Use it up! Don't throw it in the bin!

tubbee2

With regard to tinned food - I've always been of the opinion that unless the can is 'blown' ie, the contents have started to ferment or rot, that canned food is ok whatever the sell by date. Imho the sell by date is a con by the food manufacturers to make us buy more than we need. Feeling pretty ancient, but I can remember when sell by dates were introduced - before that when you used your senses to judge whether something was ok to eat - if it crawled out of the tin by itself or smelled like wet dog it was usually a sensible decision not to eat it.

newlywed

Right I've got lazy and been slacking again - and increasing amount of stuff has been landing in the bin (though still nowhere near a third of what we buy!!).

What can I do with about 6 slightly sad looking strawberries - other than fruit salad?

Got some other fruit but it's all frozen (raspberries, cherries, "summer fruits") except for some grapes


Oh and have a tin of uninspiring "fruit salad" lurking in the cupboard too

Chris25

if you've got bread as well, you could make a summer pudding http://www.easylivingmagazine.com/Food/Recipes/SummerPudding/Default.aspx

or shuzz up frozen fruit in blender to make smoothie (mix in a little water or milk if too thick), or sauce to go over ice cream. And throw on the fresh stawbs too.

here's a recipe using frozen summer fruits to make a mixed clafoutis rather than a cherry one http://www.channel4.com/food/recipes/popular-cuisines/french/mixed-fruits-clafoutis-with-berry-sauce-recipe_p_1.html

munchki

andan wrote: »

Well, i was doing really well with this but have been slipping of late, mainly with my pasta and rice, never seem to know what to do with it as left overs! Especially the pasta, i will make it and add a sauce, the left overs get put in the fridge, but by the next day its all dried out and i don't like cold pasta and no one else will eat it, perhaps this just serves as a reminder to myself not to make so much next time.

Am going to start putting this challenge in my sig and seeing how much food i waste a month and try and cut it down each month. Hopefully this will encourage me to eat up my left overs more and not let food go off, especially what with the credit crises, food's expensive enough as it is!!

I used to be horrible about cooking too much rice or pasta and not knowing what to do with the leftovers. I still cook to much nearly everytime but what I do now is put the cooked pasta in some cold water and pop in the fridge to be turned into a yummy pasta salad for lunches or tea, I do the same with the rice. No more waste here with them and the DOH loves having cold salads for lunch instead of sarnies!

Hope this helps a little bit :j

bobbadog

I had to throw away 2 small chocolate mousses, which I got for OH in a 6 pack a couple of weeks ago. He ate three, my Goddaughter ate one, but I couldn't face the last two (I didn't want to discourage OH eating fruit instead of chocolate treats either!) In retrospect, I should have decanted and tried freezing.

Other than that, all good here. Have gotten OH into pasta salad with his lunches, using up any leftovers. Bit of a treat, bless him! x

bobbadog

blahn wrote: »

I'm just curious as to whether anyone would strongly discourage eating pasta past its best before date? I just found two packets of wholemeal spaghetti with a best before of May 2007. I realise that's more than a year now, but I was actually planning on buying some to try soon so it would save me quite a bit.

I wouldn't hestitate to eat out of date pasta, so long as it was nice and sealed x

newlywed

Chris25 wrote: »

if you've got bread as well, you could make a summer pudding http://www.easylivingmagazine.com/Food/Recipes/SummerPudding/Default.aspx

Ugh no - mum used to make that continually in summer when we were young - all that soggy white bread - no ta!! (And yet I like hot bread and butter pudding and bread pudding )

Clafoutis is a good idea though - thanks!

And smoothies - duh i have lolly molds :doh:Using the some of the frozen fruit should clear some space to fit the molds in the freezer

BigMummaF

I've had 'help' today....I KNOW I should be pleased, cuz they don't do nearly enough for themselves let alone help with housework.....but a cabbage, several nanas & some apples have been thrown:(

Guess it's my fault too, for letting them sit in the fruit basket, but at least I'm starting the month with a completely clean slate.......& kitchen worktops:D

windowshopper100

Careful_with_that_Axe wrote: »

I once went on holiday for 10 days and forgot I had left some bread dough rising in the airing cupboard :rolleyes: :eek:

Having visions of you not being able to get into the front door.....

Will be having a go at the pastryless quiche, sounds really good.

Thanks, Careful.

highland_fling_2

hi everyone
really disappointed,:( have had to throw out half a tub of pate and some dip. Why is it that there is always one dip in the selection that no one likes. I was doing so well. Will have to be stricter at using up food that has been already opened before opening other options.
Still will look on the bright side I did manage to use up "brown bananas" in a tray of muffins this morning and my food wastage has dropped remarkably.:j
Tomorrow is another day!