Table of contents for March 2023 in Taste.com.au

this month for many Aussies, the real start of the year is when school returns. It's the time that reality bites (ahem) and the routine of everyday life begins. It's also the perfect time to arm yourself with everything you can to make your life easier, healthier and tastier than ever before, all without breaking the bank (or a sweat). Well, you've come to the right place for that! Bursting with new ideas, we took on the attitude of go BIG or go home. So, every recipe is BIG on flavour, BIG on the wow factor, BIG on healthiness and BIG on family friendliness, but most of all, BIG on value. The Budget Collection icons below are peppered throughout the issue highlighting recipes that deliver on so much more than…

$3.20 Per serve $3.50 per serve $1.85 per serve $3.40 per serve $2.80 per serve…

PRETTY IN PINK We are tickled pink with the blush-worthy new hue to adorn our kitchen benchtop. KitchenAid's 2023 Colour of the Year, Hibiscus, is inspired by the vibrant beauty of the hibiscus flower. Both the Artisan Stand Mixer, $999 (pictured) and K400 Blender, $449, are now available in the stunning shade, with a matte finish. See the range at harveynorman.com.au. COCKTAIL O'CLOCK! Shake up your cocktail game with fab flavours like spicy watermelon or charred pineapple. Just add your spirit of choice to Capi's all-natural mixers, shake then serve. Each bottle makes eight party-starting drinks. Find Spicy Watermelon Margarita and Charred Pineapple Daiquiri at Coles or capi.com.au for $20 a bottle. MIX UP COCKTAIL HOUR IT'S MY jam Give your usual strawberry jam-topped scones and pancakes the Aussie natives…

getting into cook mode –recipe-out, ingredientsbought, ready-to-getamongst-the-kitchen mode – takes a lot, I get it. It is my hope that with this book you will be inspired to get in there and well… cook. Yes, this is your recipe book talking (but also the author), and I'm asking you to please cook my pages, cover me in food (less the author here) and reap the rewards of recipes inspired and written with maximum of flavour and minimum of fuss in mind. I spend a lot of my day thinking about the next meal and what I can do now to make it the best. Whether it's throwing onions in a bowl with vinegar to pickle or marinating meat so they have an extra layer of flavour, I'm never not striving…

We ate it. We rate it. LUNCH BOX SNACKS We went on the hunt to answer the age-old question: what to pack in the lunch box? From better-for-you sweet treats to savoury snacks, we've got something in here to please both the tiniest of tastebuds and the grown-ups. With these mighty morsels packed, we guarantee that lunch box will come home empty! GO NUTS Shelby's Dipped & Dusted Almonds Raspberry Dark Chocolate,$3 Delicate and crisp, these roasted almonds are dipped in an ultra-thin layer of dark chocolate, then dusted with dried raspberries. Perfect for mid-arvo cravings. Double ‘D’ Smart Sweets Sour Gmmies, $2 For a lip-smacking sour treat, try these low-sugar, low-cal and fibrepacked gummies. They contain nothing artificial and have the same great chewy gummy taste and texture of…

Easy chicken & broccolini stir-fry It's an easy, flavour-packed stir-fry. I love making this dish. Very easy, quick to make and, of course, very tasty. If I am in a rush or come back late from picking up the kids from school, I can quickly cook this up. 10/10 – would recommend. @KENZIEMORRIS786 Easy and tasty. @JONCED3 Mini caramelised onion sausage rolls These bites are a hit with the kids. Always make heaps as they fly off the plate. They are often requested by my grandchildren. @POL Delicious, light and can easily up the vegetables. They were a big hit. @GLENICE_H I will make them again. @PELI13 Red velvet ripple baked cheesecake Pleasing to the eyes and belly! I've made this a few times now and it turns out beautifut…

Corn fritters are an awesome way to jazz up simple on-hand ingredients. To save on spices, we've used curry powder - adding loads of flavour and a touch of spice. Our sticky bacon jam will blow you away! It's caramelised bacon and onion cooked with brown sugar until syrupy, and it's what makes this brunch irresistible. let's go! 250g cocktail truss tomatoes 150g (1 cup) plain flour 2 tsp Keen's Traditional Curry Powder 420g can corn kernels, drained 150g haloumi, coarsely grated 150g (1 cup) frozen baby peas, thawed 1 egg, lightly whisked 185ml (3/4 cup) milk Vegetable oil, to shallow fry ½ avocado, cut into 4 wedges Baby spinach, to serve bacon jam 1 tbs vegetable oil 300g rindless bacon rashers, cut into thin strips 1 red onion, finely…

this month Made to last Make one cook last for a few dishes. Save money and time by making: • a bolognaise that goes on to become a chilli then a baked potato filling; • a ratatouille that becomes the vehicle for baking eggs in, then a pasta sauce; or • a braise base to house the last of that slow-roasted lamb shoulder after it has given you meat for a shepherd's pie and a night of souvas. Add ingredients like pulses, vegies, capers, lemon, chilli, spices or olives to put a totally new spin on one of these more neutral bases. Concentrate on carbs Our peasant ancestors didn't have the luxury of eating meat with three veg, so follow their cash-canny lead and build meals around these budget staples,…

FILL 'em UP BUDGET COLLECTION $4.15 per serve SCAN THE QR CODE FOR CLEVER WAYS WITH LENTILS We threw In extra garlic and ginger, and used less curry paste, for budget-friendly flavour. It's just as tasty, we promise! ONLY 10 MINS PREP tikka pork & lentil curry serves 4 | prep 10 mins | cooking 20 mins 1 tbs olive oil 500g pork mince 1 red onion, cut into thin wedges 60g (¼ cup) gluten-free tikka masala paste 4cm-piece ginger, peeled, finely grated 2 garlic cloves, crushed 400g can cherry tomatoes 270ml can coconut milk 400g can brown lentils, rinsed, drained 60g baby spinach 1 Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Cook the pork, breaking up any lumps with a wooden spoon, for 5 minutes or…

fun cooking LUXE BUDGET COLLECTION START FRESH & FRUITY MENU watermelon & rosewater iced tea fancy french onion dip barbecued chicken & fiery romesco sauce crispy bacon creamy potato salad. raspberry & white chocolate cheesecake watermelon & rosewater iced tea serves 8 | prep 10 mins (+ 5 mins steeping, 20 mins cooling & 2 hours chilling) 750ml (3 cups) boiling water 2 Lady Grey tea bags 2.5kg watermelon, peeled, roughly chopped 2 tsp rosewater essence 500ml (2 cups) chilled mineral water Fresh mint sprigs and ice cubes, to serve 1 Place the boiling water and tea bags in a large heatproof jug. Set aside for 5 minutes to steep. Remove and the discard tea bags. Set aside for 20 minutes to cool. 2 Place the watermelon in a blender. Blend until…

SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO caramilk custard slice makes 24 | prep 25 mins (+ cooling & 4 hours chilling) | cooking 5 mins 1 Grease a 3cm-deep, 20 x 30cm (base size) slice pan. Line with baking paper, allowing paper to overhang the long sides. 2 Arrange half the biscuits over the base of prepared pan, trimming to fit if necessary. 3 Place the custard powder and caster sugar in a saucepan. Pour in 125ml (½ cup) milk and stir until a smooth paste forms. Stir in the remaining milk. Place over medium-high heat and bring to the boil. Cook for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir through Caramilk until smooth. Set aside, stirring occasionally, until cooled completely. 4 Fold through…

smoked salmon In step 2 omit parmesan and add 2 tbs chopped fresh chives to the waffle mixture. Serve with smoked salmon, sour cream, capers and lemon wedges to squeeze over. pizza Top all of the waffles with 1 tbs finely grated parmesan in the last minute of cooking (rather than just those in step 5). Top with warmed tomato pasta sauce, chopped ham and pineapple. benedict Serve the waffles with wilted baby spinach, cooked bacon and a poached egg. Drizzle over hollandaise sauce.…

CAN-DO attitude! Always have a couple of these pantry staples on hand for the ultimate budget-busting ingredient. A can of legumes or pulses is your pantry pal all year round because you can throw ’em in soups, stews, salads, dips and mash. And you'll often find them on special at the supermarket – that's when you should stock up! The best bit? These little guys make your buck go even further by keeping you fuller for longer. We've enlisted their help to stretch out dinner in our Tikka pork and lentil curry (p47) and One-pan cheesy beef taco rice bake (p48).…

drink it in – this is the season for breaking out the picnic basket and enjoying sitting under the autumn leaves with friends and fam, drink in hand. From ready-to-drink cocktails to the latest gins, these new drinks are the ones you'll want! GIN WIN Never Never Distilling Co Ginache, $72 Bursting with bright raspberry, candied peel, plum and cinnamon, the grenache grapes added to this gin are what won it the Australia's Best Flavoured Gin award. Enjoy neat over ice or with a splash of tonic. Escape Room Piquette, $7.99 each or $29.99 (4 x 330ml) This wine-like, canned spritzy drink is made out of grape skins that would otherwise go to waste. It's like a wine-flavoured sour beer or seltzer with notes of blood orange, raspberry, cherry and…

Pommery NV Brut Royal Champagne, $79 Got a special occasion this month? Splash out with the real deal. Aged for 36 months, this NV is a traditional blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and meunier. DRINK IT WITH savoury muffins and pastries, creamy seafood dishes. LIMITED EDITION GIFT BOX Spinach & ricotta ‘sausage’ rolls p24 Campos de Luz 2021 Garnaelia, $.20 Spain produces some cracking, well-priced reds, and this one delivers on juicy red fruits, like cherries and raspberries, along with deliciously savoury, umami flavours and chewy tannins. It's hard to have just one glass! DRINK IT WITH sausages, beef. GREAT NOW OR AGED Quick beef yakisoba p38 Mr. Riggs 2022 Woodside Sauvignon Blane, $22 You don't need to look across the ditch for great-value savvy B. This one from Adelaide…

YARRA VALLEY'S FINEST SCAN THE QR CODE TO ENTER wine o'clock! If your wine rack is looking a little bare after all the fun-filled summer festivities, this 12-bottle prize pack has arrived at the perfect time! The Innocent Bystander collection, valued at $270, includes a mix of reds, whites and pinks – so whether your drink of choice is a crisp, dry rosé; an earthy, medium-bodied red; or a sweet and juicy moscato, there is a drop to please all palates and occasions. Learn more about the range at innocentbystander.com.au. flippin’ good Win this comp and you'll be dialling up the heat and searing to perfection with the Fiskars 24cm Norden Cast Iron Fry Pan, worth $279. This pan's unique mineral treatment can handle very high temperatures, ensuring an even…

this month EASY BREKKY FOR SIX Crunchy potato waffles are a sure-fire way to start the day. Serve with maple-glazed bacon and tomatoes. For more on waffle makers, head to Test Kitchen (p115). SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO Give the family favourite a vegetarian spin by using cauliflower instead of chicken. Follow our shortcuts –it's super simple! SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO Sticky date soaked in a serious layer of custard and topped with thick, fluffy meringue, this afternoon treat combines three classic desserts in one!…

We only have ‘fries’ for appliances that cut down on cooking times and stress levels, so this is the kind of prize we love every day of the week! Cook our crunch-crazy corn fritters on the cover to win a Philips Premium Airfyer XXL, valued at $629! There are two up for grabs, but you've gotta be in it to win it, so send a pic our way to go in the running. This awesome appliance takes the guesswork out of cooking – it automatically adjusts time and temperature depending on what you're whipping up. Plus, it can take on a family-sized meal for six with a 7.3L-capacity basket- It's fry time! It' all about the crunch, so i want to see crispy, golden goodness. And don't hold back on…

eat real KID APPROVED BUDGET COLLECTION the school bell rings and you know that means you'll have a house full of rumbling tummies crashing through the door! But what to feed them? Whether you have a toddler, tween or teen, when school's done for the day you're faced with a hangry human that's opening and closing the fridge and pantry on a desperate quest for something, ANYTHING to eat - and your offer of fruit never cuts it. Don't worry, we've got you. Before resorting to a packet of processed puff that will only sharpen their appetites, check out these recipes. We've picked the best parent- and kid-approved snacks, treats and dinners that will slay their hunger and ease your mind in one fell swoop. And the best thing? Most…

Tried & tested Nothing says Sunday morning quite like the delicious smell and oh-so-tasty first bite of homemade waffles. Soft and fluffy on the inside and crunchy on the outside, waffles are the decadent breakfast treat worth getting out of bed for. But many waffle makers can be hard to clean and take up lots of room, which is where these beauties come in –some feature dishwasher-safe removable plates, some double up as toastie or doughnut machines. Here are our faves based on size, functionality, reviews and price points. SWITCH IT UP! Cucina Essenziale 3-in-1 Snack Maker BEST FOR: more than just waffles Fun and functional, this appliance is perfect for the after-school rush. It comes with removable waffle, doughnut and toasted sandwich plates, so you can make a snack…

90¢ each Tracy discovered that tuna mornay makes a tasty filling for pastry parcels! Serve with a salad for dinner and reheat the next day. Make the filling up to a day ahead, then fill and cook just before serving. Four fit in a large air fryer. Reduce the number per batch if yours is small. You don't want to overcrowd them. air fryer tuna mornay parcels makes 8 | prep 25 mins (+ cooling) | cooking 30 mins 30g butter 2 green shallots, thickly sliced 2 tbs plain flour 310ml (¼ cups) milk SOg (1 cup) coarsely grated Cheddar 185g can tuna in oil, drained, flaked 120g (¾ cup) frozen mixed vegetables (such as peas and corn) 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, just thawed 1 egg, lightly whisked 1…

TOP OF THE SAUCES NO BULL! Our in-house South African snack connoisseur gives this organic, grass-fed biltong the thumbs up. Seasoned with traditional spices like coriander seed and black pepper, the bite-sized pieces of air-dried steak are a snack we'll happily snaffle up. Dig into the original or chilli blend, but try not to eat the whole bag in one sitting (good luck!). Pick up a pack from selected supermarkets or barbellfoods.com.au from $12. source this sauce We agree with more than 5000 Aussies who voted Roll'd Vietnamese sauces their favourite supermarket item in the Product of the Year Awards Dressings and Sauces category! A squeeze of the Nuoc Mam, Spicy Hoisin or Chilli Mayo will take your cooking to new heights. Find them in Coles for $6. Mocha IT…

for more info Yates Parsley Curled seeds are available at selected retail outlets and through the Yates Shop: yates.com.au/product Got a gardening question? Head to yates.com.au For more help on growing vegies, join the Yates Garden Community at yates.com.au/garden-community EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR TASTE: The first 100 readers to join will receive a free packet of seeds. Use promo code: TASTE2023. T&Cs apply, see yates.com.au Curled parsley is a nostalgic favourite! You can use this vibrant herb as a garnish or to add flavour to sauces, soups and roasts. Milder tasting than its flatleaf Italian relative, curly leaf parsley has a slightly coarse texture and is often added to risotto, Tabouli, soup and white sauce. Follow these simple steps to grow your own in a vegie patch or pot. step-by-step parsley…

healthier weet-bix baked cheesecake serves 8 | prep 20 mins (+ 2 hours 15 mins cooling & 4 hours chilling) | cooking 1 hour 30 mins 150g Weet-Bix cereal 80ml (1/3 cup) solid coconut oil, melted 125g fresh or thawed frozen raspberries, plus extra, to decorate 500g low-fat fresh ricotta 250g ctn light cream cheese 180ml (2/3 cup) neutral honey (see tip) 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 eggs 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan forced. Release the base of a 20cm (base size) springform pan. Invert the base and spray with oil. Line base with baking paper, allowing paper to overhang 4cm above side. Secure base back in pan. Grease the side of pan. 2 Place the Weet-Bix in a food processor and process until finely crushed. Add the coconut…