Easy recipes hot off the press

A NEW cookbook by staff at Ballarat Community Health is showing you can do more with a sandwich press than make toasties.

Hot Off the Press is the second cookbook released by the organisation which aims to make cooking affordable and accessible.

The idea came after the release of the Tight Arse Cookbook where feedback indicated not everyone has access to a full kitchen.

“Originally we developed the Tight Arse Cookbook and we’ve now distributed 15,000 copies throughout Ballarat and surrounds which has been great,” said Philippa Kane, innovative health services for homeless youth at Ballarat Community Health.

“This cookbook was to engage people who maybe lack some living skills and are food insecure in how to create a healthy meal.

“It was a great success but from that we did get some feedback that there are some vulnerable groups who don’t have access to kitchens.”

The book features more recipe ideas than toasties, with instructions to cook meals and desserts all using a sandwich press.

“Most people think it’s a lot of toasties and there is a toasty section but that certainly isn’t all there is,” said Ms Kane.

“You can actually roast vegetables, you can cook a steak, you can cook bacon and eggs.”

Ms Kane said cooking simple but homemade meals can be a form of self care.

“Nurturing yourself improves self-esteem, it tells yourself you’re important and especially in Ballarat, it’s cold and it’s miserable, so having a hot meal is actually a really important thing,” she said.

“This book is not just a cookbook, it’s more of a prompt of the things you can do so just reminding people there are alternatives to going to the service station.”

To find out more information about Hot Off the Press, visit the Ballarat Community Health website.