December 9, 2025
Christmas and Birak gatherings are special times to catch up with moort and enjoy our kwobidak boodja – our beautiful country.
With extra visitors and hot weather, food budgets can stretch and kitchen prep can feel like a chore.
To help you stay on track this “silly season,” SWAMS dietitian Fiona Collins has found some practical ideas to save time and money – without missing out on good food or good company.
They are sourced from independent Australian website No Money No Time, a University of Newcastle and nib foundation project that makes use of decades of nutrition research.
Plan ahead
A little planning at the start of the week can go a long way. Jot down your meals, write a shopping list, and get your groceries in one go. It saves time, helps avoid takeaway, and makes it easier to choose healthy, in-season options including the best Birak fruits and veggies.
Start by checking what’s already in your pantry. You might be able to build a meal plan around those ingredients, reducing waste and avoiding double-ups.
One cook-up can also stretch across several meals – refrigerate leftover meats, proteins and veggies to use in salads, frittatas or quiches. Frozen or canned low-salt veggies are also handy for bulking up meals quickly.
Big catch-up time
Hosting a meal? Guests might be happy to bring a plate of food to share – meat, a side dish, dessert or drinks. Roast chicken with homemade stuffing or sauce can be a budget-friendly alternative to pricier Christmas meats.
A big salad bowl with pasta, rice or potato plus cherry tomatoes, celery and other veggies also adds colour and makes everyone full.
Alcohol can quickly blow the budget. Chilled water or iced fruit tea are refreshing options for kids, drivers and pregnant guests, and can help avoid headaches or worse the next day.
After more ideas? Have a browse of the great Healthy, Easy Recipes section which includes the estimated cost of the dish per person: www.nomoneynotime.com.au/healthy-easy-recipes.
Getting started? A list of pantry staples that might useful can be seen at www.nomoneynotime.com.au/hacks-myths-faqs/pantry-fridge-and-freezer-staples.
Fresh fruit rice pudding
This refreshing summery dessert, snack or brunch for up to six people can be served warm or chilled and can be adapted to the fruit you have available.
1 cup rice (arborio or white)
400ml low fat milk or milk alternative
1/4 cup sugar or less, to taste
1-2 punnets of strawberries, 3 fresh mangoes or in-season local fruit such as Midyim Berry, Lilly Pilly, Native Cranberry, Muntries, Quandong or Blueberries
Optional toppings:
1 lime, zested and cut into wedges
3 tbspns shredded/dessicated coconut, toasted in a dry pan until golden
2 tbspns jam made from local fruits
Crushed nuts, to taste
- Put rice and milk into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook partially uncovered for 40 minutes, adding a little extra milk if it becomes too dry. Add sugar to taste and stir it through until dissolved. Cool.
- Slice the fruit if needed.
- To serve, place a dollop of rice pudding in a bowl, cups or jars, top with fruit, repeat, then if using, add toppings.
Recipe inspired by www.nomoneynotime.com.au/healthy-easy-recipes/mango-and-lime-rice-pudding