It’s no secret that the cost of groceries has been steadily climbing.
So, every family is on the hunt for budget friendly winter meals to fill hungry tummies.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourites here:
FAKEAWAYS: FRIED RICE
No need to head to the takeaway shop, you can make a delicious (and huge) portion of fried rice in your own kitchen. Filling and tasty, you can adapt the recipe to suit your family’s taste buds by swapping and changing the meat and veggie inclusions.
Here’s a tasty Chicken and Veggie version from Food in a Minute (you can simply substitute in your own fresh or frozen veggies if you don’t have the suggested bag on hand).
Photo credit: Food in a Minute
Ingredients
2 eggs, beaten
½ Tbsp sesame oil
200g chicken tenderloins, cut into thin strips
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 Spring onions, sliced
1½ cups cooked long grain rice
¼ cup sweet chilli sauce
½ Tbsp soy sauce
1 x 160g bag Wattie’s SteamFresh Sweet Corn, Carrots and Broccoli
chopped coriander leaves (optional)
lime wedges (optional)
Heat a dash of oil in a wok or non stick frying pan. Add beaten eggs and cook for 1 minute, stirring until they are softly scrambled. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add the sesame oil to the pan. When heated add chicken and stir fry for 5 minutes, until chicken is coloured. Add garlic and spring onions and continue stir frying until chicken is cooked and onions soft.
Add cooked rice, sweet chilli sauce and soy sauce and continue cooking until rice is hot. While the rice is cooking microwave Wattie’s SteamFresh Vege Mixes according to packet instructions.
Just before serving toss through the cooked egg and vegetables. Serve immediately garnished with freshly chopped coriander leaves and lime wedges if wished.
WINTER WARMER: SOUP
On a cold day, it’s hard to go past a warm bowl of soup. Add some crusty bread and you’ve got a delicious winter meal. The thing that’s even better about soup is that it is affordable to make and one batch can feed a family for days.
You are not limited on flavours either. You can also use whatever you have in the fridge to make a batch of soup. So, to get you inspired, check out this list of family friendly soup recipes from Kidspot to make soup with whatever is currently in the fridge or pantry!
We know that there’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of hot soup. In the winter months, a big batch of your favourite soup can feed the family for days.
It’s food for the soul, as well as the belly and these mouth-watering recipes prove it!
Vegetable Soup
Photo credit: Kidspot
1. Cauliflower and leek soup
This velvety smooth vegetable soup is a must-make winter warmer.
- See here for a creamy Cauliflower and leek soup recipe.
2. Creamy Spinach soup
Delicious served with warm bread, try this gourmet soup tonight!
- See here for a delicious Creamy Spinach soup recipe.
3. Pumpkin and ginger soup
For a yummy soup with beautifully balanced flavours, you can’t go past this recipe.
- See here for a belly-filling Pumpkin and ginger soup recipe.
4. Creamy mushroom soup
This rich and flavoursome soup will leave you feeling more than satisfied.
- See here for a tasty Creamy mushroom soup recipe.
5. Winter minestrone with risoni soup
A hearty soup that will appeal to kids as well as grown-ups.
- See here for a nutritious Winter minestrone with risoni soup recipe.
6. Easy vegetarian laksa
Looking for a soup for dinner that’s a little different? Look no further!
- See here for a super Vegetarian Laksa.
HOT LUNCH: TOASTED SANDWICHES
Do you have fond childhood memories of creamed corn or spaghetti toasted sandwiches? Yep, we do too! Those classics never get old, but in case you want some extra ingredient combinations to add to your repertoire, try some of the ones in this list from the Organised Housewife.
Delicious toasted sandwich filling ideas for the next time you feel like making a toastie. The most popular toasted sandwich filling ideas to add some variety to your next grilled sandwich!
Toasted sandwiches are quick and easy to make, warm, delicious and generally stuffed with cheese. Known by heaps of different names, depending on where you’re from, you might prefer to call them a toastie, jaffle, grilled cheese or even the fancier French cousin croque monsieur.
Photo Credit: The Organised Housewife
My absolute favourite filling for toasted sandwiches is avocado, chicken and cheese, with mayo, salt and pepper. Variations of the classic toasted sandwich fillings seem to be super popular, with some great additions suggested. Many of you out there are say that the key to next level toasted sandwiches is the type of bread used with sourdough, ciabatta, Turkish bread, cob, rye, and garlic bread as the top suggestions. Everyone agreed that toasted sandwiches needed a good seasoning with salt and pepper.
The Popular Classic Toasted Sandwich Fillings:
– Ham and Cheese
– Grilled Cheese
– Chicken, avocado and cheese
– Vegemite and Cheese
Ham and Cheese Variations:
– Ham, cheese and tomato
– Ham, cheese and pineapple
– Ham, cheese, avo, mushroom and onion – this is best on Turkish bread
– Ham, cheese, tomato and chilli jam
– Ham, cheese, red onion, pineapple, more cheese. Black olives too if you’re feeling fancy!
– Ham, gruyere cheese and pickle on sourdough
– Ham, cheese, tomato and onion
– Spread bread with pizza base sauce, cheese, ham, pineapple pieces = Hawaiian pizza jaffles
– Leg ham, sauerkraut, cheese, and mustard
– Ham, cheese, tomato sauce and pizza topper herb mix
– Ham, cheese and asparagus
– Ham, cheese, pineapple, ham, steak sauce, and salt n pepper
– Ham, cheese & onion with a little salt
– Seedy bread, ham, cheese, tomato, avocado, and salt n pepper
– Ham, cheese & red onion
– Tomato, ham, cheese, onion and mayonnaise
– Ham, Swiss cheese, rocket and ketchup
– Ham, cheese and mayonnaise or salad cream
– Ham, cheese, capsicum and pineapple with mild taco sauce
– Spinach, cheese and ham with Spanish onion
– Ham, tinned spaghetti and cheese
– Smoked ham, cheese, avocado, roast capsicum strips, a few baby spinach leaves and pesto
Chicken & Turkey Toasted Sandwiches
– Chicken, cheese and mayonnaise
– Chicken, cheese, avocado and roasted capsicum
– Chicken, avocado and cheese
– Chicken, cheese and tinned asparagus
– Chicken, asparagus and cheese with a squirt of Kewpie Mayonnaise
– Chicken, cheese and pineapple
– Chicken, sour cream and cheese (add jalepenos for a spicy kick)
– Chicken, avocado, cheese and sweet chili sauce
– Chicken, cheese, mayonnaise, red onion & BBQ sauce
– Chicken, avocado and mayonnaise
– Chicken, cheese, sun dried tomato and avocado (Or green tomato relish instead of avocado)
– Chicken, pineapple, cheese and onions
– Chicken, bacon, cheese and mayonnaise
– Roast chicken, cream cheese, flaked almonds and iceberg lettuce
– Chicken, pesto sauce and cheese
– Chicken and creamed corn
– Chicken, cheese, onion and salt & pepper
– Fried chicken and coleslaw
– Chicken, bacon, egg, cheese and BBQ sauce
– Chicken or Turkey, mushroom and Swiss cheese (the addition of sour cream makes it very luxe)
– Chicken or turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce
– Turkey, cranberry and camembert on Turkish bread
– Turkey, cheese, cranberry and red onion
– Turkey breast, tasty cheese and cranberry sauce
– Turkey, avocado, cranberry and cheese
– Turkey breast, cranberry sauce and brie
Roast Meat & Leftovers Toasted Sandwiches
One of the clever suggestions was to cook a roast or other meals large enough to have as dinner for one night and to use the leftovers for an easy dinner of toasted sandwiches the next night.
– Roast lamb, caramelised onion relish and cheese (add gravy or mint jelly)
– Silverside, tomato, black pepper and mayonnaise
– Roast Lamb, mint jelly and cheese
– Roast beef, branston pickle and cheese
– Spaghetti Bolognaise
– Leftover lamb and apple sauce
– Any meat leftover, add cheese and tomato
– Beef, cream corn and cheese
– Leftovers, such as casserole or stir-fry
– Savoury mince, BBQ sauce and cheese
– Silverside, sliced cheese and tomato
– Leftover spaghetti mince and cheese
– Taco mince with cheese
– Cold lamb with real butter and salt
– Chilli con carne
Egg Toasted Sandwiches
– Curried egg, cheese, tomato and onion
– Poached egg and sauce
– Egg, havarti cheese, avocado and Chives
– Egg, bacon, cheese and BBQ sauce
Vegetarian Toasted Sandwiches
– Home-made baked beans, avocado and cheese
– Beetroot and plastic cheese
– Tinned spaghetti
– Cheese and satay sauce (Fountain brand)
– Banana, triple cream brie and cranberry sauce
– Cheddar cheese and tomato sauce
– Baked beans with cheese
– Red onion sliced thinly and cheese
– Vegemite, cheese & tomato
– Mayonnaise, tomato, & diced onion
– Avocado slices, onion, mayonnaise and feta cheese
– Peanut butter and honey
– Cheese, Spanish onion and mayonnaise
– Creamed corn, cheese and mixed herbs
– Cheese, pineapple and mayo
– Grilled cheese, tomato and oregano
– Vegemite, cheese, tomato and cracked pepper
– Marmite and cheese
– Creamed corn, capsicum, cheese, salt and pepper
– Tomato, cheese and onion
– Cheese, onion and mushroom
– Promite, onion, tomato and cheese
– Cheese, Tomato, onion & sliced beetroot
– Tuna and cheese
– Vegemite, cheese & avocado
– Cheese, onion and American mustard
– Pumpkin, sundried tomato, pesto, aioli and spinach toastie on sourdough
– Cream corn cheese, black pepper and sweet chilli
– Cheese, tomato and salad cream. Vinegar & pepper on the tomatoes.
– Cucumbers, mayonnaise, dill and salt
Deli Meat Toasted Sandwich Fillings
– Fried Bacon, banana and cheese
– Metwurst and cheese
– Bacon and avocado
– Salami, cheese, tomato, spinach and sun dried tomato pesto b it’s best on sour dough bread
– Crispy bacon, avocado and brie
– Sliced corned beef, cheese and hp sauce
– Bacon, avocado and feta
The Fancier Cousins to Toasted Sandwiches
– Monte Cristo Sandwich – find the recipe here.
– Croque Monsieur – find the recipe here.
– Bread (Garlic herb French bread) Toasted with butter, pepper and Italian dressing, add spicy mustard after toasted. Melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on turkey breast
– Pan Fried Pizza Toasted Sandwich – find the recipe here.
– French toast with chicken, cheese, and mayonnaise, then toasted again.
– Toasted Rueben Sandwich – find recipe here.
FEED A FEW: PASTA BAKE
Pasta bakes are simple, tasty and easy to prepare. They are also warming, filling and affordable. They are another winter meal variety where you can build heaps of different options depending on what you have in the pantry or fridge.
Macaroni cheese, chicken and broccoli, french onion, tomato and mince, mixed veggies… the options are endless. And that’s proved by the 300+ varieties found here at Taste.
Photo Credit: Taste
There are too many delicious recipes to list here . You will find the complete list of recipes here at Taste.com.au
However we couldnt resist putting up one of our favourites.
All-in-one Tuscan chicken pasta bake
Tuscan chicken is the dinner trend of the moment and this dish hits all the right notes. Loaded with chicken, pasta, cheese, vegetables and a whole lot of flavour, it’s easy to put together and will satisfy even the hungriest of families. We love it as it’s a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken and make it stretch for another day.
Ingredients
– 300g dried fusilli (spiral) pasta
– 50g butter
– 1 brown onion, finely chopped
– 3 garlic cloves, crushed
– 2 tbsp plain flour
– 4 fresh thyme sprigs, leaves picked
– 300ml carton cooking cream
– 250ml (1 cup) milk
– 280g jar sun-dried tomato strips, drained
– 150g (1 1/2 cups) shredded cooked chicken
– 120g packet baby spinach
– 155g (1 1/2 cups) pre-grated pizza cheese
Method
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