Creamy Pumpkin and Cashew Vegeroni Recipe

Indulge in the rich and creamy flavors of pumpkin and cashew with this delightful vegeroni recipe, a perfect meal for any occasion. Made almost entirely with ingredients from Wasteless Pantry, this dish is both nutritious and satisfying.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups raw cashews, soaked in 3 cups water
  • Water from soaked cashews
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp mustard powder
  • 1 tbsp Garlic Umami (blend of blitzed shiitake mushrooms, garlic powder, onion powder, cracked pepper, and salt)
  • Several heaped tablespoons of nutritional yeast (nutch)
  • A handful of roasted pumpkin
  • Vegeroni pasta
  • Parsley flakes for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Sauce: Blitz the soaked cashews with their soaking water, turmeric, mustard powder, Garlic Umami, and nutritional yeast until smooth. Add the roasted pumpkin and continue to blitz until the mixture is creamy.
  2. Cook Pasta: Cook the vegeroni pasta according to package instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water.
  3. Combine: If the sauce is too thick, gradually stir in some reserved pasta water until you achieve the desired consistency.
  4. Serve: Garnish with parsley flakes for an extra touch of flavor and freshness.

Benefits of Each Ingredient:

  • Cashews: Provide a creamy texture and are a great source of healthy fats and proteins.
  • Turmeric and Mustard Powder: Offer anti-inflammatory properties and a depth of flavor.
  • Garlic Umami: Enhances the savory notes of the dish.
  • Nutritional Yeast: Adds a cheesy flavor while being rich in vitamins, particularly B-complex.

Why Shop at Wasteless Pantry: Shopping at Wasteless Pantry ensures you are getting quality ingredients while supporting sustainable practices. The bulk buying option reduces packaging waste and helps you tailor your purchases to your exact needs, minimizing food waste.

This pumpkin and cashew vegeroni is not just a testament to the versatility of vegan cooking but also highlights how delicious and fulfilling plant-based meals can be.


Gluten-Free Christmas Cake Recipe

The holiday season is upon us, and there’s no better way to celebrate than with a festive, homemade Gluten-Free Christmas cake recipe! For those following a gluten-free diet, this gluten-free Christmas cake is a delightful way to enjoy the season without compromise. Made with a gluten-free banana bread mix, a generous amount of mixed fruit, and a touch of brandy or orange juice, this cake is moist, flavorful, and perfect for any holiday gathering.

This recipe is not only delicious but also simple to prepare, making it ideal for both experienced bakers and beginners. Plus, you can find all the essential ingredients, including the gluten-free banana bread mix and dried fruits, right here at Wasteless Pantry, ensuring a zero-waste approach to your holiday baking.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg mixed fruit (soaked in 6 tbsp of brandy or orange juice overnight)
  • 500 g Gluten-Free Banana Bread Mix
  • 2 tsp mixed spice
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/3 cup oil
  • 100 ml water
  • Optional: glace cherries and blanched almonds for decoration

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Cake Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free banana bread mix, mixed spice, eggs, oil, and water. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
  2. Add the Soaked Fruit: Gently fold in the soaked mixed fruit, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the batter. The brandy or orange juice adds a subtle depth of flavor to the cake, making it extra special for the holidays.
  3. Prepare the Cake Tin: Line a cake tin with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the prepared tin, spreading it evenly. If desired, decorate the top with glace cherries and blanched almonds for a festive touch.
  4. Bake: Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Bake the cake for 2 hours. If you prefer a lighter-colored cake, cover it with foil for the first hour. This will prevent the top from browning too quickly.
  5. Cool and Store: Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the tin before transferring it to an airtight container. This cake stores well, so you can prepare it in advance and let the flavors develop even more as it sits.

Benefits of Buying Ingredients at Wasteless Pantry

At Wasteless Pantry, we’re all about helping you enjoy delicious food with minimal waste. By bringing your own containers and shopping with us, you reduce packaging waste while supporting a more sustainable lifestyle. Our selection of gluten-free and bulk ingredients means you can buy just the amount you need, whether it’s the banana bread mix, dried fruits, or spices. Plus, you’ll have access to high-quality, ethically sourced products that you can feel good about using in your holiday baking.

Enjoy Your Festive Gluten-Free Treat!

This gluten-free Christmas cake is a wonderful addition to your holiday table. It’s perfect for sharing with family and friends, and you won’t have to worry about anyone missing out on a classic seasonal treat. Bake it ahead of time, decorate it to your liking, and get ready to enjoy a slice (or two) with your favorite cup of tea.

Happy holidays from all of us at Wasteless Pantry! Let us know how your cake turns out in the comments below, or tag us on social media with your festive creations.


Gluten Free Seed Bread Loaf Recipe

Here’s a fantastic Gluten-Free Seed Bread Loaf recipe that’s perfect for a nutritious, hearty bread. It’s packed with seeds and made using simple gluten-free ingredients that you can find at Wasteless Pantry, where you can refill your containers to avoid packaging waste.

Gluten-Free Seed Bread Loaf Recipe (using a 500g loaf tin)

Ingredients:

  • 350g gluten-free crusty bread mix
  • 40g brown rice flour
  • 315ml lukewarm water (+/- 20ml, adjust as needed)
  • 2 heaped tsp dried yeast
  • 2 tsp chia seeds
  • 4 tsp ground flaxseed
  • 20g pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
  • 15g sunflower seeds
  • 1/3 tsp salt
  • 3 tsp (15ml) vegetable oil

Method:

  1. Prepare Your Ingredients:
    Using a flat digital scale, place your mixing bowl on it and zero the scale. Measure out all your ingredients directly into the bowl.
  2. Mix the Dough:
    In the mixing bowl, combine the gluten-free crusty bread mix, brown rice flour, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, pepitas, sunflower seeds, yeast, and salt. Stir in the lukewarm water and vegetable oil. Start mixing gently with a knife, and add a little extra water if needed to bring the dough together.
  3. Knead the Dough:
    Turn the dough onto a floured surface (use brown rice flour to prevent sticking). Knead the dough for about 3 minutes. The dough will be sticky, so flour your hands and the work surface lightly as needed.
    • For a mixer: Mix on low speed for 1 minute, scrape down the sides, and mix for another 3 minutes on medium speed.
  4. Shape and Rise:
    Form the dough into a loaf shape and place it into an oiled 500g loaf tin. Use a sharp knife to slash the top of the dough to allow for rising. Cover with a silicone baking sheet or a damp cloth.
  5. Let It Rise:
    Place the loaf in a warm spot (around 35°C) for about 1 hour to rise. The dough won’t rise much in the oven, so make sure it rises enough before baking. A sunny car or a warm room works well for this.
  6. Bake:
    Preheat your oven to 220°C. Bake the loaf for 30 minutes, then remove it from the tin and bake for another 5-10 minutes until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
  7. Cool Before Slicing:
    Allow the loaf to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing to avoid the bread becoming sticky.
  8. Storage:
    If you’re not consuming the loaf within two days, slice it and store it in the freezer in a bread bag. Thin slices are perfect since this loaf is quite dense and substantial.

Benefits of Buying Ingredients at Wasteless Pantry:

At Wasteless Pantry, you can source your chia seeds, flaxseeds, gluten-free bread mix, and all the other ingredients for this recipe without the need for unnecessary packaging. By bringing your own containers and purchasing in bulk, you not only reduce plastic waste but also ensure that you’re supporting sustainable, eco-friendly practices. Shopping at Wasteless Pantry means you buy only what you need, helping to prevent food waste and live a more zero-waste lifestyle.


Homemade Crumpets Recipe

Here’s an easy and delicious recipe for homemade crumpets! Perfect for a cozy breakfast or snack, these crumpets can be made with simple ingredients and enjoyed fresh off the griddle.

Homemade Crumpets Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups (250g) plain flour
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp dried yeast
  • 1 ¼ cups (300ml) warm water
  • 1 ¼ cups (300ml) warm milk
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • Butter or oil for cooking

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Yeast Mixture:
    In a small bowl, combine the warm water, warm milk, and yeast. Stir in the sugar and set aside for 10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
  2. Make the Batter:
    In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Slowly pour the yeast mixture into the flour while whisking to form a smooth batter. The consistency should be thick, like pancake batter. Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and let it sit in a warm place for 45-60 minutes until the batter has risen and is bubbly.
  3. Prepare the Crumpet Rings:
    If you don’t have crumpet rings, you can use metal cookie cutters or empty, clean tuna cans with the tops and bottoms removed. Grease the inside of the rings with butter or oil.
  4. Cook the Crumpets:
    Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-low heat and grease lightly with butter or oil. Place the greased crumpet rings onto the skillet. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of batter into each ring, filling them about halfway.
  5. Cook Until Bubbles Form:
    Cook the crumpets for 6-8 minutes, or until bubbles appear on the surface and the edges start to set. Carefully remove the rings, flip the crumpets, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they are golden brown on both sides.
  6. Serve:
    Serve the crumpets warm with butter, honey, jam, or your favorite toppings!

If you have a pie maker, that would make this super easy as you could pour them straight into there to cook!

Benefits of Buying Ingredients from Wasteless Pantry:

By purchasing your flour, yeast, and other ingredients from Wasteless Pantry, you can reduce unnecessary packaging and shop sustainably. Bring your own containers and fill them with bulk ingredients to help the planet and avoid single-use plastics. Plus, buying in bulk allows you to purchase exactly what you need, minimizing food waste.


What the Wooroloo Bushfires Taught Me

I live in the Perth Hills and have done so for well over 20 years. Bushfire preparedness has always been something that we were supposed to get to. Every year we maintain the fire breaks and clean out the gutters and up until a several years ago, that was pretty much it. When the Parkerville fires came through 7 or so years ago we evacuated for a day or two with our small children and pets and that was about it. It wasn’t even that close to our home but we could see the smoke and didn’t want to risk it.

Just 2 weeks ago the Wooroloo fires came through on the other side of us and we could see the glow through the trees that first night. With the wind whipping around, we packed up again and headed out.

We were very lucky. Many were not.

The Lessons

Prepare.

Bushfires have always been a reality but they are becoming more frequent and more intense with climate change. Fortunately, we watched Big Weather on ABC iview late last year and that really gave us the motivation to get our preparations in order. We now have an emergency pack with all the essentials and the really important bits that lives permanently packed in a central location in our home. If we were home, it would take us only a minute to grab and go. If we weren’t home, it would be easy for our neighbour to grab it for us.

We also have a written plan and have discussed when to go and where to go if bushfire comes through. Our kids know what we will take and what we will leave behind should we need to evacuate.

We are continuing to do what we can about reducing the fuel load in our gardens, and make it as easy as possible for our home to be defended against fire.

Given how close the fires came to the suburbs this year, it doesn’t matter where you live, it is worth knowing your plan. It is quick to do and then you have peace of mind when a crisis occurs. Check out for https://mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au/ more details.

Address.

Whilst we have to prepare for the likelihood of ongoing fire threats, we can also be doing whatever we can to tackle climate change. There are actions we can take that can slow down and start to reverse the trends.

For starters, reduce your waste.

The less waste we create that has to be landfilled, converted to energy or recycled, the less burden there is on the earth. The less stuff that has to be produced new the better. Instead, go secondhand, borrow, share, repair and look for better alternatives. Use up your stuff or find someone else who will give it a meaningful use. Eat all your food or feed it to the chickens or worms. Avoid your bins wherever you can.

Then help rehabilitate through things like tree planting and clean-ups.

During February 2021, Wasteless Pantry is helping to do that by fundraising for Carbon Positive Australia’s good works! Carbon Positive Australia uses the funds raised through donations and carbon offsets to plant native trees on degraded land in Australia. Over almost two decades they have planted 5,992,261 trees, restored 4,757 hectares of land and captured 632,681 tonnes of carbon. Impressive huh?!

The recent bushfires have reinforced just how important it is for us to do what we can to slow down and even reverse climate change. More trees and less waste will help!

So this February help us with our fundraising! All you need to do is make a purchase over $25 at your local WP store during February to qualify for a $1 donation. So, come refill your jars and do even more good.

Connect.

The last big lesson for me was the amazing support from our community. There were so many offers of help and others just reaching out to make sure we were okay. In speaking with others that were affected, the overwhelming message was that in times like these people do band together and make it work. They lean on each other and offer what they can.

Please get to know your neighbours, be empathetic when someone is having a bad day, and just smile at people when you are walking by. These little gestures cost nothing but mean the world some days.


Food Bank: Making the Best of Food Waste

Last week, our own Jeannie from Wasteless Pantry was given the opportunity to tour Food Bank for a behind-the-scenes peek at the amazing facilities and the team hard at work. She even got to enjoy a lunch prepared in the kitchens from rescued food.

That’s Jeannie on the far right!

Most of us know that we have a big problem with food waste in Australia. But did you know that over 300,000 people in WA live below the poverty line and struggle to access regular nutritious food? And thanks to Covid19, many people are now experiencing food insecurity for the first time.

Such a mammoth effort being made every day

Food Bank is an organisation that tackles both these issues, rescuing food that would otherwise go to waste, often on a huge scale and turning it into delicious, nutritious meals for those who need it most. And on top of all that, they now package the meals in compostable packaging!!

In the 25 years since its inception, the organisation has saved 50 million kilograms of food from landfill and provided 100 million meals.

You can read more about it here https://www.foodbank.org.au/?state=wa

Maybe you’d like to consider making a less fortunate persons Christmas a little bit brighter this year, with a donation to Foodbank’s Uncancel Christmas appeal?https://www.foodbank.org.au/WA/uncancel-christmas/?state=wa


Waste Free Travel

These are all my favourite things to pack when I’m travelling and I can get them all at Wasteless Pantry before I go! 🌴🏖️👙

  • Insulated water bottle: great for keeping water super cool and hot beverages, well, hot! I find that having this is means I don’t need a separate reusable coffee cup, so I can travel light. If you have more room in your bag then you could easily take both.
  • Cutlery set: I’ve been caught out without it and regretted not having it. Either I end up feeling bad for using plastic single-use cutlery or I don’t get to enjoy my meal fully by eating with my hands. This way I always feel good chowing down.
  • Reusable container: I love having a 2 tier variety since I can separate out meals or tailor to the quantity of leftovers I have better. Plus, I can also use it to store small items in my bag between destinations so they are easy to find on arrival.
  • Handkerchief: Multipurpose goodness! Use it as a tissue, napkin, wet wipe, flannel, sweatband on your wrist, wrap for your sandwich, tie for a water bottle to your belt for hands-free hydration, and more. As they are so lightweight easily handwash in a sink at the end of the day and it will be dry by morning to go again.
  • Shampoo bar, conditioner bar and stain remover bar in a travel tin: Shampoo bars double as body wash, conditioner bars double as body lotion and stain remover bars triple as laundry, dishwashing and handwashing products. The travel tin isn’t airtight which means that my bars can dry out a little even in transit.
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste: Taking my own bamboo toothbrush and refilled toothpaste means that I can give the hotel samples a miss.
  • Refillable deodorant: I love my natural deodorant and my own little refillable container is just the right size.
  • Lip balm refillable tin: My handy little tin fits plenty of lip-saving wonder, this one is tinted to give me a little colour and I know that the ingredients are just right for me because I made it.
  • Moisturiser: I want to look after my skin for the happy snaps so refilling my container before I travel is a must.
  • Bamboo comb: It’s lightweight, it does the job and it is a great shape to pack easily into my bag.
  • Plastic-free hair tie: I’d be lost without a hair tie and if I do lose one then I want to be sure that it will biodegrade back into the earth rather than sticking around forever harassing wildlife.
  • Reusable bags: Having a stash of cloth and mesh produce bags plus at least one shopping bag that folds down to practically nothing means that I can avoid ever taking a plastic single-use bag. Cloth produce bags are great for buying bread, rolls and sandwiches. Mesh produce bags are great for fresh fruits and vegetables, and bulk foods, as well as keeping your small laundry items together at the end of your trip. Shopping bags also double as handbags for takeaway meals or laundry bags or any time you want your hands free.

What about you? What are your must-haves for zero waste travelling? Pop in and share them with the team at Wasteless Pantry!


We are still open

Thanks, everyone for supporting us to serve you during the COVID-19 crisis.

Just confirming that yes, we are still open and are sticking with our usual hours at this time.

In line with government recommendations, you will see signs out the front of our stores that help you to understand how we are doing what we can to keep everyone safe.

  • It is a condition of entry that ALL customers sanitise their hands with the provided sanitiser – feel free to use throughout your time in the store as often as needed
  • Maximum numbers of customers can be in the store at one time as per the sign for each store
  • Please wait in a line outside if needed keeping a safe distance apart
  • Due to the above crowd restriction, please limit your time in the store so you get all your shopping done but aren’t browsing. If you could come with a bit of an idea of the things you need that helps!
  • Keep a safe distance from staff and other shoppers
  • Card payments only
  • Respect purchase limits

Do not enter the store if you are sick or have symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home and utilise our Shop for You program to get your goods.

We will talk you through our new checkout process that minimises contact with your goods.

Throughout the day we will shut our doors for 10 minutes to sanitise surfaces and scoops so don’t go away, it’s only a moment for your safety.

In normal times we love having your kids in the store. However, we’ve had to pack up the toys so ideally leave them at home if you can.


Coronavirus Update

These are some crazy times, aren’t they?!

We thought we should let you know that Wasteless Pantry’s three stores (Mundaring, Bassendean and Greenwood) are doing our bit to help manage the Coronavirus and its impact on our community.

You may have already noticed that we have provided hand sanitizer at the entry of our stores for your use and are encouraging those that would like to use this to do so freely throughout your time in the store. If you would prefer not to use the hand sanitizer, you are welcome to ask our team for assistance with hand washing facilities available.

We would also like to remind you about our ‘Shop for You’ service. This is a free service where you drop off your list or containers and we will refill them for you. If you are not feeling well or want to minimise your exposure to public places then this service means you can stick with your waste-free values without compromising your health.

We are lucky to have so many locally sourced goods available, which helps us to be able to maintain adequate stock levels. There will be some products that may take longer to arrive as things progress, however, we will do our best to have everything we can on hand. This has been more tricky lately with stockpiling and some limits (such as for the toilet paper currently) may need to be put in place, however, we will keep you informed.

Store cleanliness and food hygiene have always been a priority for us. We will be ramping things up by disinfecting surfaces and handles throughout the store across the day as well.

It is tricky that the symptoms of Coronavirus overlap with those of just a regular cold and flu which will be popping up more as we come into winter. Our team will be monitoring any risk that they have been infected and will get testing as well as self-isolating where needed. We have quite a bit of flexibility within the team so should be able to manage absences without it impacting on service greatly.

We hope that together we can all get through this in good health!


New Year resolutions – goals or habits?

With every New Year comes the temptation to set some resolutions and, for many years, I diligently made a list of outcomes I was striving to achieve over the next 12 months.  However, I would usually find myself at the beginning of the next year dusting off the previous list before writing a new version (can you relate?) with variable degrees of success.

In the past few years, I noticed that I achieved my goals when I managed to establish new habits.  When I focus on changing one habit at at time I make changes which in turn deliver the end goal and become embedded in my daily life and therefore last a lifetime. This has been true in terms of health, money, career and relationships!

In respect of waste reduction, it has been tempting to set goals like “I will generate less than 1kg of landfill each month” but this does not always translate to specific actions or help with decision making in the heat of the moment. I have found that habits that make everyday decisions easier to reduce waste have more impact.

What has worked for our family is to change habits which, in turn, have a positive  impact the outcome.  For example, we have been working on:

Habit Achievement
Always keeping a set of resusable containers and bags in each car 99%
Keeping a small foldable bag in our handbag (me), workbag (hubby) or backpacks (kids) 95%
Menu planning every week 85%
Using leftovers for lunches and/or having a leftover night 90%
Taking our reusable water bottle (everywhere!) 100%
Composting any food scraps that our dog can’t/won’t eat 95%
Not buying a coffee if we can’t use a ceramic cup or keep cup 100%
Using our sodastream and only buying soft drinks in aluminium cans 95%
Giving experiences as gifts rather than ‘stuff’ or wrapping ‘stuff’ in fabric squares, tea towels or reuseable gift bag 85%
Taking resusable drink cup to the cinema for frozen soft drink (really proud of my kids for this one!) 100%
Buy secondhand items wherever possible 80%
Taking home-made, unpackaged food for school lunches. 75%

The habit we are working on at the moment is to limit our food purchases to products that can be bought:

  • in our own reusable containers at the bulk store, greengrocer, butcher, bakery and deli counter
  • in cans or in glass
  • in paper or cardboard

It IS sometimes cheaper or more convenient to buy something close to hand, wrapped in plastic but that is where changing your habits makes the difference.  Instead of calling into the supermarket on the way home from work at the last minute, we now do a menu plan for the week ahead and schedule in time for shopping trips to buy low-waste alternatives. Once we had done this a few times and got into a rhythm with the new habit, the prepackaged items were no longer a temptation!  We still struggle to find alternatives to a few everyday items such as milk and yoghurt as well as some treats such as chips/cheezles (I know, right!) but, overall, I am pleased with our progress.

By changing our habits rather than focussing on the outcomes, our family has seen dramatic reductions in what goes into both our landfill and recycling bins and, once a habit becomes ‘normal’, we can avoid slipping back to the old behaviours that used to created waste.

Can you relate? What habits have worked for your household?

Amelia