeat, ending with grated cheese. Sprinkle on parsley. Cover tightly with foil and put into a pre-heated oven. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and continue to cook a further 10 - 15 minutes until the cheese begins to brown.

I Made My Own Rubit Scrubit and Saved!

​
I was looking at these little gadgets at the Papercraft Expo over the weekend. No, I didn't buy one. I use wet wipes to clean my stamps (and I clean them each time I use them so they don't stain). I don't have a lot of stamps, but the ones I have get a lot of use so I may well try Veronika's idea out. I just need to hunt through the house to find a case to keep it in (I have a stash of microfibre cloths I can use)!

I Made My Own Rubit Scrubit and Saved!

Approximate $ Savings: $26

As an avid stamper my rubit scrubit (stamp cleaning pad) was getting very tattered and wasn't doing the job. A friends sister-in-law has just joined a stamping party plan, and was keen to show off all her goodies (and maybe book a party or two!). I really loved the stamp cleaning device they had, a swish black case with microfibre cleaning power. But at $30, I thought I could do with my old pad a little longer. Back at home, the brain started ticking over, and I found my tin of watercolour pencils, and emptied them into another container (recycled of course) and when we went shopping purchased 2 cheap microfibre cloths for my tin - I had to trim the cloth to it and glue it to the tin and found instead of being one cloth, it was folded over and hemmed, giving me two cloths for the price of one! As well as a spare! I now have a very effective stamp cleaner, the only compromise is it's a coloured cloth, not a black one, so you can see the ink when it comes off the stamp, but with a saving of $26, I think I can live with that!
Contributed by Veronika

A Back-to-School Lunchbox Treat

My mother made something similar to these rice bubble treats way back when I was in primary school. I adapted her recipe to make them for my kids when they were in primary (and high) school. Then all of a sudden Kelloggs decided to mass produce them, give them a quirky name and sell millions of them at an outrageous price.

Now Hannah has adapted the recipe yet again to make them for her morning tea at work - if the boys don't find them and devour them beforehand!

Call them what you will, we call them Ricie Bars, they are delicious, quick and easy enough to make that the kids can do it themselves. And Hannah's version is colourful too with the addition of mini M&Ms. They were on clearance at Coles last week for 50c a tube so she snapped up the lot to use in her baking. You could use regular M&Ms or Smarties or the generic equivalent. As long as they are colourful it won't matter.

Rainbow Ricie Bars

Ingredients:
6 cups Ricies
1 pkt marshmallows (about 200g - or MOO your own marshmallow)
3 tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup mini M&Ms

Method:
Line a slice tray with baking paper. In a large saucepan (big enough to mix the Ricies in) melt the butter. Add the vanilla and marshmallows and stir until completely dissolved. Remove from the heat and quickly stir in the Ricies and the M&Ms, mixing thoroughly. You will need to move quickly, the mixture firms up as it cools. Quickly spread the mixture into the prepared slice tray. Press down firmly, then roll over the top with a small glass to firm it down. Put in fridge for 30 minutes to set. Use a serrated knife to cut into bars when set. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Creamy Root Veggie Bake

Winter is the perfect time to enjoy root vegetables. They go well with a roast or as a side dish to grilled meats. This recipe fits beautifully in a no waste kitchen, as only the turnip and swede (and yes, they are different vegetables) are peeled. It is also a little unusual in that it uses the celery root, the white bottom part of the celery, that is usually composted. You'll need to wash it well and use a veggie peeler to scrape away any tough fibres before you slice it.

Yield: 6 - 8Author: Cath Armstrong

Creamy Root Veggie Bake

ingredients:

• 2 large potatoes, scrubbed and sliced thinly
• 1 turnip, peeled and sliced thinly
• 1 swede, peeled and sliced thinly
• 1 parsnip, washed and sliced thinly
• 1 celery root, washed, peeled and sliced thinly
• 1 large carrot, washed and sliced thinly
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1-1/4 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup cream
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided

instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees Celsius. 
2. Coat a baking dish with olive oil.
3. Get out a large pot, fill with water and bring to a boil. Add the vegetables and cook uncovered for 3 minutes (you're just blanching the veggies, not cooking them.)
4. Prepare large ice bath in sink.
5. Dump the veggies into a large colander or strainer, then immediately immerse the strainer of veggies into the ice bath for several minutes until veggies are cold - this stops the veggies from cooking further after being drained.
6. Remove the strainer of veggies from ice bath and drain well.
7. In a large frying pan, over medium-low heat, add the butter and garlic and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes or until garlic gets fragrant.
8. Add the stock, cream, thyme, nutmeg and cayenne pepper, stir and continue cooking until mixture begins to simmer and thicken, about 5 minutes.
9. Spread vegetables evenly in the prepared baking dish.
10. Pour creamy mixture from skillet evenly over vegetables and sprinkle half of the grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
11. Cover the baking dish with oiled foil, put dish on top of a baking sheet to catch any spills, and bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes.

Quick and Easy Oats for Breakfast

For winter porridge, I prefer to use whole oats rather than quick oats (as they are lower GI), but find that they always boil over in the microwave so I have to watch them constantly. However, I inadvertently discovered that if I give the whole oats a short burst in the food processor before storing (not enough to make them into quick oats, but enough to get some fine particles) they never boil over in the microwave any more. I can happily pop a bowl in the microwave - even with milk - and walk away until they are done. For me, this is the difference between using oats because they are cheap and bought cereal because it is convenient.
Contributed by Megan Hooper

2016 31 Days of MOO No. 3 Rosemary Salt

Smashed potatoes with rosemary salt, garnished with fresh rosemary

This is one of my favourite ways to preserve the bright flavour of fresh rosemary. Rosemary salt takes about five minutes to make and can be stored indefinitely at room temperature. Try it on roasted potatoes, chicken and lamb.

Rosemary Salt

Ingredients:
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
2 tbsp rock salt, slightly crushed with a mortar and pestle (or use Kosher salt if you have it)

Method:
Mix together the finely chopped rosemary and the salt.
Pack into a clean glass jar.
Cover and store at room temperature away from direct light or heat. Shake the jar every couple of days. The salt is ready to use after two weeks.

31 Days of MOO No. 2 - All-Purpose Glue

This is a great all-purpose glue that isn't toxic, making it ideal to use with little ones. It will stick paper and card like a charm and washes out of clothes.

All-Purpose Glue

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons glucose syrup
1 teaspoon white vinegar
2 tablespoons cornflour
1 cup water x 2

Method:
Place 1 cup water, glucose syrup and vinegar in a pot. Bring to a boil. In a separate bowl mix the cornflour with 1 cup cold water and mix well. Slowly add the cornflour mixture to the boiling mixture. Stir constantly until thickened. Remove from heat to cool completely.  Store in an air-tight container and the glue will keep for approximately 7 days.

31 Days of MOO No 1. Veggie Burgers

Have you priced veggie burgers from the deli or the chiller cabinet at the supermarket lately? They are expensive - over $3 each! This recipe makes six for less than the price of one. It's quick and easy too. Best of all you can make the patties ahead of time and keep them in the fridge until you're ready to cook them. They'll keep for two days covered in the fridge, perfect for those busy days.

We love them as burgers with salad and grilled pineapple, but they're good as a savoury part of a meal, hot or cold. If they're hot I make a gravy to go with them and sever them with sweet potato chips and broccoli (no idea why, did it once, everyone at it all so I've kept doing it) or cold with salads and a sweet chilli mayo. They're great for the end of your shopping cycle when veggies may be looking a little sad and limp - use them up and turn them into something delicious.

Veggie Burgers

Ingredients:
2 slices wholegrain bread, crumbled
Several leaves of fresh Italian parsley, chopped
1/2 cup fine, dry bread crumbs, plus extra for coating
3/4 cup grated tasty cheese
1-1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green or red capsicum
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (or less to taste)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup solidly packed mashed sweet potato
1/3 cup ricotta
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup plain flour
Egg wash

Method:
In a medium-size bowl, mix together the crumbled bread, parsley, bread crumbs, and grated cheese. Set this aside. Heat the oil in a medium-size frypan over medium heat, then add the onion, pepper, and corn. Sauté the vegetables until soft, about 7 minutes, stirring often. Mix in the garlic and cumin and cook it all for another minute. Remove the pan from the heat and spoon the contents into the bread crumb mixture.

In a large bowl, mix together the egg, sweet potato and ricotta. Add the bread crumb mixture, stirring thoroughly, then season with the salt and pepper. Flour your hands, then shape the mixture into six 15mm thick patties, using about 1/3 cup for each one. Dredge the patties in plain flour, then egg wash, then in bread crumbs and refrigerate them for about 1-1/2 hours.

Melt the butter in a large frypan, transfer the patties to the pan and fry them over medium heat until they turn golden, about 4 minutes on each side. Remove them from the pan and serve right away. Makes 6 patties.

Note: The crumbled wholegrain bread is essential to the texture, and prepared bread crumbs shouldn't be substituted. Put the bread slices out for about 30 minutes to air-dry, then crumble them by hand, with a serrated knife, or in a food processor.

Super Easy, Super Cute Easter Baskets

Use them for Easter, for birthday parties, to hold small gifts - these very cute, super easy little baskets are quick and inexpensive and a great way to use up that stash of paper or cardstock you have.

Make them larger, from 30cm cardstock, line them with a paper doyley and they're perfect for delivering a gift of home baked muffins or biscuits too.

You will need: 
18cm square of heavy paper or cardstock
1 x 30cm  strip of paper or cardstock 2.5cm wide (handle)
2 brads
Fancy scissors (optional, but they give a pretty edge to the baskets)

Step 1. Score your paper into three columns 6cm wide. Then score three rows 6cm wide. You'll have a grid of nine squares on your paper (see the template).

Note: You can make these baskets any size, as long as your square can be divided into nine equal sections.

Step 2.  Cut the decorative edge along the edges parallel to the red lines (see the template).

Step 3. Cut on the red lines.

Step 4. Fold the paper on all score lines, with the decorative side to the outside.

Step 5.  Punch a hole in the centre of each end of the basket handle about 2.5cm from the edge. Punch a hole in the centre of each end of the strip of paper for the handle about 2.5cm from the edge.

Step 6. Fold the two corner squares so they overlap each other and the centre square on one side of the basket. The centre square should be on the inside of the corner squares.

Step 7.  Punch a hole in the centre, through all three layers, about 2.5cm down.  Put one end of the handle between the two corner squares and the centre square, and attach a brad through all the layers. Repeat for the other side.

​Cash or Debit? Depends on the Total

When I go shopping for anything I wait until the total is rung up before I decide to pay by debit card or pay cash (sometimes I know beforehand). If the amount is rounded up when cash is paid, then I pay by debit because it is an exact amount and I therefore pay less. If it would be rounded down, then I pay cash. This saves me up to .02c every time I purchase....not much but it adds up. Living the Cheapskate way has meant that because I am so conscious of spending now I virtually don't have big issues to worry about. As the old saying goes "Look after the pennies and the pounds look after themselves"....well nearly.
​Contributed by Wendy

​Not So Flat Batteries

​
Batteries are the bane of my life!

OK, that's probably an exaggeration but they always go flat at the most inconvenient moment and then seem like such a waste of money to me. As a family we don't have too many battery operated items these days:

• the mouses for our computers
• the kitchen clock
• the loungeroom clock
• my labeller :)

There are batteries in our cameras too, but they are rechargeable (thank goodness, they cost a fortune to replace). And of course our phones, again rechargeable.

We swapped to wind-up torches and a wind-up radio a few years ago and they're brilliant. We have a torch in each of the cars, one each in our camping bags, one in the camping food box and Wayne keeps one in his tool box in the car. We use the wind-up radio when we go camping and feel the need to catch up with the rest of the world (doesn't happen often though :) ).

When the kids were small we had a few battery operated toys and we switched to rechargeable batteries for those. We asked for batteries and a charger for Christmas one year and Wayne's Mum gave us one of the best gifts we've ever had.

Now they're grown up and we don't have toys in the house any more so our battery use and cost has gone down considerably.

Next time the battery in my mouse needs changing I'll keep it for when one of the clocks slows down and try Lynette's tip.

Not So Flat Batteries

Approximate $ Savings: $4

I have been throwing out my batteries to a light I have in the toilet, I had a idea this last time to try them in my wall clock and my clock is still working a month later with the same battery I would have thrown out. Then my alarm clock needed a new battery so I used the other "flat" battery and it is working fine two weeks later. I have saved buying two batteries. My next lot of batteries I will keep are my from my small torch to see if they will work as well. I am amazed that instead of throwing them out I have them still working in another item.
Contributed by Lynette Stewart