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“Putrid cookers”: Anti-vaxxers slammed for spreading lies about Jock Zonfrillo’s death

<p dir="ltr">Just hours after MasterChef judge Jock Zonfrillo’s sudden death, heartless anti-vaxxers took to social media to spread disinformation.</p> <p dir="ltr">Zonfrillo died in Melbourne on May 1. While the cause of death has not been publicly announced, police said that his death was not being treated as suspicious, and a report was made for the coroner.</p> <p dir="ltr">The anti-vaxxers took this as a chance to spread disinformation online, implying that his death was linked to the Covid vaccine.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Did Jock Zonfrillo get the Pfizer or Moderna RNA vaccine?” one person tweeted the day after his death.</p> <p dir="ltr">Another commented on the way that his death was described as “sudden” with no confirmed cause- completely ignoring the fact that Zonfrillo’s family have not released that information.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The mainstream media has been reporting countless such ‘sudden deaths’ with ‘no cause of death given’,” wrote the anti-vaxxer on Facebook on May 2.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Since when are death reports being provided with no cause given?</p> <p dir="ltr">“I know since when: since they rolled out those experimental Covid vaccines, which are dropping people faster than they can clue in that it is murdering them. The mainstream media and medical establishment will never admit it – they omit the REAL reason someone died by saying ‘no immediate cause of death was given’,” wrote another.</p> <p dir="ltr">The ill-informed comments have attracted significant backlash from Aussies who slammed the “cookers” for taking advantage of the tragedy to spread disinformation.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Of course the putrid cookers have already come out, saying it was the Covid vaccine that killed Jock Zonfrillo. They really are opportunistic scum. RIP Jock,” one person tweeted in response to the lies.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Of course the putrid cookers have already come out, saying it was the covid vaccine that killed Jock Zonfrillo. <br />They really are opportunistic scum.<br />RIP Jock. <a href="https://t.co/t7jxe9QX1P">pic.twitter.com/t7jxe9QX1P</a></p> <p>— JayJay (@JayJay91341991) <a href="https://twitter.com/JayJay91341991/status/1653215630768865281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I’m always unsurprised at the amount of cookers that come out of the woodwork when a celebrity dies. Shame on anyone who is using Jock Zonfrillo’s death to push their anti-vax vile rhetoric,” tweeted another.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I’m always unsurprised at the amount of cookers that come out of the woodwork when a celebrity dies. Shame on anyone who is using Jock Zonfrillo’s death to push their anti-vax vile rhetoric.</p> <p>— MrDreeps (@MrDreepy) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrDreepy/status/1652947746419281921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Distance yourself from people who impulsively attribute the death of a celebrity to the Covid-19 Vaccine.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It demonstrates extreme congruence bias, and a profound lack of empathy. #jockzonfrillo,” wrote a third.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Distance yourself from people who impulsively attribute the death of a celebrity to the Covid-19 Vaccine. </p> <p>It demonstrates extreme congruence bias, and a profound lack of empathy. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/jockzonfrillo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#jockzonfrillo</a></p> <p>— Nick Holt (@realnickholt) <a href="https://twitter.com/realnickholt/status/1652919969926254592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p dir="ltr"> </p>

News

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7 things you didn’t know your rice cooker could do

<p>You’d be forgiven for thinking that the humble rice cooker is a one trick pony. After all, the name implies that it performs a highly specific function with no mention of anything else. Interestingly, though, the rice cooker can be used for a whole range of culinary tasks far above and beyond booking your long grain. Here are seven of our favourite dishes to cook in the rice cooker.</p> <ol> <li><strong>Frittata</strong> – Perfect frittata by simply switching to the cook setting, heat olive oil, add veggies followed by beaten eggs, cover and reset to let the cycle run through.</li> <li><strong>Macaroni and cheese</strong> – Super simple with minimal mess. Add all the ingredients and set to cook. Perfect mac and cheese with no washing up!</li> <li><strong>Rice pudding</strong> – Cook in the same way you’d usually cook your rice, just make sure to stir every 15 minutes or so.</li> <li><strong>Cheesecake and banana bread</strong> – Prepare your recipe as you usually would and then pour the batter into the lined rice cooker insert.</li> <li><strong>Porridge</strong> – Wake up to perfect porridge every time! Presoak steel cut oats overnight in the rice cooker then run the cook cycle in the morning for creamy, delicious porridge.</li> <li><strong>Quinoa</strong> – If you fancy jumping on the quinoa train, try cooking it in your rice cooker. It cooks at the same rate as long grain white rice so makes the perfect substitute that doesn’t require any fiddly programming changes.</li> <li><strong>Polenta</strong> – Create creamy polenta by adding one cup of polenta to three cups of liquid and set to cook. Add cheese or butter at the end and you’re done.</li> </ol> <p>Have you ever used your rice cooker to cook something other than rice? Share your experience with us in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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5 common mistakes when using your slow cooker

<p>If you’re a regular user of your slow-cooker, then you’ll know just how handy these appliances are. There’s nothing like throwing some ingredients into the bowl and flicking the ‘ON’ switch of a morning then coming home to a delicious meal a few hours later. To get the best out of your machine avoid making these common mistakes.</p> <p><strong>1. Don’t add raw meat to the slow cooker</strong></p> <p>To get the best flavour from your cut of meat it’s best to brown it first. Meat that’s been quickly seared on the stovetop has a delicious depth of flavour that you just can’t achieve in the crockpot alone.</p> <p><strong>2. Don’t use expensive prime cuts of meat</strong></p> <p>While there aren’t hard and fast rules when it comes to what you put in your slow cooker it’s an appliance designed to get the most out of cheaper, tougher cuts of meat. Long, slow cooking only dries out leaner varieties leaving them rubbery and tasteless. Leave the chicken breast and eye fillet to the oven or stove and try thigh meat and cuts like beef and pork shoulder, leg and cheek.</p> <p><strong>3. Don’t open the lid during cooking</strong></p> <p>It’s tempting, we know, but opening the lid breaks the seal and allows precious heat to escape. Every time you remove the lid, the slow cooker loses heat and it can take a while to build back up again.</p> <p><strong>4. Don’t add too much wine</strong></p> <p>While some recipes call for alcohol to be added, it’s important to check just how much they recommend. Unlike cooking on the stovetop, wine and other liquors don’t boil down and reduce in a slow cooker which can mean a harsh, ‘alcoholic’ flavour. An easy way to use wine and other alcohol in slow cooking is by using it to deglaze the pan you sear the meat in.</p> <p><strong>5. Don’t add dairy products too soon</strong></p> <p>Adding things like milk, sour cream, cream or yoghurt at the beginning of cooking will cause them to curdle. Wait until the very end of cooking to add anything creamy.</p> <p>What’s your favourite slow cooker recipe? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/07/5-foods-you-should-not-store-in-the-fridge/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 foods you shouldn’t store in the fridge</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/07/food-scraps-you-should-be-eating/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The food scraps you should be eating</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/07/how-to-clean-an-oven-with-a-natural-cleaner/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to clean an oven with a natural cleaner</span></em></strong></a></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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Top tips for delicious winter meals using a slow cooker

<p>It’s now mid-winter so there’s no better way of warming yourself up than with a delicious, slow-cooked meal. Here are our five top tips for creating delicious meals with a slow cooker. </p> <p>With a high number of people in lockdown across the country, there’s probably never been a better time to start learning new slow cooker recipes to make warming, winter meals.</p> <p>Bettina Jenkins, Culinary Expert at <a href="https://www.appliancesonline.com.au/">Appliances Online</a>, has shared her top five tips for making slow cookers a part of your everyday cooking experience.</p> <p><strong>Top slow cooker tips from Bettina Jenkins, Appliances Online Culinary Expert</strong></p> <p>“Imagine getting home from work and your dinner is ready? Gently simmering, all day, tenderising those inexpensive cuts of meat and turning them into melt in the mouth morsels - that's slow cooking for you! If you’re time poor in the morning, try the night-before technique - throw everything in the slow cooker the night before, pop it in the fridge, then start cooking it all the next morning and dinner will be ready later on in the day!</p> <p><strong>Tip No. 1) You don't have to use expensive meats for slow cooking to produce quality culinary results. </strong>You can use inexpensive cuts of meat and because they’re slowly simmering all day, this turns them into melt-in-your-mouth morsels - that's slow cooking for you<strong>!</strong></p> <p><strong>Tip No. 2) You can cook just about anything in a slow cooker. </strong>Slow cookers are so versatile, that you can cook soups, casseroles, lasagna, desserts and even cakes and yoghurt! You’ll love the results from these time and energy saving appliances!</p> <p><strong>Tip No. 3) Try the night-before technique. I</strong>f you have other things to do in the morning, throw everything in the slow cooker the night before, pop it in the fridge, then start cooking when you get up and dinner will be ready later on.</p> <p><strong>Tip No. 4) Try overnight oats. </strong>You can cook oats, milk, sultanas and grated apple and carrots - cook on low for 8 hours and wake up to a warm and nourishing breakfast! </p> <p><strong>Tip No. 5) Cleaning is a breeze too!</strong>  Just one removable pot at the end of the night – simply give it a quick clean or pop it in the dishwasher!</p> <p><strong>As well, Bettina gave us a list of five slow cookers suitable for all different budgets: </strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.appliancesonline.com.au/product/tefal-rk732-18l-easy-rice-slow-cooker?sli_sku_jump=1"><strong>Tefal RK732 1.8L Easy Rice &amp; Slow Cooker</strong></a><strong>- RRP $130</strong></li> <li><a href="https://www.appliancesonline.com.au/product/breville-lsc650bss-searing-slow-cooker?sli_sku_jump=1"><strong>Breville LSC650BSS the Searing 6L Slow Cooker</strong></a><strong>- RRP $219</strong></li> <li><a href="https://www.appliancesonline.com.au/product/westinghouse-3-x-25l-slow-cooker-whsc07ks?sli_sku_jump=1"><strong>Westinghouse 3 x 2.5L Slow Cooker WHSC07KS</strong></a><strong>- RRP $149.95</strong></li> <li><a href="https://www.appliancesonline.com.au/product/kitchenaid-artisan-slow-cooker-92395?sli_sku_jump=1"><strong>KitchenAid 5KSC6222ASS Artisan 5.7L Slow Cooker</strong></a><strong>RRP $259</strong></li> <li><a href="https://www.appliancesonline.com.au/product/crock-pot-chp600-choose-a-crock-one-pot-slow-cooker?sli_sku_jump=1"><strong>Crock-Pot CHP600 Choose-a-Crock One Pot Slow Cooker</strong></a><strong>- RRP $129</strong></li> </ul> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Slow-cooked meat pie hack dubbed a "game-changer"

<p>A fan of a slow cooker has surprised others by using it to cook a meat pie, potatoes and mushy peas.</p> <p>Home cook Alison came up with the idea after seeing a similar meal online and posted it to the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/slowcookedwonders" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Wonders</a><span> </span>Facebook group.</p> <p>"Husband's dinner tonight, hope it works!" she wrote.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842268/slow-cooker-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7f3bbd4791454a5faa4d29fa4ff8fd04" /></p> <div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Many were fascinated by the idea.</p> <p>“I hope this comes out good, it’ll revolutionise teatime,” said one.</p> <p>“I need to know too, please, would be a game changer for me.”</p> <p>Others were surprised by the backlash, as group members were quick to criticise.</p> <p>“Those mushy peas (are) definitely going to run all over the pie lid and potatoes! Good idea if it works, but I would definitely put a few air holes in that pie lid or it might explode,” one group member pointed out.</p> <p>“Why can’t people just be kind? She’s cooking, it’s her husband. Are you eating it? No, her husband is. What’s wrong with experimenting and trying things? Jeez, get a grip,” said one.</p> <p>“The peas will soggy it all and potatoes won’t cook. Intrigued.”</p> <p>Alison did not mention how the meal went or whether her husband enjoyed it.</p> <p><em>Photo credits: Facebook</em></p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Food & Wine

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Devour some rich brisket ragù

<p>When I lived in Texas I fell in love with beef brisket, and couldn’t understand why this delicious cut of meat wasn’t more popular in Australia. I put it down to people not knowing what to do with it. Because of all the thick connective tissue it has to be cooked very low and very slow, otherwise it is as tough as old boots. Cooked correctly, it simply melts in your mouth.</p> <p>You need to get started on this recipe well ahead of time, but the upside is that it makes a huge amount and tastes even better the next day. Serve it with fresh pasta for the most amazing meal of your life. (Big call, but my good friend Poppy made it!)</p> <p><strong>Note:</strong><span> </span>This recipe uses a thermo cooker.</p> <p><strong>Serves:</strong> 10</p> <p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p> <ul> <li>2kg boneless beef brisket</li> <li>30g macadamia oil</li> <li>6 sprigs fresh rosemary</li> <li>2 brown onions, peeled and halved</li> <li>4 garlic cloves, peeled</li> <li>700g tomato passata</li> <li>400g can diced tomatoes</li> <li>250g red wine</li> <li>60g stock concentrate</li> <li>50g balsamic vinegar</li> <li>20g Dijon mustard</li> <li>20g brown sugar</li> <li>100g rocket</li> <li>100g pecorino or parmesan, shaved (optional)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Directions</strong></p> <ol> <li>Preheat oven to 200°C.</li> <li>Place meat flat in a large casserole dish, fatty side up. Choose a dish that fits the meat snugly, but still allows it to lie completely flat. Rub meat with 10g macadamia oil and scatter with rosemary sprigs. Roast for 30 minutes, uncovered.</li> <li>Meanwhile, place onion and garlic in thermo cooker bowl, chop for 5 seconds, speed 5. Scrape down sides.</li> <li>Add remaining 20g macadamia oil, sauté for 6 minutes, 100°C, speed 1.</li> <li>Add passata, tomatoes, red wine, stock concentrate, vinegar, mustard and sugar. Mix for 5 seconds, speed 4.</li> <li>Cook for 10 minutes, 100°C, speed 1.</li> <li>Remove meat from oven and pour over the tomato mixture, ensuring meat is submerged as much as possible. Cover with a tight-fitting lid or foil. Reduce temperature to 140°C and roast for 4 hours.</li> <li>Remove lid or foil and cook, uncovered, for a further 1 hour, or until sauce is thick and reduced and meat pulls apart easily.</li> <li>Remove meat from oven and set aside to rest for 30 minutes. Shred meat using two forks and stir through pan juices.</li> <li>Serve ragù with fresh pasta, polenta or mashed potato. Top with rocket and cheese.</li> </ol> <p><em>Recipe extracted from Everyday Thermo Cooking by Alyce Alexandra, published by Penguin Random House, RRP $39.99. Available in all good bookstores and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/everyday-thermo-cooking-9780143784456" target="_blank">online</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image credit: Loryn Babauskis.</em></p> <p><em>Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/rich-brisket-ragu.aspx">Wyza.com.au</a></em></p>

Food & Wine

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“It’s a pressure cooker”: The real reason behind Joh Grigg’s surprise exit from House Rules

<p><em>House Rules</em><span> </span>host Joh Griggs surprised Australians all over when she announced a shock resignation, and now a previous winner of the reality TV program has weighed in on the star’s controversial departure. </p> <p>Aaron, winner of Season five<span> </span><em>House Rules<span> </span></em>in 2017 told<a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/reality-tv/house-rules/house-rules-aaron-johanna-griggs-57605"><span> </span><em>Now to Love<span> </span></em></a>on Tuesday their experience was an “eye-opener.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BstjcscgTx6/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BstjcscgTx6/" target="_blank">A post shared by Aaron &amp; Daniella (@aarondaniella.hr)</a> on Jan 16, 2019 at 2:13pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“It's a pressure cooker environment,” he added, however noted the way people coped with the intense stress on set came down to every individual’s mindset. </p> <p>“You are who you are and if you're a nasty person, you're still going to be a nasty person if you're stressed or not,” he said.</p> <p>Aaron said Joh would have had “a much better insight” then he did on what went on behind the scenes since she was host of the show. </p> <p>He also alluded to the controversy surrounding Channel 7 producers allegedly pushing contestants to stir up drama - a factor Joh reportedly didn’t agree with which was what led to her shocking exit. </p> <p>“Anything that Johanna Griggs says, I'll one hundred percent respect it and take her word on it,” he said before adding anything said wouldn’t alter his opinion as he “absolutely loved the experience” and would “do it again tomorrow.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx6EA4Ggo7I/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx6EA4Ggo7I/" target="_blank">A post shared by Johanna Griggs (@johgriggs7)</a> on May 25, 2019 at 6:25pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The Aussie TV presenter and Commonwealth Games swimmer hosted House Rules for seven long years before deciding to announce her swift exit on July 24 - just one day after the season finale aired to viewers. </p> <p>“As the show goes into pre-production for the next season, it’s the perfect time to hand over the role to someone who will take the show into S8,” she wrote on her Instagram.</p> <p>Channel 7 have yet to announce a replacement for Joh.</p>

TV

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“I don’t have one of those!”: Kmart slow cooker fine print reveals hilarious X-rated typo

<p>In a world of social media, something that potentially could’ve gone unnoticed can be immediately shared with thousands around the globe.</p> <p>And that is exactly what happened to homewares giant Kmart as an Australian woman discovered an X-rated typo on her slow cooker purchased from the discount department store.</p> <p>The Newcastle shopper shared the mistake in a Facebook group called Kmart Hacks and Décor and asked the members to point out the unfortunate mistake.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsandie.swain%2Fposts%2F10156235421561594&amp;width=500" width="500" height="620" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>The woman shared the appliance’s warning instructions that say “c**k only in this container instead of “cook”.</p> <p>The post garnered a large reaction and many members of the group shared their puns.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">"It's a C*ckpot," one person joked. </p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">"What a c*ck up," another commented. </p> <p>“That is hilarious. Just checked mine, says the same thing too. Can’t wait to give the other half the instructions!!!” the woman said.</p> <p>“Does this mean the meat will fall off the bone(r)?” another joked, adding to the long list of puns.</p> <p>Kmart was quick to address the incident in a statement to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7335503/Newcastle-mum-shocked-finding-X-rated-typo-slower-cooker.html" target="_blank"><em>The Daily Mail Australia</em></a> saying that they were sorry for the mistake.</p> <p>“We sincerely apologise for this error and the team have ensured this does not occur on future ranges,” the discount department store said. </p>

Home & Garden

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How to get the most from your thermo cooker

<p><strong><em>Alyce Alexandra is Australia’s thermo cooking queen and the author of seven bestselling thermo cookbooks. Her latest, Everyday Thermo Cooking, has just been published by Penguin Random House. She shares her top tips on getting the most from your thermo cooker.</em></strong></p> <p>Without a doubt, thermo cookers make life in the kitchen quicker, easier, and much more enjoyable. However, like so many new technologies, without the know-how, your thermo cooker may end up being nothing more than a glorified dust-catcher. If you aren’t using your thermo cooker at least once a day, you need to rethink your strategy — not only is this a financial waste but a wasted opportunity.</p> <p>These are my top tips for getting the most out of your thermo cooker.</p> <p><strong>It doesn’t do everything, but it can help with everything</strong></p> <p>Many users fail by trying to do everything in the Thermomix, inadvertently making life more difficult. While it is a truly amazing machine, sometimes doing things the old-fashioned way is actually quicker; you don’t need to worry about lining steaming trays with baking paper to steam your scrambled eggs, just get out the frying pan.</p> <p>Conversely, people massively underrate the thermo cooker’s ability to help with everything — like a second set of hands in the kitchen. You might be making a traditional slow-cooked curry, but how about using the thermo cooker to chop your onions, garlic cloves, chilli, and ginger? The thermo cooker will have it done in five seconds flat, saving you a whole lot of time — and tears.</p> <p>And if you need to crush spices and nuts, you’ll really love your thermo cooker’s help. Just because you aren’t using it to cook the whole dish, doesn’t mean it can’t make the process a lot easier. That mortar and pestle can go straight to the charity shop!</p> <p><strong>Cook like your grandma … with a fancy new gadget</strong></p> <p>We’ve left all those "old-fashioned" techniques like preserving and bread-making to the experts, but they are actually very easy with a thermo cooker. When it comes to jams, chutneys, and relishes, the thermo cooker holds the temperature steady and lovingly stirs, while you have a shower, clean the house, enjoy a glass of wine — you get the picture.</p> <p>The messiest and most labour-intensive part of bread-making is the kneading, and the thermo cooker will have this done in two minutes flat. Not only will cooking more from scratch save you money, it gives you greater control over what you’re eating (and it’ll probably taste a whole lot better, too). Now that you’re thermo cooking, don’t be afraid to get back to basics.</p> <p><strong>Look at your pantry differently — it just got a whole lot bigger</strong></p> <p>There are so many ingredients you already have in the pantry that can be transformed by your thermo cooker — take a closer look before heading to the supermarket.</p> <p>Got white sugar? In five seconds, you can have caster sugar — and in about a minute, you’ll have icing sugar. Got almonds? You’ve got almond meal. Rock salt? There’s your fine salt. A well-stocked pantry is essential for quick and easy home cooking, but you’ll find you don’t need to stock as many different ingredients, as you can easily whip them up on demand.</p> <p><strong>Get the right recipes, and let the experts make the mistakes</strong></p> <p>You likely already have a repertoire of favourite family recipes, but you’ll need to start from scratch when you’re thermo cooking. Until you’re confident enough to begin adapting your old collection, it’s best to use recipes developed specifically for a thermo cooker and let someone else (like me!) do the trialling and testing.</p> <p>Thermo cooking methods often require less liquid than conventional cooking and can operate using backwards steps. The blades are also deceivingly powerful — I once watched my dad make cucumber soup instead of cucumber salad!</p> <p>In the kitchen, there’s nothing more disheartening than a disaster dish, so stick to trusted sources when it comes to recipes, and build up your confidence and skills.</p> <p><em>Written by Alyce Alexandra. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/lifestyle/food-and-wine/how-to-hack-your-thermo-cooker.aspx">Wyza</a>. </em></p>

Food & Wine

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10 tips for getting the most out of your slow cooker

<p>A slow cooker can be a huge timesaver in the kitchen. Here's how to get the most out of yours.</p> <p><strong>1. Prep ahead of time</strong></p> <p>One of the best things about a slow cooker is how much time it saves you – just throw everything in and forget it! But that’s no good if you’re rushing around in the morning trying to prep your meal. Instead, get everything ready the night before, put it in the cooker’s dish and store in the fridge overnight. Then, in the morning, just plug in and go.</p> <p><strong>2. Choose the right cut</strong></p> <p>Super slow cooking can make cheaper cuts of meat (like chuck roast, lamb shanks, pork shoulders and chicken thighs) become mouth-wateringly tender. There’s actually no point spending money on high quality, lean meat as it can tend to dry out.</p> <p><strong>3. Take the time to brown</strong></p> <p>You can certainly put all the ingredients straight in the cooker and leave them be, but there’s a way to make it even tastier. Take the extra time to brown your meat and vegetables in a pan for a few minutes before adding them to the slow cooker. This will give you a deeper, caramelised flavour that’s worth the extra time.</p> <p><strong>4. Slow is best</strong></p> <p>All slow cookers will have a range of temperature settings. If you have the time, always choose the lowest one. A slow, gentle heat will bring out the most flavour in your dishes and keep in all those tasty liquids. Good things take time, so don’t rush it.</p> <p><strong>5. Don’t overfill it</strong></p> <p>Cramming your slow cooker full to the brim will only result in undercooked or burnt dishes. You need to leave some room for things to get simmering – instructions will vary be brand, but two thirds full is generally a good rule of thumb.</p> <p><strong>6. Go easy on the wine</strong></p> <p>We mean in the cooker, not in your glass. Because the dish is sealed there’s very little evaporation, meaning the alcohol in the wine can't be burnt off. A little splash will be all you need.</p> <p><strong>7. Add dairy at the end</strong></p> <p>Things like cream, yoghurt and milk can curdle or split with too much cooking, so hold off until the very end before adding them in. The last 15 minutes of cooking time is usually enough, so stir them gently through the mostly-cooked meal.</p> <p><strong>8. Be careful with the dish</strong></p> <p>The ceramic insert of the slow cooker is surprisingly delicate so you should avoid exposing it to extremes of temperatures. Don’t put a cold dish from the fridge straight on to cook or run a hot dish under really cold water. Leave it to reach room temperature first.</p> <p><strong>9. Finish with something fresh</strong></p> <p>Slow cookers specialise in thick, rich, saucy numbers with tons of flavour packed into them. Sometimes this can get a little intense, so the best way to give your dish some flair is to throw in something fresh right before you serve. A little lemon juice, fresh herbs, grated Parmesan or hot sauce can make all the difference.</p> <p><strong>10. Don’t touch it!</strong></p> <p>It can be very tempting to open the lid and take a peek at your dish. Stop! Every time you open the lid you release the heat, so it will take longer to cook over all.</p> <p>What are your tips for using a slow cooker? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Home & Garden

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Slow-cooked spaghetti bolognese

<p>A clever take on a family classic, this slow cooked spaghetti bolognese has a melt-in-the-mouth goodness that really hits the spot in the cooler months.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span> </strong>4 to 6</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>2 tablespoon vegetable oil</li> <li>400g beef mince</li> <li>1 teaspoon mineral salt</li> <li>½ teaspoon cracked black pepper</li> <li>2 tablespoon olive oil</li> <li>1 small onion, finely diced</li> <li>1 carrot, finely diced</li> <li>1 stick celery, finely diced</li> <li>1 tan roughly chopped oregano</li> <li>2 cloves garlic</li> <li>400g can organic chopped tomatoes</li> <li>2 tablespoon tamari or 1 tablespoon soy sauce</li> <li>1 teaspoon brown sugar</li> <li>300g dried pasta</li> <li>75g parmesan, grated</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Heat the oil in a large frying pan and brown the mince in batches, sprinkling with salt and pepper as you go.</li> <li>Remove and set aside.</li> <li>Heat the olive oil in the same frying pan and gently saute the onion, carrot, celery, oregano and garlic for five minutes.</li> <li>Add the tomatoes, tamari and brown sugar with the mince.</li> <li>Add to the slow cooker and cook on low for six hours.</li> <li>Serve with spaghetti, cheese, fresh herbs, and olives if desired.</li> </ol> <p>Don’t you just love spaghetti bolognese? What’s your favourite winter dish? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Written by Laura Faire. First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><em><strong>Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 178 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</span></a>.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/07/slow-cooker-creamy-chicken-pasta/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Slow cooker creamy chicken pasta</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/06/bolognaise-style-mushroom-ragu/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Bolognaise-style mushroom ragu</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/05/sundried-tomato-and-parmesan-dip/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Chunky sundried tomato and parmesan dip</strong></em></span></a></p>

Food & Wine

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Slow-cooked panang chicken curry

<p>This slow cooked variation on a classic panang curry does take a little more time to put together, but when you taste you’ll agree it’s worth the effort. </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span></strong> 4</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>1 teaspoon peanut oil</li> <li> 600g chicken thigh fillets</li> <li> 1 brown onion, cut into thin wedges</li> <li> 2 carrots, sliced</li> <li> 2 tablespoons panang curry paste</li> <li> 270ml can coconut milk</li> <li> 1 cup chicken stock</li> <li> 4 kaffir lime leaves, torn</li> <li> 1 tablespoon brown sugar</li> <li> 1 tablespoon fish sauce</li> <li> ¼ cup roughly chopped roasted peanuts</li> <li> Fresh coriander leaves, steamed rice and green beans, to serve</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>To begin, heat oil over a medium-high heat in a large non-stick frypan.</li> <li>Add your chicken and cook for a couple of minutes on either side, until browned.</li> <li>Transfer to the bowl of a slow cooker (ideally around five litre capacity).</li> <li>Reduce fry pan heat to a medium and add your onion and carrot.</li> <li>Cook, stirring, for about five minutes until the onion and carrot have softened.</li> <li>Add curry paste and cook, stirring constantly, for an additional minute.</li> <li>Add coconut milk, stock, lime leaves, brown sugar and fish sauce.</li> <li>Stir to combine, then pour the curry over the chicken in slow cooker.</li> <li>Cover with the flow cooker lid and cook on a low heat for about four hours.</li> <li>The chicken should be nice and tender, so sprinkle with peanuts and coriander leaves before serving with steamed rice and beans.</li> </ol> <p>What a delicious sounding curry! What’s your number one favourite curry to try? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you!</p> <p><strong><em>Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, The Way Mum Made It, yet? Featuring 178 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</span></a>.</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/05/thai-sweet-potato-soup/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Thai sweet potato soup</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/05/spicy-beef-curry-with-cauliflower-rice/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Spicy beef curry with cauliflower rice</em></strong></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/04/potato-and-pea-curry/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Potato and pea curry</strong></em></span></a></p>

Food & Wine

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Slow cooker creamy chicken pasta

<p>This would have to be one of my favourite homemade meals, and it’s all done in one pot. With chicken, vegies, pasta and bacon, you know it’s going to be a hit with your family!</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span></strong> 4-6</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>1 kg chicken thigh fillets, cut into strips</li> <li>1 onion, sliced</li> <li>1 tbsp. crushed garlic</li> <li>150g diced bacon</li> <li>1 cup sliced spring onions</li> <li>1 tomato, diced</li> <li>½ tsp. paprika</li> <li>¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper</li> <li>200g thin spaghetti</li> <li>1 cup cooking cream</li> <li>50g butter</li> <li>250g broccoli florets</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Heat a little oil in the searing insert of a slow cooker or a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken with the onion and garlic and cook until browned. Transfer to the slow cooker.</li> <li>Add the bacon, spring onion, tomato, paprika and pepper and mix to combine.</li> <li>Cover and cook on low for 2 hours.</li> <li>Add the pasta, cream and butter and stir well to combine. Continue cooking for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.</li> <li>Stir in the broccoli and continue cooking for 1 hour.</li> <li>Serve by itself or with a selection of fresh vegetables on the side.</li> </ol> <p><em>Written by Simon Christie. Extracted from the book </em>Slow Cooker Central 2<em>.</em></p> <p><em>The book includes more than 270 new recipes from the massively popular Slow Cooker Central website and Slow Cooker Recipes 4 Families Facebook Page. <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/slow-cooker-central-pbk" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Click here</span></strong></a> to purchase your copy.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/05/macaroni-bake/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Macaroni bake</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/05/veggie-packed-carbonara/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Veggie-packed carbonara with mushrooms and fresh spinach</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/05/red-wine-lamb-pappardelle/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Red wine lamb pappardelle</strong></em></span></a></p>

Food & Wine

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Slow cooker beef stew

<p>This is a fantastic and filling meal for cold winter nights, great served with some warm fresh bread with a bit of butter.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span> </strong>4-6</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>800g tinned whole tomatoes</li> <li>6 potatoes, cut into cubes (can leave skins on)</li> <li>4 carrots, peeled and chopped</li> <li>2 onions, chopped into large pieces</li> <li>2 stalks celery, chopped</li> <li>1 tbsp. olive oil</li> <li>900g stewing beef, trimmed and cut into cubes</li> <li>1 tbsp. dried Italian herbs</li> <li>3 cups beef stock</li> <li>3 bay leaves</li> <li>1 cup frozen peas</li> <li>¼ cup plain (all-purpose) flour</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Pour the tomatoes into a slow cooker (juice and all). Crush them with a potato masher or the back of a spoon. Add the potato, carrot, onion and celery.</li> <li>Heat the oil in large frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry the beef in batches until browned, then transfer to the slow cooker, along with any juices in the pan.</li> <li>Sprinkle the Italian herbs over the beef and vegies and then add 2½ cups of the beef stock. Give the mixture a quick stir then add the bay leaves.</li> <li>Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.</li> <li>About 20 minutes before serving, add the peas and season with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and the remaining beef stock to make a smooth paste. Stir into the stew. Continue cooking for 15-20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.</li> <li>Remove and discard bay leaves before serving.</li> </ol> <p>What’s your favourite winter recipe? We’d love to hear it! Share it with us in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Written by Melissa Hansen. Extracted from the book </em>Slow Cooker Central 2<em>.</em></p> <p><em>The book includes more than 270 new recipes from the massively popular Slow Cooker Central website and Slow Cooker Recipes 4 Families Facebook Page. <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/slow-cooker-central-pbk" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Click here</span></strong></a> to purchase your copy.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/05/lamb-and-asparagus-stew/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Lamb and asparagus stew with lemon rice pilaf</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/04/mediterranean-fish-stew/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mediterranean fish stew</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/03/gluten-free-beef-stew/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Gluten-free beef stew</span></em></strong></a></p>

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