As we work our way out of COVID lock down (yay!), you may be getting hungry for a new project to keep warm on the weekends. 

So how about salami making?

This mouth watering delicacy is a staple in many households around the world, providing nutritional goodness and food security for thousands of years. It’s also a great excuse to spend the day enjoying some time with your friends and family.

So this week, let’s look at salami making and how you can add spice to life with this delicious chunk of cured meat. It’s easier than you might think… 

The Art of Salami Making

Salami, salami, salami. Every salami-making culture makes a similar version of this culinary staple – whether you look to Spain or France or Italy or Hungary or Germany — although these last two tend to smoke their salami as well. It’s an art that has stood the test of time.

While it’s a skill that can be learned yourself, if you’ve never done it before then to become comfortable with basic sausage-making before you take the step of curing them will put you in good stead (we offer a sausage making workshop just for that!). You also need some special equipment.

In summary: Don’t skimp on salami making. It’s just not worth it.

Get what you need to make it easy. 

First, let’s talk kit. Here’s what you’re going to need:

1. Every salami maker needs a good grinder.
2. You’ll need a sausage stuffer too.
3. Then, to hand-cut the meat and fat requires a sharp knife and a good serve of patience.
4. To hang your sausages for the few days it takes to ferment them, you’ll need “S” hooks to hang the links.
5. Depending on the conditions, you may also need a humidifier both for the fermentation process and while your links are drying.
6. Finally, you must have a suitable area to act as a curing chamber. There’s a few DIY ideas out there that are simple enough.

Just getting started? We have some great sausage making starter kits that have all the basics to get started

Get to know the process.

The salami-making process is this: You make sausage, adding sodium nitrate and a starter culture, then ferment the sausages at room temperature to let the good bacteria in the starter beat back any bad bugs within the meat.

Then, hang the links to dry out slowly in a suitable curing chamber, to let the sausages dry slowly, little by little to prevent “case hardening,” (where the outside of the salami dries too fast and prevents the interior from drying properly) and because it will taste better 🙂

Spice Up Your Salami

This year we have collaborated with one of our suppliers to release a retail range of salami spice blends which have so far proved a hit. They take the guess work out of the a salami recipe – all you need to do is mix the flavouring through 5kg of minced meat! Oh, and detailed instructions are provided in the packs.

We also have a comprehensive range of salami making products Including machinery and consumables. 

Essentially we have everything you need but the meat.  

Sssssmokin’!

If you’re a slightly more experienced salami maker who’s taking on the preparation of meat for your salami making (or if you’d like to learn you should check out this workshop we offer), consider spicing up your menu by using some of the meat to create other, complimentary cured meat products such as kabana, bacon etc. 

It’s a great way to use up the whole animal and flex your culinary skills in these complimentary preparation techniques.

Remember, Whatever Supplies You Need, You Can Get It Delivered!

Everything in our store can be either click-and-collected from our shop on Vincent Road, or delivered to your door for a very reasonable rate.

Locals who rack-up an order over $25 qualify for $5-$10 flat rate postage, or FREE next day delivery over $100*

Our local crew is: 
– Albury – $5
– Alexandra – $10
– Beechworth $5
– Benalla – $10
– Bonnie Doon – $10
– Bright – $5
– Bundalong – $10
– Cheshunt – $5
– Corowa – $5
– Harrietville – $5
– Edi Upper – $5
– Euroa – $10
– Glenrowan – $10
– Greta – $10
– Greta South – $10
– Jamieson – $10
– King Valley $5
– Mansfield – $5
– Merrijig – $10
– Milawa – $5
– Mohyu – $10
– Mooroopna – $10
– Mt Buller – $10
– Mulwala – $10
– Myrtleford – $5
– Oxley – $5
– Peechelba – $5
– Rosewhite – $5
– Rutherglen – $5
– Shepparton – $10
– Tolmie – $10
– Wangaratta – $5
– Whitfield – $5
– Whorouly -$10
– Winton – $10
– Wodonga – – $5
– Yarrawonga – $10
– Yea – $10

That’s all, folks!

As the COVID-19 isolating measures are slowly eased, we wish all of you warm tidings and extend a big thanks for supporting our family-owned business. We’ve been humbled at the ‘buy-local’ attitude that has become even stronger during this time, and promise to do your loyalty justice with exceptional service and quality products for your home.

Enjoy the freedom!

The My Slice of Life crew.

Whoa! Who turned off the heat!? The past weeks have been a little on the nippy side, which could mean that the change of season is already in full swing. 

Winter is coming…

But what if, instead of being filled with dread over the early morning bath-robed dash to the toilet, this were instead a time to enjoy the peace, freshness in the air, and homely warmth of your house?

Quality heating is where it’s at. And today, we’re going to show you how to live the dream in a home where, from now on, bath robes and Uggs are blissfully optional…

Tip: How to Keep Your Fireplace Burning All Night

1. Rake the charcoal towards the front of the wood stove. 

Keeping a wood stove burning all night comes down to coal placement. Keeping the coals together in the front of the stove provides a strong heat source to ignite the logs. If you leave coals across the entire bottom of the stove, all of the wood will ignite at once, and this will shorten the burn.

2. Place five to seven large logs in a tight formation behind the coals.

The pieces should be 10-15cm across. Place each piece, one at a time, “East-West” or parallel to the front of the fireplace and behind the coals, pressed to the back of the firebox. As you add more pieces, try to nest them with the earlier pieces as tightly as possible.

When the last pieces go in, the front edge of the forward most piece should be just touching the glowing coals. Do not lay pieces crosswise over one another or place any pieces in a “North-South” (perpendicular to the front) orientation. When stacked this way, the fire can quickly spread to engulf all of the wood, leading to faster burns.

There is no need to add newspaper or kindling. With a glowing coal bed and well-seasoned wood, the fire should start in only a few moments.

3. Shut the door and enjoy!

A few moments after you load the wood in your wood stove it will ignite. The fire will quickly spread over the front layer of wood, and slowly burn towards the back. This all night fire will burn in your wood stove for hours. Learning how to keep a wood stove burning all night is just that easy!

This assumes, of course, that you are equipped with a fireplace capable of delivering well-distributed, efficient heat. And that’s where we come in…

We Know Euro (Fireplaces)

We are authorised dealers for a couple of fantastic fireplace brands – Euro Fireplaces & ADF. Both of these brands pride themselves on offering fireplaces that are super stylish, clean burning, and highly efficient.

So efficient in fact, that a correctly installed and operated Euro Fireplace can reduce wood usage by up to 50% compared to a conventional Australian wood heater! It truly is the future of wood heating.

And there’s a wide range to choose from – built-in or freestanding models.

When it somes to quality fireplaces, we’ve got you covered: 

• We have an experienced installer ready to assist
• We service what we sell 
• We offer free delivery within 100kms! See below for details…

And we’ve made it super easy for you to shop fireplaces from the comfort of your (currently) barely-warm couch. The full range we offer is up on our website, and you can book a showroom viewing (by contacting us) so you can see the quality for yourself. 

Models start from only $1,590, so we have something to suit every budget.

Fireplaces, BBQ’s, Kitchen Supplies, Get it All Delivered!

Remember, everything in our store can be either click-and-collected from our shop on Vincent Road, or delivered to your door for a very reasonable rate.

Locals who rack-up an order over $25 qualify for $5-$10 flat rate postage, or FREE next day delivery over $100*

Our local crew is: 
– Albury – $5
– Alexandra – $10
– Beechworth $5
– Benalla – $10
– Bonnie Doon – $10
– Bright – $5
– Bundalong – $10
– Cheshunt – $5
– Corowa – $5
– Harrietville – $5
– Edi Upper – $5
– Euroa – $10
– Glenrowan – $10
– Greta – $10
– Greta South – $10
– Jamieson – $10
– King Valley $5
– Mansfield – $5
– Merrijig – $10
– Milawa – $5
– Mohyu – $10
– Mooroopna – $10
– Mt Buller – $10
– Mulwala – $10
– Myrtleford – $5
– Oxley – $5
– Peechelba – $5
– Rosewhite – $5
– Rutherglen – $5
– Shepparton – $10
– Tolmie – $10
– Wangaratta – $5
– Whitfield – $5
– Whorouly -$10
– Winton – $10
– Wodonga – – $5
– Yarrawonga – $10
– Yea – $10

Remember to Join Us on Facebook

If you’re keen to become more self-sufficient in these uncertain times, make sure you join the active community on our Facebook page who are sharing great resources and tips on going DIY. There’s links to other Facebook groups/pages, books, helpful content, creative recipes, and tips and tricks to living a more sustainable lifestyle.

We think you’ll love it.

We continue to rise to the challenge of COVID-19, and would like to thank you for your continued support and patience. If there are any delays in getting to you, we do apologise in advance. It’s a busy time with a small team and, rest assured, we’re doing our best.

Until our next update, stay warm!

We, like all other businesses, are taking the safety of our staff, family and our customers very seriously, and playing our part in stopping the spread of the “Rona” (trust Aussies to make slang for a virus!). 

Fortunately, we’ve hustled away and are pleased to announce that it’s business (almost) as usual. Same great service and products, but without the risk of infection.

It’s testing times for many a small business around the world, and we’d like to say a massive THANK YOU for being there for us during this time of crisis.

So, let’s take a look at what you can expect for the next little while from My Slice of Life…

Convenient and Safe Pickup

To align with social distancing requirements, our retail shop is now closed to walk-in customers. However, we have now implemented a ‘Click/Phone & Collect – Car Park Pick Up’ ordering system if you’re a Wangaratta local and would like to save a few $ on postage (more on postage later).

To take advantage of this service, here’s what you need to do:

1. PLACE YOUR ORDER: On the My Slice of Life store.
2. PICK UP YOUR ORDER: Collection is from our retail store at 159 Vincent Rd, Wangaratta. Simply park in our car park, pop your boot, call the store to advise you have arrived and we will bring your order out to you. Simple!

The fine print:

• Orders can be placed via phone, email, our website or facebook messenger. 
• Orders placed before 12pm Mon – Fri can be picked up after 3pm the same day.
• Orders placed on a Saturday can be picked up between 9.30am-12.00pm Sunday.
• Orders placed on a Sunday can be picked up after 3pm Monday.
• Please advise your preferred time and day of collection when ordering.

Get Di$counted Delivery!

A crisis like this doesn’t happen often, and neither does this flat-rate shipping deal!

To make it easy for you to continue supporting us, locals can now get cheap shipping direct to your door. Simply place an order over $25 and you will qualify for $5-$10 flat rate postage, or spend $100 and get FREE next day delivery*

“So who is a local” we hear you say… 

LOCAL FREIGHT AREAS
– Albury – $5
– Alexandra – $10
– Beechworth $5
– Benalla – $10
– Bonnie Doon – $10
– Bright – $5
– Bundalong – $10
– Cheshunt – $5
– Corowa – $5
– Harrietville – $5
– Edi Upper – $5
– Euroa – $10
– Glenrowan – $10
– Greta – $10
– Greta South – $10
– Jamieson – $10
– King Valley $5
– Mansfield – $5
– Merrijig – $10
– Milawa – $5
– Mohyu – $10
– Mooroopna – $10
– Mt Buller – $10
– Mulwala – $10
– Myrtleford – $5
– Oxley – $5
– Peechelba – $5
– Rosewhite – $5
– Rutherglen – $5
– Shepparton – $10
– Tolmie – $10
– Wangaratta – $5
– Whitfield – $5
– Whorouly -$10
– Winton – $10
– Wodonga – – $5
– Yarrawonga – $10
– Yea – $10

If you’re a customer from further afar, then fear not: Nothing has changed. The postie is still burning rubber on the streets delivering goods to Aussie households. For them we are most thankful! 

Learn From the Rest

If you’re keen to become more self-sufficient in these uncertain times, this is your opportunity.

With a little more time on your hands at home (unless it’s now the office?!?) make sure you join the active community on our Facebook page who are sharing great resources and tips on doing it DIY. There’s links to other Facebook groups/pages, books, helpful content, creative recipes, and tips and tricks to living a more sustainable lifestyle.

We think you’ll love it.

Thank you again to our local legends who have adopted our new ordering systems so quickly, and continuing to place orders in record numbers. You know who you are 😉 And as more of you choose to support our business, we apologise in advance if there are any delays. We are doing our best in these challenging times.

To all, we wish you and your family good health and a good dose of sanity that will hopefully last to the next update… And beyond!

Until then…

The My Slice of Life crew.

As we’re sure you already know, meat prices are going through the roof. This is causing a lot of people to rethink how (and where) they source their meat. And through our strong ties with local hunting groups, we’ve even seen a resurgence in people learning how to process their own animals as was traditionally the way for those on the land. 

We’re long-time believers in the health benefits, quality, and the cost savings that can be gained from home butchery, and many we’ve “mentored” during our time have even turned it into a hobby, not just a money saving exercise. Because there’s enjoyment and satisfaction in becoming the “hunter” – creating and perfecting butchery, sausage making, meat smoking, and other essential skills common to a time before supermarket conveniences…

So let’s dive into our range of home butchery & meat processing supplies that can take you on a journey out of isle 4 to re-connect with the great outdoors…

Butchery Supplies a Cut Above the Rest

Yep, we went there. Gotta love puns!

But seriously, if you need ingredients or supplies to get your meat from paddock to freezer to plate, then look no further. 

• Packaging
• Knives and saws
• Meat slicers and mincers
• Hooks and gambrels
• Marinades and seasonings
• Smoking and curing supplies
• And much, much more.

And if you don’t know what some of that even is, then you’re in luck…

It doesn’t happen often, but we’ve got a whole animal butchery class coming up on April 11 & 12 where you get to experience the full nose-to-tail butchery of the meat of your choice (24-26 kg of either lamb, beef, or pork) over a comprehensive weekend workshop.

Things you’ll learn are:

• Knife sharpening and correct equipment selection.
• Learning the different types of cuts – bacon, sausage, and the best roasting pieces.
• Sausage making.
• Bacon and kabana making.
• Meat smoking.
• Correct packaging and storage.
• And more!

All supplies and equipment required for production are included within the class fee.

At the end of the session you’ll take home all of the meat freshly prepared during the class, ready for cooking, refrigerating or freezing in preparation for your next dinner party, barbecue or picnic. You’ll also get a 15% discount on all of our butchery equipment and ingredients, redeemable on the day of the class.

Come learn the ropes with us!

If you’ve ever considered getting your caveman (or woman!) on and trying out the way of the hunter-gatherer, then now is a good time to try. With our upcoming workshop which will introduce you to the craft of butchery, you can get a taste of what it means to eat the meat you’ve run off its feet.

We think you’ll love it.

See you in class!

It’s the beginning of a new week, and you feel inspired to make your house into a more comfortable, entertainable home. This usually means a trip to a local homewares store or Bunnings *shudder*…

Until now.

Introducing My Slice of Lifestyle –  a complementary sister business we created to focus on premium lifestyle products that truly enhance your slice of ‘outdoor life’. Same location, same great service, double the product range!

Whether it’s preparing culinary delights or entertaining guests in style,
our comprehensive offering: My Slice of Life + My Slice of Lifestyle, has you covered.

So as a new weekend dawns, let’s take a sneak peek at how we can now take your leisure to a whole new level of “Chic”.

The Best Brands, Brought to Your Home

Australia is seen as the mecca of outdoor living. Now, we can get you there.

Family, fire, and food are the key pillars of our new product range. Think indoor/outdoor heating, BBQ’s/outdoor kitchens, and furniture. All the essentials you need to have an inviting outdoor area where you, the family, and your guests can spend plenty of quality time! 

We pride ourselves in offering a higher end range of lifestyle products.
We think that they are showpieces as well as being functional devices
that bring you a better quality of life. We have partnered with the worlds best outdoor living brands such as:

🍖 Big Green Egg
🍖 Green Mountain Grills
🍖 Hark BBQ
🍖 Flaming Coals
🍖 Napoleon
🍖🔥 🍳 Gasmate
🍖🍳 Euro Appliances
🍕 Ooni
🍕🔥 Buschbeck Australia
🔥 Euro Fireplaces
🔥 Modern Flames Australia
🔥 EcoSmart Fire
🔥 ADF Wood Heaters
🔥 Heatscope
🔥 Outback Heating
☂️ Instant Shade Umbrellas
🍳 Robam Rangehoods

These brands give you longevity, value, and timeless style for your home. 

Remember, we offer free freight within 100km and ship all products Australia wide – nothing is too big for us to freight to you!

Terms and conditions apply. Ask us for details!

Got a Life Changing Renovation in Mind?

To make a home a castle takes a lot of dreaming. And there’s only so much you can DIY.

So, where do you start?

Fear not. For the bigger home additions like pizza ovens, kitchens, and rangehoods, we’re happy to offer our expert knowledge and trusted contractors that we’ve tried and tested for our own projects.

Get quality products and the confidence you need to build a castle worthy of any noble in your realm…  

You asked, we delivered. With the addition of My Slice of Lifestyle to our location, we’re set to transform your home with products that you, your family, and your guests will LOVE!

Remember, if you have questions on anything culinary or lifestyle related, our experts are a phone, email, or drive-by away. So make your life one that you love with the best advice, kitchenware, and leisure products on the market. 

Happy entertaining!

Ever watched those cooking shows and Think: “I wonder if I could I do that?” (Or WTF are they doing!?!?)

Wonder no longer.

We hold a number of fun, educational, in-house workshops run by industry-trained professionals. And don’t think it’s all about sitting there listening. No, these are hands-on workshops where you’ll be getting dirty smoking, curing, and cutting! They cover a range of topics and are sure to take your lifestyle to a whole new level of awesome.

No matter what background – men, women, young, and old are welcome to these tantalising training sessions that will ensure you’re the life of your next backyard BBQ…

What Workshops, You Ask?

Foodies, farmers, and hunters, rejoice! Learn more about food production and garner more skills you can use at home with topics such as: 

• Sausage Making
• Bacon and Kabana
• Butchery
• American BBQ
• Salami
• Charcuterie
• Home Brewing
• And more!

Get in quick! Early bird booking specials are now on.

We only run these classes a couple of times a year so we highly encourage you to book ahead so you don’t miss out.

Hail From A Land Far Away?

Whether you’re just down the road or even if hail from another state, why not make a trip of it and visit our beautiful region? Wangaratta lies right on the Hume FWY and there is so much food, wine, and scenery to enjoy. 

We really are the home of lifestyle transformations in the North East, and think you are going to LOVE learning how to up your game with our workshops. 

Remember, we’ve got a range of culinary supplies that would make a Michelin chef weep with joy, and if you have questions, our experts have got your back. So take your cooking (and lifestyle) to the next level with only the best advice, kitchenware, and leisure products. 

See you at a class soon!

Welcome to 2020. First of all, we hope that you and your family are well after the devastating fires that rocked our nearby neighbourhoods. We hope the remainder of the summer is kind to all.

Despite the unfortunate weather, crops are producing a bounty of flavourful produce that, in some cases, is too much to eat! So why not kick your preserving game into gear?

Let’s take a look at how to take advantage of your abundance with some good ol’ fashioned preserving of these popular local crops…

Got Excess Tomatoes?

‘Tis the season to be preserving, saucing, and turning your abundant harvest into lasting pantry goodies!

Whether you’re jamming, canning, or planning a saucy sensation, we’ve got you covered.

And when it comes to traditional Italian passata, the only way you’ll come close to a creation “just like mama used to make it”, is to use the right equipment. Whether it’s bottles, jars, or presses – we’ve got you covered.

Start Whining!

Well, not literally..

We think that the fruit of your labour is best served in a glass with friends, which is why we stock a comprehensive range of wine-making supplies.

And in addition to a full range of products, we offer FREE pH and alcohol testing, and an equipment hire service for those wanting to test the waters, first. 

It doesn’t matter what level you’re at – we cater to all. So come in to see your local experts in all things wine making and let us make sure your next drop a memorable one – for the right reasons! 

Despite the heat, tomatoes and grapes are ripe for the picking, so be sure to get in while the flavours are ‘bellissimo’, preserving them for lasting enjoyment by all.

Remember, our experts are just a phone call away should you get stuck. That’s why we’re here – to take your cooking (and lifestyle) to the next level with only the best advice, kitchenware, and leisure products for your home. So in 2020, expect to see more news from us, more handy tips, and a growing range of products from your favourite, local,culinary experts. 

Until our next update, Live it up!

Want to view our range first hand or have the ability to ‘çlick & collect’ your web purchases? No problem! Our retail store & warehouse is located at 159 Vincent Road, Wangaratta 3677.

We’re now open 7 days a week for your shopping convenience. We encourage our shop visitors to leisurely peruse all of our range at their own pace then speak with our staff about how we can assist with your next indoor or outdoor project. We take great pride in our many working displays and presenting all of our quality products in a clean, spacious environment. Our premises is also armed with ample onsite parking for trailors and longer vehicles, so don’t hesitate to stop by if you’re traveling through the area.

Click here for a virtual tour of our store.

Trading Hours

Monday-Friday – 8:30am-5:30pm
Saturday – 8:00am-1:00pm
Sunday – 9:30am-12:30pm
*CLOSED ALL PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Salami making season is upon us again. It’s time to dust off your sausage stuffer and order your supplies in anticipation of those first frosty mornings in June.

The 2019 version of our salami & sausage making price list is now available for download via the link below:

Click here to download your copy

This price list also doubles as an order form! Simply specify the quantities of each product you require, fill out your contact details and then return this form to us asap to secure your stock. We also encourage customers to utilise our online store to quickly and efficiently place any orders.