Ycook

Sometimes you just know something isn’t right & you finally figure out what needs to change.
Ycook didn’t gel so you will find me as my alter ego The Food Granny over here Follow me here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thefoodgranny come join us

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My goodness time flies doesn’t it?
For the last month my aim has been to empty my freezer of all the odds & ends & only buying ingredients needed to pull together something delicious & interesting.
I’ve halved my food bill (ignoring the fortune I spend on cat food for fussy Milo & I can say I’ve cleared most of the freezer.
This is a berry galette or open pie if French isn’t your thing.
You know me, don’t follow complicated recipes & but love pictures.
I used two sheets of frozen pastry (yep I cheat sometimes) leftover raspberries & blackberries from summer ….. and voila ….. dessert or afternoon tea for 6. Add a dollop of cream & you will impress your friends.
Want ideas? Comment below & let’s get creative Tina Mason Helen Richards John Hebblethwaite

Who loves bagels?
This week made bagels for the 1st time. Coated with poppy seeds.

Lightly toasted & topped with roast pumpkin 🎃, prosciutto & homemade tomato 🍅 jam

Who loves scones?
Until this week I was disappointed with my scones. Now I’m happy.
Just 3 ingredients & here are the results. They warm up & toast well too.
Do you prefer savoury (cheese & prosciutto) or sweet (home made strawberry jam & cream)?

Looking for a pumpkin idea? This Hasselback butternut tastes as good as it looks.

Classic cake baking this weekend, a Victoria Sponge. This was the first cake I made, in home economics @ Cowplain Girls back in the early 60’s. Plated on my gran’s 100yr old plate brought back many happy memories. Time for a cuppa & a slice.
What was the first cake you made?

Bookings now open for our Community Jam Making Workshops -

Booking here: https://www.trybooking.com/BTOKN

Maximum of six people per workshop. No cost

We've been making jams from seasonal produce for over ten years with many fun moments and a few epic failures. Sharing these moments along with some tips for your home jam making sessions over a cuppa.

Ycook now takes appointments on their Page.

Lamb in bread 🍞 The kitchen is smelling heavenly. Channeling my Colin Fassnidge who also doesn’t use recipes. Lots garlic, oil, tomatoes, pull it together, wrap it & out in the oven John Hebblethwaite Tina Mason

Did someone mention triple chocolate brownies? And did you know they are delicious straight from the freezer?
Just ask our friend Loredana Loca, I followed her lead & made some yesterday.

I love Colin Fassnidge because he cooks with no recipes. Day 1 of I baked a whole pumpkin which looks after myself & my aged neighbours for a few days. Try it, so delicious & the house smells wonderful too.

You learn to cook so that you don't have to be a slave to recipes. You get what's in season and you know what to do with it. - Julia Child

Every kitchen has a story and here's the latest from my kitchen: Winner - yes I am. Earlier this year I entered the 2021 International Marmalade Awards.

Why? Because I could and because I needed something to get me back into the kitchen after a rather tough couple of months.
The awards are run out of the UK and I would have loved to attend in person, but heh we are still in the middle of a pandemic.

I have made marmalade on and off over the years, usually using fruit from local gardens.
The challenge was to come up with something a little different and get it to the UK before the deadline.
First, due to Australia Post cutting pickup and deliveries I didn't know how long before my precious jar of marmalade reached the airport let alone get on a plane.
A parcel I sent to Thailand sat at the airport for 3 weeks!

Now I don't know if you realise that freight flights are limited with the estimated delivery anywhere from 7-15 days.
I was lucky and because the mail is delivered 6 days a week in England my hand crafted single jar of marmalade made it with a day to spare. Phew!

Last Saturday the awards were announced and I was so very chuffed to win a commended award for the 2021 Artisan Marmalade Award for my Australian Orange with Gin Marmalade.

The judges were impressed with " the marmalade's appearance, colour, consistency, aroma & flavour".
There were over 3000 entries from 30 countries! That's a lot of marmalade to taste - because of restrictions it took three months.

If you would like to learn to make marmalade or jam send a message or post a comment below and let's "cook up" a batch together real soon.

Cook with fresh seasonal produce for the best flavours.

Fresh idea for you! Steam or microwave potatoes first for perfect Hasselback roasties

Do you know a fabulous home cook or have a family recipe or a memory of times around the table? If so please get in touch.
Over the next 6-12 months I want to add to the stories I already have and publish a book as a tribute to all the home cooks that have put meals on our tables through wars & tough times using very little. Maybe its your memory, a recipe or a photo, could be even helping out in the allotment to produce the food that was cooked and put on the table. Join me to keep these memories so they are not lost to our future generations.

On the weekend I decided to cook from my fridge & freezer without spending any extra money.

To be transparent, I am as organised at home as I am in the work kitchen. I save & freeze leftovers. I prep in bulk but don’t bulk cook.

So what did I make? Six chicken & veg pies & morning tea for my neighbours. - Not one cent spent
- No expensive ingredients - No complicated recipes.
Want inspiration to do similar? Message me & join in one of workshops

Cheap & cheerful as my favourite aunt would say. Tasty risotto made with leftovers is filling & nourishing. Less than $1 a serve.

Due to current restrictions our food workshops are on hold. Follow us for updates.

Behind the apron: a fun photo shoot with local photographer Narelle of Relz Wedding and Event Photography . It’s important to support local businesses especially in uncertain times.

Do you struggle to poached eggs the way you like them every time? In a cup using the microwave is fast, easy & works. Try it

Looking for a simple, quick tasty warming lunch? No recipe needed for this tomato basil soup with leftover meatballs

Liz Larter & John Hebblethwaite would you give a review please?

For Mother’s Day the Strawberry Breakfast Cake, recipe by Clare Langan of Feedfeed

Shop smart & this finger licking crispy orange chicken costs less than $2 a serve. Add veggies to reduce cost further.

Today’s Tip: Coffee grounds & tea leaves are great for the soil. Add around your seedlings or in the veggie patch

Want to save money & reduce food waste? This hearty dish cost less than 50 cents a serve by combining smart shopping & no expensive ingredients.