Contributing to Wesley Mission’s Food for Families Cookbook

One thing that I miss doing is volunteer work. There’s nothing more truly fulfilling. For nearly a decade, I was part of a few special projects within the community; one of them being setting up a computer training program with the Brotherhood of St Lawrence for the disadvantaged where I also got to facilitate the classes. It was so rewarding teaching people how to use a PC and how to navigate through the internet. Some of the fondest memories was seeing the joy in people as they connected with loved ones from overseas. With work and other commitments taking precedent nowadays, it’s getting much harder to make a commitment so when The Wesley Mission asked whether I would like to work with them on the Cooking for Compassion cookbook to support the Food for Families appeal, I gave a resounding YASSS! Food and charity go hand in hand. The project’s ambassador is MasterChef’s very own Callum Hann.

The concept for Cooking for Compassion is centered around both affordability and practicality. True to what Wesely Mission stands for, the recipes within their cookbook needed to be budget conscious and preferably, using ingredients and the non-perishable items that are usually donated to the organisation. What makes it so brilliant is that it also promotes frugality; something that our over consuming/spending society desperately needs more of. This means less food wastage and landfill not too mention more benjamins in our pockets at the end of every week.*hands up!*

My recipe contribution Cathedral Jelly (above)

According to Wesley Mission “The number of clients accessing our Crisis and Homelessness Services is increasing each year. In 2012/13, Wesley provided services including housing, transport and food to 17,545 Victorians, an increase of 29 per cent on the previous year.”

For a $20, you will not only be helping out families in need but in return, you will get a cookbook filled with pages and pages of diverse recipes covering many cuisines from Chinese, Italian and Filipino plus some super easy decedent desserts crafted with ingredients you may already have in the pantry.

My recipe contribution was an easy choice: Cathedral Jelly (above). With its array colours resembling stained glass windows, it’s been such a big hit a family parties especially with the kids…and their parents. A treasured recipe that costs less than $10 to make.

Also included in the book is a how to guide to make the perfect risotto. No weeknight dinner will ever be the same. I urge you to take the challenge and see how much you save using the Cooking for Compassion Cookbook compared to eating out or getting takeout every night. It’s much more fun cooking with the family anyways!

Tim Tam Lamington Tart by the errmazing Daisy – how good does that look?!

You can’t go past this poifect noodle recipe by Mr Ultimate Feast Chef himself, Wince

Unlike other cookbooks, there’s also a built in ‘stand’ so it doesn’t take up unnecessary bench space and prevent those pesky page splatter. It kinda reminds me of Kramer’s Coffee Table book on one of the Seinfeld episodes…cracker! Much better than his idea for a cologne that smelt exactly like the beach though. So if you too wanna avoid any permanent kitchen stains on on your beloved cookbook, grab a copy Cooking for Compassion and like ma experience so far, it will become your saving grace when it comes to weeknight dinner procrastination.

Reach deep into your pockets and hearts and grab your copy today. Remember, sexy people donate.

Zee Details

You can pop by the Wesley Mission office at 148 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD

Order online at: www.foodforfamilies.com.au

Yo. I was not asked by Wesley Mission to write this post. I genuinely believe in their cause and  was more than happy to help where I can.

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Adrian