FOOD & RECIPES
NOTE: Some of the following recipes are costed in NZ$ for the possible benefit of Kiwis shopping in New Zealand supermarkets. They are approximate and can vary depending on which supermarket chain is used and in what quantity each item might be purchased. Otherwise NZ Users can create their own rough estimates for all other recipes, with the aid of a calculator provided HERE, for which guidance notes are included on the page.
ALMOND CROISSANTS NZ$2.50-$3.00 each - Croissants filled with almond cream.
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As can be deduced from the above table, the cost of preparing an almond croissant is matched by it's richness, if done properly. Each croissant can cost around NZ$3.00 to prepare at home, slightly more than the price at a store, IF available that is. However, home made will probably be better quality.
OTHERWISE.................
Making your own almond croissants can be an expensive and messy exercise and many people would prefer just to buy a pot of almond butter (for up to $15.00 ea) and spread it inside a warmed up plain croissant, together with raspberry jam (Conserve). Stick some flakes on top for authenticity!
APPLE CRISP aka CRUMBLE - NZ$1.50 per serving.
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OTHERWISE...............
Buy a can of apple pie filling ($2-$3); a packet of granola type breakfast cereal (say Vogel's Apple Crumble and Cinnamon @ $10!); and some brown sugar, then follow more or less the same instructions, with quantities to suit requirements, but without the baking period. Just warming through for 15 minutes will be sufficient. Plenty of custard or ice cream, or both, and no one will know they're not eating the genuine article!
ASIAN CHICKEN - NZ$5.00 to $7.00 per serving. (Shades of Thai Green Curry)
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OTHERWISE...............
Fry the onion and 1kg of chicken as recommended. Simultaneously boil or steam green beans and/or other veggies to hand. Mix the veggies into the pan and pour over a packaged Thai Green Curry sauce from the supermarket, costing say $6.00. Heat through until simmering, then serve with a packet of microwaved rice. Faster and cheaper at say $3.50 pp. Not quite as good as Moreen's recipe, but not bad!
BREAD & BUTTER PUDDING w/Marmalade - $2.60 PER SERVING
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OTHERWISE....................
Using white bread slices and sultanas instead of fruit bread and marmalade, could not only speed up the preparation a little and reduce the cost by a dollar or so, but also for many people, make the product more like what Mother used to make! Otherwise any adjustments in the cooking process would result in a spoiled pudding!
CAULIFLOWER SALAD - $3.50 per serving
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OTHERWISE................
An obvious time saver is to forego cooking of the cauliflower and make a raw salad with the same ingredients, thorough cleaning first being essential of course. If the eggs make this dish too expensive then replacement with a couple of cans of chickpeas is a nice option. Or whatever you fancy!
DUCK & CHERRY PIE - $10.00 per serving.
Quantities and instructions for 6 serves
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Quantities and costing for 2 servings
OTHERWISE.................
The high cost of duck meat makes this a significantly expensive dish to contemplate, especially if attempting to cook for a party of 6, but if you like pies and have never sampled Duck & Cherry before, then giving it a try at least for two people, is to be highly recommended.
