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Aussies race to the kitchen as CorningWare prices soar

<p dir="ltr">For decades, CorningWare’s collections have been a staple of kitchen cupboards all across the country. </p> <p dir="ltr">And now, those family favourites have collectors everywhere reaching for those old casserole dishes, with prices skyrocketing online.</p> <p dir="ltr">The news may come as a surprise to some, given CorningWare’s US-based parent company Instant Brand’s announcement - just a few days prior - that it had initiated the process for voluntary court-appointed bankruptcy. The brand encompassed the likes of Instant Pot, Corelle, Pyrex, and CorningWare.</p> <p dir="ltr">Its products could be found on the shelves of major retailers all across the country, but with the rising challenge of inflation in the market and a reported $500 million USD in debt, Instant Brands had to make the difficult decision.</p> <p dir="ltr">And while some may have assumed things would go downhill from there, CorningWare items had other ideas, as people took to online marketplaces to list their old collections with never-before-seen price tags on the wares. </p> <p dir="ltr">When one seller listed their “Wildflower Spice of Life” casserole set on eBay, they asked for a staggering $25,000 - a price that topped the previous online auction high of $10,000. Another dish from the range was asking for much less, and still more than many would have bargained for - $13,000.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other dishes included more ‘rare’ designs from CorningWare’s previous collections, with its 1971-1972 “Floral” pieces making an appearance. A 5-piece L’Echaloto would given its next owners more than a few dishes to choose from, as long as they had another $25,000 to spare to get their hands on the set in the first place. </p> <p dir="ltr">And as one seller - who dipped her toes into the CorningWare online marketplace realm a few years prior - told 7News, the success of the dishes was certainly a surprise, though not a bad one. </p> <p dir="ltr">The items she’d managed to sell were off to a better life, too, as they’d just “been gathering dust in our home for years.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I sold off a few pieces - with my mum’s blessing, of course - and have made about $9000 so far,” she said. “I have another one listed at the moment, which I’m hoping to get around $2500 for.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I would never have thought that it could be so valuable. When I was younger, I thought it was just daggy. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Now it’s making us more money than I ever dreamed.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: eBay</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Howdy partners! It’s cowboy casserole time

<p dir="ltr">Similar to cottage pie, but with a little extra helping of decadence, you’re going to swap out the traditional mash for potato gems with melted tasty cheese on top. Serve it with sour cream, guacamole and hot sauce and you’ve got yourself a comfort meal fit for any cowboy. Yeehaw!</p> <h2 dir="ltr">Ingredients</h2> <p dir="ltr">2 brown onions, very finely sliced</p> <p dir="ltr">2 sticks celery, finely diced</p> <p dir="ltr">2 carrots, finely diced</p> <p dir="ltr">6 cloves garlic, minced</p> <p dir="ltr">1 bunch thyme, very finely chopped</p> <p dir="ltr">⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil</p> <p dir="ltr">2 tsp ground cumin</p> <p dir="ltr">2 tsp smoked paprika</p> <p dir="ltr">1 tsp ground coriander</p> <p dir="ltr">500g beef mince</p> <p dir="ltr">2 Tbsp tomato paste</p> <p dir="ltr">2 x 400g cans diced tomatoes</p> <p dir="ltr">Sea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season</p> <p dir="ltr">400g can kidney beans, drained 
and rinsed</p> <p dir="ltr">400g can corn kernels, drained 
and rinsed</p> <p dir="ltr">700g potato gems</p> <p dir="ltr">1½ cups grated tasty cheese</p> <p dir="ltr">Coriander sprigs, sour cream, hot sauce and guacamole, to serve</p> <h2 dir="ltr">Method</h2> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-325b6802-7fff-cbce-b2c5-0d8977d1ad35"></span></p> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Preheat oven to 180°C fan-forced (200°C conventional). Cook onion, celery, carrot, garlic and chopped thyme in 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large deep frying pan over medium heat for 5 minutes, until well softened. Mix in cumin, paprika and ground coriander, then transfer to a bowl.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Add remaining oil to the same pan and cook beef mince for 5 minutes, until browned. Mix in cooked vegetables, tomato paste and diced tomatoes. Season, then simmer for 20 minutes, until thickened. Stir in beans and corn. Transfer to a 2.5L baking dish.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Top mince and vegetable mixture with potato gems in a single layer, then bake for 20 minutes. Scatter with tasty cheese, then bake for a further 5-10 minutes until cheese is melted and golden. Garnish casserole with coriander sprigs, and serve with sour cream, hot sauce and guacamole on the side.</p> </li> </ol> <p><em>Image: Better Homes &amp; Gardens</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Lamb kleftiko

<p>Lamb kleftiko is a delicious Greek casserole. It's a great change from your usual meat stew. The flavours are simple but delicious and the slow-cooked lamb will melt in your mouth.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>700g lamb, diced (I use leg chops when they're on special; lamb shoulder also works well but is a lot fattier)</li> <li>2 garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped</li> <li>4 medium tomatoes, diced</li> <li>1 onion, sliced</li> <li>2 carrots, diced</li> <li>1 lemon, juiced</li> <li>1/2 tsp cinnamon</li> <li>Handful fresh oregano, finely chopped (or 1 tsp dried oregano)</li> <li>250ml chicken stock</li> <li>Salt and pepper, to taste</li> <li>Feta cheese, crumbled, for serving</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Place all ingredients except the feta in a slow cooker. If you're using a slow cooker, cook for 8 hours on low or at least 4 hours on high. Alternatively, put the ingredients into a casserole dish and cook in the oven for 2 1/2 hours at 160C.</li> <li>Sprinkle with the crumbled feta and a little more oregano and serve.</li> <li>Serve with roast potatoes, sprinkled with the rind from the lemon.</li> </ol> <p><em>Written by Emma Robertson. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz.</span></strong></a></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2017/01/lamb-koftas/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Lamb koftas</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2017/01/indian-spiced-lamb-yellow-rice-date-yoghurt/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Indian-spiced lamb with yellow rice and date yoghurt</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/11/classic-southern-lamb-casserole/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Classic southern lamb casserole</strong></em></span></a></p>

Food & Wine

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Tuna casserole

<p>This American classic is a great cold-weather family meal. Petite peas add a touch of sweetness to this rich, hearty dish.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients: </span></strong></p> <ul> <li>220g ounces uncooked elbow macaroni</li> <li>140g white tuna in water, drained</li> <li>⅓ cup finely chopped red onion</li> <li>110g reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded</li> <li>¼ cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese</li> <li>1 cup frozen petite green peas</li> <li>½ cup Japanese breadcrumbs</li> <li>2 tablespoons unsalted butter</li> <li>¼ cup all-purpose flour</li> <li>½ cups reduced-fat milk</li> <li>½ teaspoon salt</li> <li>¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper</li> <li>tablespoons canola oil</li> <li>Cooking spray</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 190°C. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat and the drain.</li> <li>Heat oil and butter in a cooking pot over medium-high heat until butter melts. Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes.</li> <li>Reduce heat to medium. Sprinkle flour over onion mixture, stirring until blended.</li> <li>Cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes. Gradually stir in milk.</li> <li>Bring to a simmer before stirring in cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper.</li> <li>Cook for 1 minute or just until the cheese melts. Now, stir in your peas and tuna.</li> <li>Add the pasta, tossing in the mixture to coat. Pour pasta mixture into an 11 x 7-inch glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray.</li> <li>Sprinkle with panko and Parmesan cheese.</li> <li>Bake at 190°C for 20 minutes or until golden.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/05/macaroni-bake/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Macaroni bake</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/04/tuna-carpaccio/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tuna carpaccio</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/04/tuna-persimmon-and-beetroot-salad/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tuna, persimmon and beetroot salad</span></strong></em></a></p>

Food & Wine

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Cheesy chicken and potato casserole

<p>This cheesy, delicious mess of potatoes and chicken is so delicious that we wish you good luck getting seconds.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Ingredients:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li>0.5kg chicken breast, cubed</li> <li>8 medium sized red potatoes, cubed, skin on</li> <li>⅓ cup of olive oil</li> <li>1 teaspoon of salt</li> <li>½ teaspoon of black pepper</li> <li>1 tablespoon of paprika</li> <li>2 tablespoons of hot sauce (your choice)</li> <li>2 tablespoons of garlic powder or fresh garlic, chopped</li> <li>2 cups of Mexican blend cheese</li> <li>1 cup of crumbled bacon</li> <li>1 cup of green onion, diced</li> </ul> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Method:</strong></span></p> <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 200°C and spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.</li> <li>Mix together olive oil, salt and pepper, paprika, garlic powder, hot sauce, chicken, and potatoes in a large bowl. Stir. </li> <li>Pour contents into baking dish.</li> <li>Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, stirring two to three times throughout. Casserole should be browned on top.</li> <li>Remove from oven and sprinkle cheese, bacon and green onion over top. </li> <li>Bake for another five minutes. Let cool, serve.</li> </ol> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/06/baked-spinach-and-cheese/">Baked spinach and cheese</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/07/hasselback-potatoes/">Roasted hasselback potatoes</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/07/spiced-cauliflower/">Spiced cauliflower</a></strong></span></em></p>

Food & Wine

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