This Cooking Hotline is dedicated to the people of Victoria who went into COVID Lockdown 2.0 last night. While everyone is welcome to use this post to ask any questions about recipes or cooking, if you mention that you are in Victoria, I will prioritise responding to your questions.
Just leave your question in the comments section of this post and I will answer it promptly!
Victoria COVID Lockdown II
Over the weekend, Victoria (the second most populous state in Australia) declared a State of Disaster due to a second wave of coronavirus. Sweeping new restrictions, including night time curfews and strict rules on movements restricted to essentials such as medical, food and 1 hour of exercise per day, came into force last night.
These Stage 4 restrictions will be in place for 6 weeks. The Federal and State government has deemed these measures necessary due to the alarmingly high rate of community transmission in the state, and getting COVID under control in Victoria has serious ramifications for the rest of Australia.
I know this is a very difficult period for Victorians. Saying that I’m thinking of you, to stay strong and positive, that we’re with you in spirit – it just doesn’t seem like enough.
So I’ve decided to offer up my services doing what I know best – personalised cooking help.
Offering up my services!
With COVID Lockdown 2.0 restrictions on movements and purchase limits back in force, and because I hope that you will stay home as much as you can, this once again creates challenges around making do with what you’ve got and menu planning so you can minimise grocery outings.
So Victorians, I’m here for you to ask me anything at all about cooking. No boundaries. Whether it’s ideas, or what to make with x, y, z, a recipe you’re after or a specific cooking question you have, drop them below and I’ll answer them as a priority over questions I get on any other recipe for the duration of your lockdown.
While this recipe hotline is dedicated to the people of Victoria and I will prioritise questions from Victorians, everyone is welcome to leave general cooking questions on this post!
Victorians – sending all my love down to you. We’re thinking of you. Please stay strong – and stay home! – Nagi x
PS Dozer is still on standby for virtual hugs, 24-7.
(In Melbourne metro area) I’d love to know what dry spices you consider as essentials to keep stocked up in the pantry.
Hi Emma, I’ve been thinking of doing a post on my essential items – time to revisit! N x
That would be great! I’m just setting up my pantry and would love to have everything stocked ready to go. Starting out, I tend to find I’m an ingredient or two short and don’t want to unnecessarily go to the shops.
From Melbourne! Hi Nagi, love your site and receiving the blogs each week. Could you suggest how I can use my opened jar of chilli garlic sauce? Thinking of your quick prawn recipes. Could I use as substitute for other ingredients? Any ideas would be great, and how to use. Thanks so much.
Hi Esther, here are some recipes for inspiration! N x
https://salesdock.info/stir-fried-green-beans-with-pork/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://salesdock.info/thai-chicken-salad/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://salesdock.info/poached-salmon-in-coconut-lime-sauce/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> https://salesdock.info/sticky-chinese-chicken-wings/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Great, thank you for quick reply and ideas.
Hi Nagi,
Melbournite here loving your no knead artisan bread recipe- I’m never buying bread again! I’d like to add things like sunflower seeds to it, would that alter the baking time? And would I add them before adding the water?
Hi Leanne, you can definitely add seeds – mix in with the flour. It won’t affect the bake time. N x
Thankyou! 🤍
Hey Nagi!! Just want to thank you and tell you how amazing you and your recipes are!! I get on your site every single night before I go to bed and try to plan my meals!! I’ve never had a fail from your recipes and they make me truly happy!!! You have definitely found your gift to the world!! ❤️
Thank you so much Casey, that’s so kind of you 🙂 N x
Hi Nagi,
I have a glut of kiwi fruit and a family who eats them reluctantly. Have you come across a cake/crumble/loaf that has kiwi fruit in it? I’ve never baked with them before & not sure if it would work? My go-to would normally be a pav topped with Kiwi but our family of 3 wouldn’t get through it before it went bad & in stage 4 I can’t get the rest of the family around to share it (& it would encourage me to eat more than my fair share!)
Thanks for any & all help!
Kelli
Hi Kelli, that’s a hard one, I find that kiwi is already so soft that when you cook with it, it turns to mush. You’d be better off making jam with it or even a custard tart with fresh kiwi fruit on top! 🙂 N x
Nagi!!!
I really want to congratulate you!! every recipe is expectacular!!! Thank you!!
Thanks so much Claudia!!! N x
Do you have a recipe for filipino pancit.
I don’t sorry Elizabeth, pop a request on my recipe request page though! N x
Hi Nagi
I wanted to let you know that you’ve absolutely changed my life – I was not even trusted to cook rice before lockdown and now everyone in the family asks me what we’re having for dinner! I absolutely love your recipes and how open and honest you are. There is so much heart in your site that makes me feel so good, even through the screen!
You have motivated me to have a go at creating my own food blog as well, something I’m hoping to launch once I come up with a clever name!
Just wanted to ask where you get your food inspiration from and where you learned how to cook. Do you start with a recipe you’ve found and then modify it to perfection? What do you do with food you’ve cooked that didn’t turn out so well? My family sometimes won’t eat it, then I’ve got to eat portions and portions of it before I can cook again!
I’ve also read your Blogger Resources and found it incredibly helpful. If you have any advice for me and my future blog, I’m all ears!
Thank you again, you are an absolute inspiration and you’ve kept me sane throughout both lockdowns! x
Hi Nagi – last question I promise! I accidentally bought the little macaroni instead of elbow pasta. Are you able to advise which of your pasta recipes I could use the little macaroni with?
Hi Nagi – thanks for all your wonderful recipes (due to cook your rissoles tomorrow night!). Two questions from a Melbournian about cooking chicken breast after another failed attempt tonight. First, can you please advise what to do when your chicken bite size pieces release heaps of liquid when cooking in a fry pan – do I drain off the liquid? Second, when I cook small pieces of chicken breast for burritos or to add to pasta/risotto etc, they always end up rubbery. Any tips for the temperature I should cook them at (eg. medium or high), how frequently to move them about the pan and how long to cook for? Many thanks.
Hi Julia, if they are producing liquid it means they are stewing not frying – you need to cook it in batches so the chicken doesn’t reduce the pan heat when it goes in. I imagine this is why it’s going rubbery too as all the juice has gone from the chicken! Depending on the size of the pieces, they shouldn’t take long to cook (a couple of minutes) over a medium heat, just make sure you don’t dump a whole lot in at the one time. N x
Thank you!!
Hi Nagi,
Just wondering what you think about this air fryer fad. I got conned into one (didn’t take much in lockdown!) and i am unsure what the fuss is about…
Thanks!
Hi Shannon, I have one but don’t use it to be honest – it seems like just another appliance to store when I can just use my oven! N x
Hi Nagi, a housebound Melburnian here. Your beautiful recipes are a staple in our home. Thank you for keeping me inspired to keep on making nutritious and interesting meals. You are my go-to for everything culinary. I also spend way too much time on the RTE page (if such a thing is even possible!). Thank you for providing this opportunity to ask questions. I have a meaty leftover roast chicken carcass in the fridge. Can I use that to make a stock for chicken soup?
Hi Liz, thanks so much, that’s awesome to hear!!! You can definitely make stock with it – cover with water and add a few carrots, celery, onion and a couple of closed of garlic to the pot. Simmer on low for 2 hours then season with salt and pepper (sometimes if there isn’t enough flavour I’ll cheat and add a little vegetable to boost it) – N x
Thank you, Nagi. Turned out perfectly!
When I was in lockdown with extra time, I found a recipe to save you vegetable peelings and stored them in the freezer until I had a full gallon bag. Then made a vegetable stock that was out of this world. Google the recipe as some vegetables are better than others.
Hi Nagi, thank you for your support to us Victorians at this very difficult time. Can I please have your recipe for honey prawns 🍤 Thankyou 😘
Hi from the South Atlantic US! I love love love browsing through your recipes and looking for dinner ideas! Just curious though… why no recipes with cherries??
Hi Janna, I’m actually waiting for them to come into season, I have some recipes in mind 😉 N x
Hi Nagi, we’re in Victoria doing the best we can to keep us all safe through “round 2”
We cooked steak in peppercorn sauce with your smashed crispy potatoes (and of course, accompanied with greens)
We made a night of it, set a beautiful table, enjoyed a
glass of red and YouTubed a crackling fire with jazz music to play on the TV in the background to set off our night in. Who knew we were that creative!?!
OK, I think this is officially the BEST message all weekend!!! I love it Anne, I love it! I think I will have to share this menu this coming Friday for other Victorians (YouTube fire and all!!) N xx
Hello – Long time follower, first time writer! I am from Melbourne and wondered if you were able to work your magic and master a gluten free donut recipe? Thank you. I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Pop a request on my recipe request page 🙂 N x
Hi Nagi,
My husband could only find medium grain rice on the shop shelves yesterday. I’m used to basmati or brown rice. Will medium rice suit a curry or suit chilli con carne etc?
Hi Anna, yes it will be great – check out my tips for cooking it here: https://salesdock.info/how-to-cook-rice/%3C/a%3E N x
Hi Nagi,
I live in Melbourne and I love to cook so in that sense the lockdown is an opportunity for me to do more of something I anyway love. Recently, I bought a pressure cooker (they were on sale at Aldi) and I read that you have one too. Could you help me convert your recipes to be suitable for a pressure cooker? For instance, I would like to make your Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry recipe in my PC. Much thanks in advance!
Hi Daniel, for recipes that are convertible to pressure cooker I always list the directions in the notes. The Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir Fry dint suitable in a pressure cooker though sorry! N x
Hi Nagi,
You’re a staple in our household (thank goodness for your lockdown meal planners!). Spending a bit more time in the garden waiting out lockdown #2. Any advice on rhubarb recipes?
Cheers!
Steph
Hi Steph, I don’t often cook with it but I should! You could add it to my apple crumble recipe, just sub half the apple for rhubarb cut into the same size chunks. N x
Hi Nagi, I am also from Melbourne and in Lockdown again. I have chicken thigh fillets in the freezer and I am looking for casserole ideas for the family. I would like to have casseroles where the chicken is diced. Many thanks 😊
Hi Diane, I don’t have a lot of chicken casseroles, but if you type “chicken thigh” into the search bar, all my thigh recipes will pop up for you, I’m sure you’ll get some inspiration! N x
Hi Nagi,
I discovered your “My Asian market shopping list” yesterday. It is brilliant. Do you have a similar list for essential herbs and spices for the majority of your recipes please?
Thank you for the special love you are showing us as Victorians. xx
Hi Anne! I wrote this during Lockdown 1.0 https://salesdock.info/what-food-to-stock-up-on-for-coronavirus/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr /> (I also got in trouble for encouraging panic buying – which is what I was trying to AVOID LOL!)
My essential list of herbs is point #5 – less than you’d think, I’m so boring I use the same herbs over and over!! N x
Perfect. I only need to add a couple of items to my next shopping list. Thank you. 🙂