10 ways with evaporated milk

1. Mix up your mash

Make your next potato mash creamier by adding some light evaporated milk in place of trim milk. Add nutmeg for taste.

2. Clever curry

For a healthier curry, lightly fry chopped garlic, ground turmeric, ginger and paprika. Add curry paste and a touch of brown sugar, then add coconut-flavoured light evaporated milk and a little water. Bring to the boil then reduce heat to a simmer until thickened. Add cooked chicken or beef pieces, sprinkle with coriander and serve.

3. Creamy soup

Add light evaporated milk to your next puréed vege soup. This works especially well with sweet flavours such as carrot, kumara and pumpkin.

4. Makeover potato bake

In a saucepan, bring reduced-fat spread and a 375ml can of light evaporated milk to the boil. Add 1 tablespoon flour to thicken. Layer slices of potato and onion in a greased baking dish. Sprinkle with grated cheese, then pour over some of the sauce. Continue until layers reach the top of the dish. Sprinkle top with grated cheese. Bake until golden and tender.

5. Easy rice pudding

Bring a 375ml can of light evaporated milk, 1 cup castor sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla essence, some cinnamon and lemon zest to the boil, stirring constantly. Lower to a simmer. Add 2/3 cup rice. Reduce heat for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat once mixture thickens. Serve.

6. Pasta carbonara

Create a creamy carbonara sauce: fry chopped garlic, strips of ham and sliced mushroom until tender. Whisk light evaporated milk and eggs in a bowl. Season with pepper. Add egg mixture and mushroom mixture to hot cooked pasta and toss together. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve immediately.

7. Easy banana custard

Bake a delicious banana custard: boil a 375ml can of light evaporated milk and 1 cup water. Lower to a simmer and slowly stir in 2 whisked egg yolks, 1/4 cup castor sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla essence. Pour custard into an ovenproof dish over 2 chopped bananas. Place in a baking dish half-filled with hot water. Bake for 45 minutes at 160ºC or until set. Sprinkle with nutmeg and serve with chopped fruit.

8. Lovely laksa

Throw together a quick laksa: cook chicken, tofu or seafood in laksa paste diluted with a little water. Mix in coconut-flavoured light evaporated milk, fish sauce and mixed vegetables. When vegetables are tender, pour sauce over cooked noodles, and serve topped with bean sprouts and shredded carrot.

9. Cream substitute

For a guilt-free version of a classic, replace cream with light evaporated milk in recipes such as panna cotta and crème brûlée.

10. Healthier cakes

Next time you bake a cake or cheesecake, replace milk with light evaporated milk. Not only will the cake be creamier and fuller, it will have more calcium and protein. Serve with chopped fresh fruit.