
Have you ever planned a weekly meal using non-perishable food items?
Well, that was my blogging challenge for the Food For Families appeal. This week I had to come up with a recipe using only non-perishable food items.
Everyone knows that Christmas is an exciting time for many families, but for others, it can be a difficult time with some not being able to put food on the table. That’s why for the last 23 Christmases, Wesley Mission Victoria’s Food For Families appeal has been collecting non-perishable food donations for families in need.
Last year the campaign collected 45 tonnes of non-perishable items and helped 20,000 families throughout 2015. This year Wesley Mission Victoria is aiming to bring non-perishable food donations front of mind with the public by demonstrating how they can become important meals for families in need.
Okay, so I hear you asking what do you classify as a non-perishable item. It is everything apart from the fresh and frozen food aisles in the supermarket.
Here are some examples of non-perishable food items: Any tinned fish, pasta, rice, jars of vegetables (capsicum, etc.), jars of olives, couscous, soups and there is so much more. As I was putting together my recipe and having a few wanders around the supermarket, I came upon Lite Cooking Cream on the shelf. I didn’t know that existed as I have always ventured straight to the cold dairy section and bought fresh cream. I was very happy to find another alternative to fresh cream!
So now I would like to share with you the recipe for this delicious Couscous and Salmon with a Creamy Mustard Sauce. And yes it all came together using only non-perishable food items!
- 500g Couscous
- 2 teaspoons of Olive Oil
- 1-2 teaspoons of granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon of onion powder
- 300ml Nestle Carnation Lite Cooking Cream
- 1½ tablespoons of Dijon Mustard
- ¼ cup bottled Lemon juice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 270g jar of Chargrilled Capsicum
- 2 x 200g tinned Premium Salmon
- 1-2 teaspoons of Dill for sprinkling on top
- In a medium frying pan add the oil, granulated garlic and onion powder and gently heat through on a low to medium heat.
- Add cream, Dijon mustard and lemon juice. Bring to a gentle boil then gently simmer until sauce reduces and thickens slightly.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- While the sauce is simmering, in a small frying pan add the salmon and capsicum. Gently heat through. Don't break up the salmon too much as you still want chunky pieces.
- In a large saucepan, make the Couscous according to the directions that are on the packet.
- Serve up the Couscous then place the salmon mixture on top. Drizzle the creamy mustard sauce over the salmon then sprinkle some dill on top.
- Enjoy!


After perusing the supermarkets to find ingredients for this recipe, I found that there is a large selection of non-perishable food items that you can make great nourishing and delicious family weekly meals with – it’s not all just baked beans and tinned fruit!
I would love you to give this challenge a go. Put your chef hat on and get creative in the kitchen.
What delicious family meal could you make with non-perishable food items? You will be surprised what you will find on those supermarket shelves!
Thanks for your support Simone, and what a great recipe! Tinned fish is a really popular choice for families who come to our homelessness support services because it is so nutritious and versatile. You’ve also created something that could be a lifesaver on a Friday night when fresh ingredients are running low and we look to the pantry for inspiration.
My pleasure! It was great trying to find out what meals we could make with just using non-perishable food items. And all of these ingredients were available at the supermarket. It was wonderful creating this recipe for the Food for Families Appeal xx
Oh Simone I want to come and live at your house! I’ve just bookmarked this for dinner during the week. Love a recipe that uses up everything in the cupboard! Thanks so much for linking up with our Fabulous Foodie Fridays party! xx
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted…Fabulous Foodie Fridays #80
It was really easy to make Lucy. And everything was available in the supermarket. I hope you give it a go, enjoy! xx
What a gorgeous looking recipe and such a great cause xx
Thank you Lauren! xx
Omg it seems so delicious. You make me hungry now and I have evrything in the freezer for that recipe!!! thanks xx cathy
It was very delicious, Cathy! I hope you give this recipe a go xx
This is so great that you are focusing on this subject, especially this time of year! So many families really can use the help. And this is such a brilliant use of non -perishible items to make a fabulous meal. Well done!
Meghan | Fox and Briar recently posted…Cranberry Orange and Pecan Shortbread Cookies
It was great working out what type of dinner recipes we could make using just non-perishable items. And it was lovely to know that these types of recipes can help all of those families in need especially at
Christmas time. Thank you for the comment Meghan xx