Homemade Chicken Stock

Making your own chicken stock is easy to do and can save you quite a few dollars with not a lot of effort.

If you have a slow cooker, that is the simplest way to make it as you can set and forget it and leave it simmering away all day (or all night). Otherwise, you could make it on the stove in a saucepan.

RAW CHICKEN

Place whole chicken in crockpot with desired seasonings* and cook as usual. When you have removed the flesh from the chicken, return carcass to crockpot, top with water and simmer for 10-12 hours.

Allow to cool a little then strain out the bones, flesh and skin. This will leave you with mainly liquid.

Place liquid in the fridge.



Chicken fat is still slightly liquid at room temperature so you want to chill the stock to allow the fat to rise to the top of your container. When cold, scrape off fat and you'll be left with a delicious, thick stock to use. Freeze in usable portions.

* You can go as simple or as fancy as you like with seasonings. I tend to add some shallots or onions and parsley and occasionally some chicken seasoning.

COOKED CHICKEN

Contrary to popular belief, you can make chicken stock with the carcass of a chicken that has already been cooked. The advantage of store bought cooked chickens when making a stock is that there are already many flavours added so it's simply a matter of boiling the carcass, skin and any other pieces in water to absorb as much of the leftover flavour and goodness as possible.

The stock won't be as thick or as strong but it still makes a tasty stock and is a great way to squeeze an extra meal out of any chicken.

Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe

Image via Wikipedia

This sweetened condensed milk recipe works well and is a great way to save money easy. It's one less thing you need to keep on hand in the cupboard as well and means you can make a recipe requiring condensed milk without having to plan (or duck to the shops).

SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK

This recipe makes the equivalent of 1 can of condensed milk. Most recipes use either a full can or half a can.

1 cup milk powder
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup boiling water
3 Tablespoons butter or margarine

Put butter in a bowl or jug and add hot water. Stir. Add milk powder and sugar and stir until smooth.

It takes only a minute or two to put together but can really save you money!

Homemade Muesli

If you're a fan of muesli of any description, you'll be familiar with how expensive it can be. The thing is, it's so simple to make your own for half the cost of a premixed pack. You can make it up to your own taste as well. Plus there's the added bonus of using generic products without complaint (if you have a family that tends to complain). Simply mix the products into your own container and no-one will know the difference.

I never make 2 batches the same but here is what I put in our latest batch:

* 1 x 900g packet generic quick oats
* 1 x 500g packet generic processed wheat bran (it looks a little like All Bran)
* 1/2 x 500g packet generic cornflakes (we like crunch in our muesli)
* 1 x 200g packet diced apricots (you can save more by purchasing whole and dicing yourself - I was too lazy)
* 2 handfuls sultanas
* 2 handfuls pepitas

Stir together in your own container.

I mix it in a large bowl with an airtight lid and scoop into a plastic pour all style container.

I usually spend $5-$6 on the equivalent of $12 of muesli.

Play around with what you like and see what you come up with.

Cheap Easiyo

Image via Wikipedia If you like making your own yoghurt with an Easiyo maker, here is a recipe you can use to save you money.

1 1/3 Cups Full Cream Milk Powder
1/3 Cup Sugar
tsp Vanilla Essence (Imitation only as genuine has alcohol which will kill the bacteria culture)
2 Tablespoons Easiyo sachet (contains starter culture to get yoghurt going)

Half fill your Easiyo container with water, add all of the above ingredients and stir/shake until sugar is dissolved. Top up with water and put into Easiyo outer container as usual (with the boiling water as per Easiyo instructions).

When made, you can add fruit, syrup or other flavouring to taste.

This is a much cheaper way to make your Easiyo than using a full sachet each time!

Crockpot Recipes

Image via WikipediaA crock pot (slow cooker) is a fabulous way to save money. It's uses less electricity, enables you to cook cheaper cuts of meat and makes cooking simpler (therefore potentially saving on take away).

You can never have too many crockpot/slow cooker recipes.

I plan to go through this lot a bit at a time:

Crock-Pot Slow Cooker Recipes

If you try any and want to share which ones you like, feel free to do so. I'd love to hear.

Pita Bread Pizza

Image via WikipediaConsider the cost of going out for pizza. You're paying a premium price for globules of fat, a tiny bit of topping and the convenience factor.

How convenient is it though?

You don't only need to take into account the cost of the pizza but also any sides you may order, the time taken to decide what you'll have, fuel to pick it up (unless you PAY for home delivery) and wear and tear on your car. Not to mention having to go out into the elements instead of staying in the cosiness of your own home.

Pita Bread Pizzas can be whipped up in minutes, save you money AND are healthier (lower in fat).

Simply keep a packet of pita bread (or any flat bread) in your freezer ready for when you want to make your own pizzas. Top with pasta or pizza sauce (depending on taste), your favourite toppings and some grated cheese.

It's so quick and easy, you can even get the kids to do it. Or everyone can make their own, putting their favourite toppings on top.

EXTRA MONEY SAVING TIPS

To make your pizzas even cheaper, you can follow these tips. They take a little more effort but will save a few dollars.

• Make your own pizza bases. A simple scone dough works OR use a bread dough (bread dough makes DELICIOUS pizza bases)
• Grate your own cheese
• Top with leftovers rather than specifically purchased toppings