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Freezer Meal Prep Ideas

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The ultimate guide to filling your freezer to make meal times easy! Here is my list of freezer meal prep ideas for new parents, busy times of year on the farm or just to be organised!

Freezer basket with slow cooker prep meals

With baby number 2's arrival only a couple of weeks away, I'm happy to say my freezer is officially full!

When I was pregnant with Sadie I prepared a few meals for the freezer but knowing what life is like with a toddler and having a pretty fair idea of what I'm in for with a newborn this time, I knew I wanted to be much better organised this time around. To be honest, I actually found cooking dinners with just Sadie as a baby easy enough, but the thought of preparing dinner for Sadie, getting her to bed, dealing with the witching hours of a newborn and trying to get something healthy and delicious on the table for Josh and I was completely overwhelming and something that I knew I could have control over if I was organised.

So the ultimate list for pre baby meal prep was born and I got cooking!

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Sadie is 2!

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As a parent, the biggest thing that I've learnt is that I am pretty much never going to be on time for anything, ever again and that goes for these updates too! I just really wanted to get it done before this next baby joins us as I know I'll be even more behind once that happens!

Sadie turned 2 at the end of May and I seriously do not know how that happened so fast. The last year has just flown by and we now have a real little girl, not just a baby anymore!

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Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree (Multi Cooker)

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How to make instant pot pumpkin puree in 30 minutes! No peeling, cutting or preparation required, just simple pumpkin puree in the instant pot or multi cooker. Perfect for pie, bread or soup!

Whole pumpkin in instant pot/multi cooker

It's been about 6 months since I've had my multi cooker (or instant pot) and I keep figuring out amazing things to do with it all the time!

So far cooking rice, beans and porridge/oatmeal are an almost daily occurrence but since our gigantic pumpkin harvest, cooking a whole pumpkin in the multi cooker is my new favourite thing!

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Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding

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Everyone needs a recipe for chocolate self saucing pudding! This delicious dessert is saucy, chocolate comfort food at it's best! Serve with vanilla ice cream for the perfect after dinner treat.

Chocolate self saucing pudding in white dish with bowl served up beside it

When I was a kid, chocolate self saucing pudding was always my favourite and apparently, that has not changed!

I mean, what's not to love? Delicious chocolate cake, sprinkled with brown sugar and cocoa and topped with water that magically turns into the most amazing chocolate sauce.

How does it even happen??!!

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One Pot Sausage Pasta

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This easy one pot sausage pasta is going to become a regular on your weekly meal rotation! 30 minutes from start to finish and everything (including the pasta) is cooked in one pot!

Bowl with sausage pasta and tea towel

So, Sadie has started doing this really awesome thing where she likes to try and climb out of her cot at nap time.

We had this perfect plan that we would paint the new room, buy her a big girl bed and then at the start of August (time before the baby arrives) make a big deal out of moving her into a new room and bed and it would be happy days.

But of COURSE, like anything parenting, things don't ever go as planned, so given that the room is not ready to paint and we have no idea what bed we are buying her, I think we are now going to take the side off her cot and slowly start the transition into a bed that way.

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Cheesy Spinach Cob Loaf

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This cheesy spinach cob loaf recipe is the most delicious appetizer ever! The best spinach cheese dip served up in a homemade cob loaf and ready to dip toasty bread into!

Cob loaf filled with cheesy spinach dip

I'm at the point in this pregnancy where I'm well and truly past the "I don't feel good, only bread and cheese will do" stage and have moved gracefully onto the "I'm pregnant and I will eat as much bread and cheese as I like" stage. It's a good one!

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Cob Loaf Recipe

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A simple cob loaf recipe - the perfect bread for sandwiches or for a delicious stuffed cheesy cob loaf!

Cob loaf on a cooling rack with a blue tea towel

It's been so long since I've shared a bread recipe with you! So I'm back with a really great one that not only makes delicious sandwich bread, it also is just what you need to fill up with a delicious cheesy filling to make a cheesy spinach cob loaf!

Because, of course you can buy a cob loaf from the supermarket (although I have actually struggled to find them before!) but you KNOW that making it from scratch makes the whole thing so much better!

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How to Can Applesauce (stewed apples)

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A step by step tutorial showing you exactly how to make delicious sugar free homemade stewed apples and how to can applesauce - the perfect way to preserve the apple harvest and great to have on hand for roast pork, baby food or quick desserts!

Jar of canned applesauce with apples on wooden background

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which pay me a small commission for my referral at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting The Kiwi Country Girl.

After a little break from all the preserving fruit and veggies I did over summer I'm back at it with the autumn harvest! And can I just say, canning (or bottling) is so much more enjoyable when it's not 30°C and you are leaning over a hot stove!

Canning applesauce is the most fun!

I've always stewed apples to have around for roast pork, baby food options or just to add to a quick apple crumble over winter but I've always frozen it. Nothing wrong with that method (in fact, I did some like that this year too) but I always forget to take it out of the freezer in time so end up having to hurriedly try and defrost it right as I'm serving up. Not ideal!

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Spiced Apple Muffins

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These spiced apple muffins are the perfect autumn baking treat. Full of fresh apples and yummy spices, these muffins are perfect for lunchboxes, morning tea or for stocking up the freezer!

Spiced apple muffins on a metal cooling rack

Ok ok I'm finally ready to admit it's autumn. I go through this battle every single year. I hold onto summer for as long as humanely possible i.e. until my toes start falling off because I am still wearing jandals even though it's under 10°C.

But I can't help it! As much as I think I like the idea of dressing warm and snuggling up inside with a hot drink I just don't like winter. I hate being cold, being stuck inside does not agree with me (or Sadie!) and I would just much rather be at the beach.

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Hot Cross Buns

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Fruity, spicy delicious homemade hot cross buns! Step by step photos and instructions to help you make the perfect Easter buns this year!

Tray of hot cross buns with jar of jam and tea towel

This post was originally published in March 2016  – it has been retested, rephotographed and republished (to make it better for you!) in April 2019

It's nearly Easter! And guess how many Easter Eggs I've already eaten? Trick question. Actually none. Probably because we are still working our way through the mountain of Christmas chocolate we were given. Yes, we are thooooose people that can sit in a room with chocolate and not eat it. How? No idea, but the pull of the miniature Reese's Pieces Eggs is getting stronger. I give it til Wednesday. Until then, let's make my favourite Easter treat...hot cross buns!

Before we start I'd like to point out that making bread is a long process. The whole process from start to finish will take you about 3 hours, maybe longer if you dawdle...as I tend to do. But don't fret! This does include about 2 hours rising time so it's not all hands on.

The ingredient list also looks quite long, but it's all simple stuff. It may seem daunting, but I can assure you, it will be totally worth it. The smell of freshly baked hot cross buns is drool worthy, and they taste SO much better than the buns you get from the supermarket. Especially with a 4 day weekend coming up (YAY)...do it!!

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The Burrito Spice Ebook is here!

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E-book cover for Burrito Spice E-cookbook

Today is the launch of the first ever product on my site!

I've been working on this Burrito Spice Ebook for almost 6 months now and I'm so excited that it's ready!

Homemade Burrito Spice Mix was one of the first recipes I published on my blog and it's been the most popular since then. So of course it was a natural step to create a whole recipe book full of delicious recipes that all use it!

Here is what's in the book:

  1. Homemade Burrito Spice Mix
  2. 5 minute blender salsa
  3. Refried beans
  4. Queso Fundido (Mexican Cheese Dip)
  5. Guacamole
  6. Breakfast Burritos
  7. Nachos
  8. Mexican Chicken Soup
  9. Bean quesadillas
  10. Mexican rice
  11. Beef burritos
  12. Mexican lasagne
  13. Chicken fajitas
  14. Crispy chicken burritos
  15. Chicken burrito bowls
  16. Slow cooker chicken enchiladas
  17. Fish tacos
  18. Slow cooker Mexican pulled pork
  19. Pork tacos

Some of the recipes are already on the blog and have been reader favourites for a while, but most are brand new and you can only find them in the ebook.

For this week only (April 1st to April 8th 2019) you can get the book for only $9.99NZD which is a steal for how many amazing recipes are in there, so head over to the shop and grab a copy now!

I hope you enjoy the recipes as much as we do!

Click to purchase it here.

E-book cover for Burrito Spice E-cookbook

Mexican Chicken Soup

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This Mexican Chicken Soup is warm and comforting but is also filling enough for a main meal. Serve with corn chips, sour cream and salsa for the perfect Mexican meal!

Bowl of Mexican chicken soup topped with sour cream and cilantro on a grey background

My brand new e-book "The Burrito Spice Cookbook" is here! 18 Mexican inspired appetizers and mains that your whole family will love!

So, I never thought soup would be a dinner meal in our house and to be honest, when Josh saw soup on the menu, I genuinely think he might have been somewhat disappointed. And nervous.

But this recipe wouldn't be making it to the blog if he wasn't a fan and Mexican Chicken Soup was not only a winner that night, it's now part of our regular rotation!

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Summer 2018/19 Garden Update

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What worked in our garden this summer, what didn't and the plant varieties that we loved!

Outside garden in summer

We've had our last beach weekend for the summer so I'm now officially starting to try and get out of summer mode and embrace autumn. But it's HARD!! I am such a summer girl and the thought of winter approaching makes me kind of sad!

I've planned and planted some of our autumn/winter garden but I thought before I forget what we did over summer I would write it all down so that I remember for next year and also to share with you what worked well and what wasn't as successful!

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Vietnamese Beef Noodle Salad

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This Vietnamese beef noodle salad is packed full of flavour. It's easy to prepare, so colourful and is a delicious meal!

White bowl with beef noodle salad and chopsticks and limes in background

Usually we eat really simple, classic meals like spaghetti bolognese, cheesy mince pasta or ribs for dinner and my truck driving husband is the happiest man out. And then other days I make him strange exotic things like Vietnamese beef noodle salads. I like to keep him on his toes! Do you know what though? He still eats it and enjoys it and says all the right things. How lucky am I?! But you know he is so happy when we have sausages, mashed potatoes and peas the next night!

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Peach Iced Tea Recipe

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The perfect refreshing summer drink - my cold brew peach iced tea recipe! 5 minutes prep and just leave it to brew for a few hours.

2 glasses of peach iced tea with jug in background

Do you like iced tea? Until a few years ago it wasn't something I ever drank other than the occasional sugary flavoured bottle that you can buy from the supermarket.

But then we travelled to the Southern USA and iced tea was EVERYWHERE! Also, it was literally 100 degrees (Farenheit!) so when water wasn't cutting it, iced tea was the winner.

In the south they drink iced tea either sweetened or unsweetened. I'm usually an unsweetened girl when it comes to coffee and drinks but in this case, a mix of the two was perfect.

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Easy Refrigerator Pickles

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These easy refrigerator pickles only take 10 minutes to prepare and are crunchy, tangy and super delicious! Perfect on burgers, with hot dogs or just as a snack, they are a great way to use up gherkins and cucumbers from the garden!

Jars of refrigerator pickles on a grey background

Calling all pregnant ladies - today is your day! If you are a vinegary pickle craving mum-to-be like I am, you are going to go NUTS over these easy refrigerator pickles. I wasn't lying when I said I've been going through jars of these babies in the last few weeks.

But I've got a good system sorted now. Make 2 jars at a time. Eat one jar over a couple of days. Make another jar. Still have one jar left in the fridge with this one almost ready to go. It's a constant pickle cycle where no one goes without pickles.

Happy days!

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Homemade Bottled Spaghetti

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If you love canned spaghetti, you need to know how to make it at home. Here is our family recipe, with step by step photos and instructions!

4 jars of homemade bottled spaghetti on a grey background

Up until a few years ago, I had NO idea you could make your own bottled spaghetti. We were at Josh's parents house for breakfast and Carol bought a jug of spaghetti to the table. It looked like bought spaghetti but it certainly didn't taste like it - it was SO much better!

The following year I helped Carol make it and since then we have become obsessed with this homemade spaghetti - Sadie too! And because you guys are loving all the preserving recipes I've been sharing, I knew I had to write this one up too.

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An Exciting Announcement

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Guess what?

Sadie is as excited as we are (or so she thinks!) to tell you that she is going to be a big sister in August!

We are so over the moon to share our news, especially after our miscarriage in October. We feel so lucky that it has happened for us quickly as we know this is not the case for everyone.

I put off taking a test until I was already about 6 or 7 weeks as I was so nervous about both possible outcomes. Obviously, being pregnant was what we wanted but the fear of having another miscarriage was very real, and still is. I'm still not sure that I will be able to truly relax and enjoy this pregnancy until much closer to the end.

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Easy Zucchini Fritters with Feta

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Make the most of a glut of zucchini in your summer garden by making easy zucchini fritters! They take 10 minutes to mix together, 10 minutes to cook and they are the perfect lunch or snack!

Plate with zucchini fritters topped with sour cream and more fritters in the background

Hands up if you planted too many zucchini plants (again) and you are drowning in marrows? (Hi, yes that would be me!)

Well guess what - would you believe me if I told you we have been keeping on top of them, purely because we have been eating zucchini fritters for lunch every second day for the last few weeks! And we are not even sick of them yet!

This is the recipe to solve the "we have nothing to eat except zucchini and someone is coming for lunch" panic. It couldn't be more simple! Pantry staples plus grated zucchini and you are on your way to a cafe style lunch in no time.

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How to freeze green beans

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If your beans are going crazy in the garden this year let me show you the best (and easiest) way to preserve them for use all year long - here is a quick tutorial on how to freeze beans!

Pile of fresh green beans

Our beans have gone CRAZY this year! I grow them every year and it seems that every other year is a great year. We grow Scarlet runner beans which are actually perennials. You grow them one year, let them die back when they're done and they grow again when it's warm enough the next spring!

So this year is year 2 for our plants and they have done better than I hoped for. Considering that I also planted 16 bush beans to ensure we had a good supply of beans all winter, we have really been drowning in them! I think at last count I have frozen 3kg of beans which I am pretty excited about and the plants are still going strong!

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How to Bottle Plums (and other stone fruit)

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Bottling plums and stone fruit is the perfect way to preserve the summer harvest to enjoy all year round. If you are new to bottling fruit, here is an easy to follow, step by step tutorial on exactly how to do it!

Update September 2020: I now exclusively use the water bath method for canning/bottling everything as an extra layer of food safety. I will be updating instructions over the next few months to share how I do that. I have never had any problems bottling them this way but now prefer the water bath method in terms of ease and having a higher success rate with jars sealing. You can read all about water bath canning in this post. Laura

Sealed jars of bottled plums with bowl of plums in background

When I was a kid, bottling season was always a big deal in our house. My grandma would come and stay to help my mum bottle boxes and boxes of peaches, pears and more. On the other side of my family, my Granny also used to bottle a lot of fruit, especially plums.

Our wardrobes were always full of colourful bottles of fruit and I don't think a bought tin of peaches ever crossed the threshold to our house!

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Easy Potato Salad Recipe

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This classic potato salad recipe is perfect all year round. You can add any extras that you like and the homemade potato salad dressing is the best!

Overhead of bowl with potato salad, chives and tea towel in background

When I was at university and I had to take a salad to a BBQ, I would always take potato salad. I was soooo fancy back then - cook some spuds, chop them up and throw in a jar of potato salad dressing. Genius!

I'm happy to say things have changed a little bit since then. Not only are we making our own mayonnaise we are turning that into an epic homemade potato salad dressing that is being added to potatoes, bacon, peas and whatever else you like adding to your potato salad.

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How To Make Homemade Mayonnaise (in 2 minutes!)

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How To Make Homemade Mayonnaise in less than 2 minutes! You will never go back to buying it from the supermarket after you learn how to make it at home!

Jar of homemade mayo with eggs, salt and tea towel in background

I've gotta tell you, I have NO idea why it has taken me so long to try making homemade mayonnaise! Out of all the things I make from scratch, this is probably the easiest. I mean bread, ice cream and marshmallows are a piece of cake but for some reason mayonnaise seemed kind of intimidating.

Maybe it's because so many recipes tell you to slowly stream the oil into the mixer as you are making it and there just seem to be so many things that can go wrong.

Well not anymore! Add ingredients to a tall jar. Place the immersion blender in the bottom then turn it on, and slowly bring it up through the mixture. It will turn to thick creamy mayo in less than 1 minute - it really couldn't be more simple!

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Grilled Herb Lamb Chops

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Perfect for summer, these grilled garlic and herb coated lamb (or mutton) chops are fast and simple to prepare and cook!

Lamb chops covered in herb marinade in a grill pan

It's that great time of year where dinner involves a simple salad, new potatoes. maybe some corn on the cob and whatever meat you have taken out of the freezer thrown on the BBQ. I can eat like this every night in summer, especially when we are alternating between grilled zucchini and beans from the garden or freshly picked tomatoes and peppers!

This is another one of those "is it really a recipe?" recipes. It's more of a new way to cook something simple, which if you are anything like me is always welcome!

I asked on my instagram stories the other day how many of you buy your meat fresh from the supermarket. Most of you get meat from the farm which is awesome - we do too! Because of that, I'll be sharing more recipes and ideas for things like mince, sausages and chops - all the things that we end up with lots of when we get meat from the farm!

These herb coated lamb chops (feel free to use mutton if that's what you have, it's what we use!) are really just a new way to serve a pretty simple dinner.

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