1. Use the oven efficiently: When cooking multiple dishes, use the oven to its full capacity. Preparing several meals at once can save energy. Additionally, avoid opening the oven door frequently, as this causes heat to escape and can increase cooking time.
2. Utilise slow and pressure cookers: Slow and pressure cookers are more energy-efficient than traditional ovens or hobs. Slow cookers can be left to prepare meals while you focus on other tasks, and they use less electricity than ovens do.
3. Opt for smaller appliances: When preparing small meals or reheating leftovers, consider using a toaster oven, air fryer, or microwave instead of the conventional oven. These smaller appliances generally use less energy and heat up more quickly.
4. Cook with lids on: Always use a lid on pots and pans when boiling or simmering. This traps heat and moisture, allowing your food to cook faster and using less energy.
5. Batch cook and freeze: Prepare large batches of food and freeze individual portions. This reduces the need to cook daily, enabling you to use your energy efficiently and minimising the number of times you use appliances. Plus, it saves time on busy or lazy days!

Implementing these tips can optimise your cooking practices during winter, contributing to valuable energy saving

Prep the oven:

• Preheat your oven to 220°C. A high heat will ensure a golden, flaky crust.

Make the filling using only the best:

• When making the roux, whisk in chicken broth and milk. Add a splash of white wine for an even richer flavour.
• Customise the filling with your favourite vegetables or spices. Shredded chicken, mixed vegetables, thyme, and parsley are good starting points.
• Leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken works excellent when strapped for time.
• Spread the pie filling evenly when adding to the crust.

Top it Off:

• Either cut slits for ventilation or crimp the edges with your fingers or a fork to seal it.
• Beat an egg and brush it over the crust for a golden finish.

Bake it golden:

• Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any drips) to make it easy to clean.

Cool it before you serve:

• Once the pie is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This helps the filling set.

1. COOK INDIAN: basmati rice, dried chillies, turmeric, masala, rosewater, tamarind paste, curry leaves, cardamom, mustard seeds, coriander, and cumin.
2. COOK ITALIAN: whole peeled tomato, tomato paste, olives, olive oil, polenta, roasted marinated peppers,  basil, bay leaves, caraway seeds, cilantro, dill, fennel seed and origanum.
3. COOK ASIAN: dried mushroom, noodles, rice paper wrappers, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sesame seeds, cilantro, coriander, cumin, star anise, Szechuan peppercorns and coconut milk.
4. COOK MIDDLE EASTERN AND AFRICAN: bulgur, couscous, dates, dried apricots, harissa sauce, tahini, chickpeas, cayenne, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, paprika, turmeric, za’atar spice blend, berbere spice blend, baharat spice blend.

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. If there are giblets in the chicken cavity, remove them and pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
3. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and any other desired herbs or spices.
4. Truss the chicken by tying the legs together with kitchen twine.
5. Place the chicken in a roasting pan and roast in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes per kilogram.
6. Baste the chicken with pan juices every 20-30 minutes to keep it juicy.
7. Make an incision into the thickest part of the chicken breast or wiggle a chicken leg to check if the chicken is cooked. If the meat juices run clear or a leg moves freely, and the joint feels loose, it’s ready.
8. Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving.

1. Meal Planning: Plan your meals for the week ahead of time to streamline grocery shopping and preparation.
2. Prep Ahead: Chop vegetables, marinate chicken and prepare sauces in advance to save time during cooking.
3. One-Pot Meals: Choose recipes that require one pot or pan to minimise clean-up and cooking time.
4. Use a Slow Cooker or Instant Pot: These appliances cook meals while you’re busy with other tasks, saving time and effort.
5. Sheet-Pan Dinners: Cook everything on a sheet pan in the oven for quick and easy clean-up.
6. Batch Cooking: Cook larger portions and freeze leftovers for future meals that can be quickly reheated.
7. Utilise Convenience Foods: Pre-cut vegetables, canned beans, and pre-cooked grains speed up meal preparation.
8. Simplify Recipes: To reduce time in the kitchen, choose recipes with fewer ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques.
9. Delegate Tasks: Get family members involved in meal prep to divide tasks and make cooking collaborative and fun!
10. Clean as You Go: Wash dishes, wipe counters, and tidy up as you cook to minimise post-dinner clean-up time.

• Superfoods: Elevate your dishes by adding nutrient-dense superfoods like quinoa, kale, or chia seeds. These ingredients can boost health benefits while staying true to the heart of the original recipe!
• Add exotic flavours: Infuse classic recipes with spices and flavours from other cuisines. Sumac, star anise or harissa can really make old classics pop!
• New techniques: Use modern cooking techniques such as sous-vide, hibachi or air frying to make classic recipes faster to prepare.
• Swap ingredients: Use coconut milk instead of cream for a lighter, dairy-free option, or swap out white rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.
• Make it look good: Use vibrant garnishes, pretty serving dishes, and creative arrangements to make the food look as good as it tastes!

Stocking your pantry for winter, a.k.a. comfort food season, requires careful planning to ensure you have everything you need to create hearty and satisfying meals without doing a store run in the cold.

Here are our top tips to help you stock effectively:

1. Bulk Staples: Purchase bulk quantities of staple ingredients like rice, pasta, quinoa, beans, and lentils. These items have long shelf lives and can serve as the foundation for many comforting dishes such as soups, stews, and casseroles.
2. Broths and Stocks: Keep your pantry stocked with various broths and stocks, including chicken, beef, vegetable, and bone broth. These flavourful bases are essential for making soups, sauces, and stews.
3. Herbs and Spices: Invest in herbs and spices to add depth and flavour to your winter dishes. Include the essentials in your pantry, like garlic-, onion- and chilli powder, oregano, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon and nutmeg.
4. Frozen Produce: Stock your freezer with your favourite chicken cuts, fruits and vegetables for nutritious options throughout winter. Frozen produce is just as healthy as fresh and can be used in various dishes, including smoothies, soups, stews and stir-fries.
5. Baking Essentials: Don’t forget baking essentials such as flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cocoa powder. You can bake homemade bread, muffins, cookies, and other comforting treats with these ingredients.
6. Comfort Food Indulgences: Treat yourself to indulgent pantry items like chocolate chips, marshmallows, pancake mixes, and gourmet sauces or condiments. These items can elevate your comfort food dishes and make them feel extra special.

Autumn Picnic: Plan a cosy outdoor picnic. Pack her favourite seasonal treats, warm beverages, and homemade chicken soup in a thermos.

DIY Spa Day: Create an at-home spa experience for Mom with autumn-themed treatments, such as cinnamon-infused massages and warm baths with essential oils. Set the mood with candles and soothing music.

Cooking Class: Enroll in a virtual or in-person cooking class together. Learn how to make new dishes like curries and roasts. Enjoy the process of cooking together and savouring the delicious results.

Nature Walk: Take Mom on a leisurely nature walk through a local park or nature reserve to reconnect.

Scenic Drive: Plan a scenic drive through the countryside or along a picturesque route known for its autumn foliage. Pack a picnic or visit a quaint café to admire the seasonal beauty together.

1. Go for gloves: Protect your hands from the oils that can cause skin irritation and burning sensations. Wear a pair of disposable gloves while chopping, deseeding, or handling chillies.
2. Open a window: Chilli peppers can pack a punch and release severe heat into the air. Ensure the kitchen is well-ventilated when chopping chillies.
3. Don’t touch: Seriously, don’t do it! Capsaicin oils can still linger even after you’ve washed your hands. Be careful not to touch your face, especially your eyes and other sensitive areas.
4. Tame the heat levels: If you want to tone down the heat, scrape out the seeds and the fiery membrane – where most capsaicin oil lies. If the heat is still too much, add dairy products like milk, yoghurt, or sour cream to the recipe to help neutralise the spiciness.
5. Use a special board: Using a separate cutting board for chilli peppers prevents cross-contamination. This will ensure that any capsaicin residue doesn’t transfer to other ingredients or utensils while cooking.