{Baked Camenbert}

I wanted to m,ake a snack for small group last night that was yummy but since I am thick in the midst of (attempting to) sleep training my baby, I didn't feel like hitting the shops looking like the "wreck of the hesperus" as my grandma says. So, I decided to set myself another 'shop the pantry' challenge. The result was wickedly delicious and I am adding this to my entertaining menu for sure! 

I searched through the pantry and the fridge and saw a small wheel of Camenbert on the cheese shelf that I didn't end up serving with dips a few days earlier. Perfect. That was my hero. I had hummus and carrot sticks, but that seemed in the words of Masterchef, pedestrian. I am not actually that fancy, I just like experimenting with flavours. I wanted something easy but different. I wondered about baking it as I had seen it done before and up comes this photo on my phone from Jamie Oliver. 

 

{RECIPE HERE}

That looked to die for. So I skimmed the ingredients and knew I had it on hand. Excellent! Even if you are not a baker or enjoy cooking that much, this is SO easy and the result is definitely one that creates a WOW factor. Its the kind of dish I could imagine having on a Friday night instead of dinner. A Spring or Autumn night out on the deck with a good glass of red. Chatting to my hubby and enjoying each others company. 

1. You simply score the cheese and place thinly sliced garlic, Rosemary leaves and a touch of Olive Oil.

2. Tear up chunks of day old bread and thread onto Rosemary stalks. Spray with oil and sprinkle with a little salt. Place in oven with cheese.

3. Whilst in the oven chop up some dried cranberries and nuts. I used pinenuts and walnuts which is what I had. I could imagine most working though. 

4. Once bread is golden and cheese is gooey, plate up. 

5. Dip bread in cheese and then sprinkle nut mixture on top and enjoy! SOOOO GOOOD!!!!  

My Interpretation of Jamie's dish:

  

Give it a go, if you can chop, rip and put stuff on a tray....you got this!

Lauren x

{LunchBox Life}

Earlier this week I posted this photo on my Insta feed and part of the caption read: "Today's 'shop the pantry' adventures." I wanted to bake some treats, but not go to the shops for anything.

I am often appalled by the price it costs to feed a family these days, and the more I talk to friends, I am convinced the feeling is also mutual. I have found that shopping at Aldi for most of our groceries has slashed the price significantly. However, my 8 and 5 year old boys are eating a lot and we haven't even hit 'teenager-land' yet! 

I whipped up these snacks briefly in the kitchen and it lasted us a whole week of lunchboxes, afternoon treats and even some lunches. Here are the details:

1. Zucchini Slice: {link to recipe here}

Now, my kids don't think they like zucchini, but I call it quiche and they love it! If the green bothers them, you could always peel it beforehand. You could also add grated carrot or corn into the mix too for a variation. I line a baking dish with baking paper to make it easy to lift out, then cut into squares. I froze half and put the other half into lunchboxes with some salad for a sandwich alternative.

2. Cheesy-mite Scrolls:

There is a "proper" way to do this using dough Details are {here} if you have time, but my life right now is all about making things as easy as possible and store bought puff pastry works fine.

Just spread a sheet of puff with vegemite, sprinkle a good amount of grated cheese on top and roll. Cut into pieces and then lay on tray and bake till golden. Simple!

3. Homemade "LCM's":

I had some cheerios and rice bubbles in the pantry that my boys were not that fussed with. So, I dug around to find something to create with that I had on hand and ended up making a sort of 'LCM' style bar equivalent that my boys now love! You can set into a baking dish and cut into squares or simply scoop into cupcake cases. No oven required, a few ingredients and so cheap and easy! I kinda winged it but found an official recipe for you guys to follow {recipe here}

4. Banana Bread:

A favorite in our house and the link is in the menu bar to the right under my favorite sweet recipes. But I'll also put it here too {recipe}

5. Choc Cupcakes:

I always have a cupcake mix on hand for those emergencies. It has saved me many times. I am not talking top shelf here, its a bag from woolies on the bottom shelf that only costs about 80 cents. I simply made this up to instructions, chucked in a mashed banana and some choc chips I had and Voila!

So, there are 5 easy things to add to your kids lunchboxes this week that wont break the bank. 

Hit me up on here in the comments below or on the Homemade FB page {link here} as to your favourite lunchbox winners! 

Lauren x