Italian One-Pot Wonder

 

If there’s one thing that makes me deliriously happy when it comes to cooking, and the kitchen in general, it’s having minimal dishes. We don’t have a dishwasher in our cosy little house right now, so it falls on me to be the one woman dish-washer! Which is a little bit of a pain because out of every household chore, dish-washing is my least favourite… perhaps because I’ve been in hospitality for so long and have spent copious amounts of hours with my hands in sinks washing dishes, resulting in prunes for fingers!

So when I saw this idea for a ‘one pot pasta dish’ on Pinterest I experienced a lot of feelings, but the main one was pure excitement! I went on to discover that this dish is perfect for using up any random bit of left-overs you have lying around in your fridge! Be it veggies, scraps of meat or even some stock from last night’s dinner (which is partly what I used!) it’s a really flexible recipe.

I’m going to share with you what I put in my version, however don’t feel like you HAVE to stick to it. This is one of those recipes that’s great to play around with and have fun. Also, I have to note that my version isn’t strictly one pan, as I like my salami to be a tiny bit crisp so I did that in a frying pan – but it’s not a necessary step. To make it a one pot meal I’ll adjust accordingly below.

Italian One Pot Wonder

Serves: 4-6

I N G R E D I E N T S
5 cups vegetable/beef/chicken stock (whatever you have)
2 tablespoons olive oil
350 grams spaghetti
300g mild salami
2x 400g cans diced tomatoes
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic/4 teaspoons crushed garlic
300-400g baby spinach
1 teaspoon basil (dried)
4 teaspoons basil pesto (optional)
1 teaspoon oregano (dried)
1 teaspoon mixed herbs
1 cup cream

M E T H O D
1. Pour stock into a large saucepan and bring to the boil.
2. Add the spaghetti (break in half to fit in the saucepan better) and submerge in the stock.
3. Add the oil, salami, diced tomatoes, onion, and garlic. Stir to combine.
4. Wait 2 minutes, then add the spinach, basil, pesto, oregano and mixed herbs. Stir to combine ensuring that it remains on the boil constantly  otherwise your spaghetti will end up a little gluey.
5. Cook until spaghetti is done, roughly around 10 minutes and then take off the heat.
6. Stir in cream and serve!

 

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Wallet Watching Wednesday – Top 10 Money Saving Tips

Welcome to our second Wallet Watching Wednesday! I’m so excited! Nat’s got some great tips and tricks coming up for this link up and the next, so definitely go and check out her blog. I’m hoping that as the weeks go by this little community we’re trying to create grows and encourages!

Link up with us below and check out the other posts!

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This week, I’m sharing my 10 best money saving tips!

1. Buy used, save the difference.
I got this saying off the show 19 Kids and Counting – it’s one of Jim Bob Duggar’s favourite sayings. (Not looking to start a debate on their beliefs or anything – but I KNOW I’m not the only one who watches it haha). The basic idea is that if you buy things second hand or from op shops, you save the difference between what you paid and the brand new price. Which sometimes turns out to be a huge difference! I wrote a post about getting more bang for your buck while Op Shopping – check it out here!

2. Shop smart, eat smart.
 I won’t waffle on about it again because I’ve said it time and time again, but a big place to save money is the grocery store. Go here for my 5 tips on saving money on groceries.

3. If you don’t need it, sell it.
Over the years, a combination of moving around a few times (and having to keep all my belongings in 1 bedroom) and having a minimal amount of money has caused me to only have what I need. If I don’t need it, if it’s excess, I get rid of it. One of the best ways I’ve found to do this is to sell things on Facebook! Sometimes things don’t sell and that’s fine, because giving things to op shops is a great way to support local charities, but for bigger items it’s great to be able to sell them!

4. Only take what you want to spend.
If you have a problem with spending more than you intend to each time you set foot in a shop, try using cash and only taking enough for what you need to buy. That way you avoid any impulse purchases, because you simply can’t buy anything extra!

5. “Do I need this?”
This question goes hand in hand with number three, and applies both to what you have and what you buy. I ask the question “do I really need this” whenever I’m sorting through things in our home and deciding what to keep and what to toss. I ask the question “do I want this or do I need this” when we’re out shopping. Especially when we’re grocery shopping. Sure, buy some snacks! Everyone needs snacks sometimes, don’t feel guilty about things like that! But factor those into your grocery list and leave it at those items. If you only go into stores with a purpose, you’re a little less likely to buy things you want but don’t need. (This doesn’t mean you don’t buy yourself the occasional treat – treating yourself occasionally is important).

6. Look after your belongings
When you look after things, they last! Maintaining cars keeps them running and keeps you from having to buy a new one! Teaching your kids to look after their toys keeps you from having to replace toys over and over and over. Obviously things wear out (especially when they’re around kids) and wear and tear is a normal part of family life, but sometimes it’s avoidable! My parents brought me up to take care of my toys like they were a liquid gold because they didn’t have a lot of money to buy me a lot of toys, and I really appreciate it in a lot of ways, because I feel like it makes me more aware of what I have, and more grateful.

7. Know your prices
Know what things cost, or shop around before you make purchases, especially large purchases. If you know the price of items you purchase regularly, you’ll know when you’re getting a good deal! 

8. Online initiatives
I’m not too sure about American sites (though I know they’re out there) but there are some great apps and sites in Australia that’ll help you save money. Check out OzSale (on iPhone, android and online) for sales on pretty much anything you could think of. Beauty products, clothes, homewares, gifts. You name it, they’ll eventually have it on sale! Another similar app is Catch of the Day (on iPhone, android and online) which also features food savings. Catch of the Day has 2 sister apps/sites called Mumgo, for everything a mum could ever need, and GroceryRun which is exclusively food. I have a friend who got me onto GroceryRun recently who makes a purchase about once a month to stock up, and ends up saving almost the same amount she spends. This is also great for buying in bulk.
It’s also worth searching ‘{brand name/store name} discount’ or ‘coupon’ when you’re shopping online, as sometimes you’ll find a random code to enter at the checkout that’ll get you 20% off or something similar.

9. Carry a water bottle
Carrying a water bottle around is great for your health, too! When you’re out and about, you’re not going to need to stop and buy a drink (which will most likely be extremely over-priced) if you’ve got water with you! It will also help you avoid soft drinks and other unhealthy options. It’s also worth carrying a museli bar or something similar as well, then you’re not going to be tempted to buy extra snacks while out. Again, good for your pocket and good for your health!

10. Grow your own!
This is something I’m yet to start, but it’s a work in progress! If you head over to Nat’s blog at Home Sweet Kitchen Garden you’ll see heaps of posts about her home harvest and it’s so inspiring! Fresh fruit and veggies can really add up and send your grocery bill through the roof. If you can make it or grow it instead of buying it, all power to you! Go you! Please, share your tips!

photo credit: Alan Cleaver via photopin cc

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Below you’ll find the link up for this week! Don’t be shy, share the knowledge!

TO LINK UP:
Follow me here (or here on Bloglovin’) and follow Nat at Home Sweet Kitchen Garden blog for more frugal finds!
Like Grace in the Little Things & Home Sweet Kitchen & Garden on Facebook for even MORE updates and handy tips!
Be kind and share the love and read some of the other great tips on how to save money and leave a comment on the blogs that you visit to let them know you were there!

Click the adorable little widget below to view other’s links and add your own!

 

Creamy Tortellini Soup

 

I am so excited that we’re back to going grocery shopping and I’m back to planning meals. I’m going to post my meal plan for next week on Sunday, and I’m going to start doing that every week if I can, to share my meals with you and hopefully provide some inspiration for you because if you’re anything like me then you sometimes get stuck on what to cook.

Last night I tried a recipe I found on Pinterest called Creamy Tortellini Soup! I had a few errors in judgement, partly due to the fact that the recipe I used was American so it used ‘half and half’ and ounces and pounds so I figured I’d share it with you with the adjusted measurements, haha. It really was delicious and the fiance approved so that’s the main thing! It’s a great weeknight meal because it was super easy to whip up and really didn’t take many ingredients at all!

Creamy Tortellini Soup

Serves: 4   Time: 20-30 minutes

I N G R E D I E N T S

3 cloves of garlic, minced (or 3 teaspoons from a jar)

1 small onion

2 Tblsp Olive oil

2 cans condensed tomato soup

1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped

1 cup cream

2 cups chicken stock

1 Tblsp Italian seasoning/mixed herbs

salt & pepper to taste

250g pack of Tortellini (I used veal filled)

shredded parmesan cheese to serve

M E T H O D

1. Cook onion and garlic in oil until onion is soft. 

2. Add sun dried tomatoes & herbs, cook for 1 minute. 

3. Add soup, cream and stock and then bring to a simmer. 

4. Add tortellini and cook according to the directions on the pack. 

5. Serve!

 

How easy was that!? What’s your favourite easy weeknight meal? Feel free to share a link if you have one!

 

Home-made Family Meat Pie

There’s nothing I love more than homey recipes like this that are healthy, hearty, filling and delicious!

My mum’s been making meat pies like this since before I can remember, so obviously when I moved out it became something I cooked pretty regularly. Especially because when I was living on my own with housemates, I could freeze it in portions! It’s a super easy freezer meal.

I’ve tried a few recipes in my time that have all been similar, and have settled on my own way to make the pie, so I thought I’d share it with you guys!

First off, preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C for a fan-forced oven) and make sure you grease your pie dish! Don’t be me and forget! It made getting the pie out incredibly messy, it wasn’t a pretty sight! 

Line your pie dish with puff pastry (my dish requires off-cuts because it’s a little on the large side) and then line with baking paper. Fill the dish with rice (or baking weights if you have them). Most recipes I’ve seen say to use fresh rice but to be completely honest, I have a container that I put my rice in after each time and just use the same rice – there’s been no difference! It saves wasting perfectly good rice!

Bake the pastry in the oven for 18-20 minutes, keeping an eye on it in the last few minutes because you don’t want it to get too brown, just a light golden colour.

Grab a saucepan and heat some oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, mixed veggies and garlic. Cook until the onion is softened. Add mushrooms and herbs and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring until the mushrooms are softened. Add mince and cook until brown.

Add wine, a dash of Worcestershire sauce and a dash of sweet chilli sauce, stir to combine and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes, until most of the liquid has evaporated.

Mix up the gravy powder in 1 1/2 cups of water, add to the pan and bring to the boil. Cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened.

You’re almost done!!

Pour mixture into your prepared pastry case and top with pastry, pressing the edges to seal. Cut a small cross in the centre (to let steam escape) and brush the top with egg. I’ll be honest, most of the time I forget or can’t be bothered… but it makes it look all shiny and delicious, haha!

Bake for 30 minutes in the oven until golden brown. Stand for 5 minutes before serving because it will be HOT!

Serve with salad, more veggies or just by itself, it’s definitely filling enough for a meal. It works great as leftovers as well!

Now then, I want to know what YOU love to cook that you’ve been eating as a kid, or that is one of your go-to favourite homey meals! Post in the comments or tweet me @graceinthings and let me know, I need some dinner ideas! 

Home-made Family Meat Pie

 

I N G R E D I E N T S

puff pastry (2-3 sheets)

olive oil

1 medium brown onion, finely diced

2 cups frozen mixed veggies

2-3 cloves garlic cloves

100g button mushrooms, thinly sliced

teaspoon dried mixed herbs

600g beef mince

1/2 cup red wine

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce

2 tablespoons beef gravy powder

1 1/2 cups water

1 egg (optional)

 

M E T H O D

1. Preheat oven to 200 (180 for fan-forced). Grease a pie dish and line with puff pastry. Line the pastry with baking paper and fill with rice or baking weights. Cook in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until golden. Remove paper and weights.

2. Heat oil in a large saucepan, then add frozen veggies, onion and garlic. Cook until onion is softened. Add mushrooms and herbs and cook for 5 minutes, or until the mushrooms have softened. Add mince and cook until brown.

3. Add wine, Worcestershire sauce and sweet chilli sauce. Mix to combine and simmer for 3-5 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated.

4. Combine gravy powder and water, then add to the pan. Increase heat to high and bring to the boil. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens.

5. Pour into pastry case and top with pastry, pressing edges together to seal. Cut a small cross in the middle. Brush with egg and then bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until golden. Stand for 5 minutes to cool.