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

EssexHebridean

Penny's right too - for every one on here living hand to mouth and struggling to make ends meet there is another who could afford to spend extra and waste what doesn't get eaten, but chooses not too. I probably fall squarely into that second camp - we're not rich by any means, but we have enough to get buy - it's just that we've decided now to make our money work better for us by getting debts (inc the mortgage) and the best way to do that is to ensure that waste is kept to a minimum.

Aussieonabudget

Hi all, Have to report back with shame. Threw out a whole lettuce, and 4 apricots from the veg box last weeks veg box today. Used the cherry tomatos that were looking sad on a salad tonight, and am going to check out the yogurt thats lurking in the back of the fridge thats only 2 days OOD.

Got a tesco delivery coming tonight so will have to be strict about which meals need to be made first to waste the least amount!

Everyone else is doing great, well done guys
Aussie

EssexHebridean

OH finally got around to cooking the four beetroot from the last veg box - haven't a thing to use them for though so they are destined for the freezer I think!

Olliebeak

OH is a great fan of pasta salads - especially the 'tomatoey' ones from Asda/Tesco. However, they are always marked 'use within 3 days of opening'. Now this drives me nuts :mad: - as he often buys a large tray of the stuff, I don't like it so it goes to waste.

Couple of questions for you knowledgeable ladies out there:
1. Would you stick to the 3 day limit even if the pack was still within it's 'use by date'? (could understand it on the mayonnaise-type stuff).
2. Do you think it would freeze? Again I can understand the mayonnaise one not freezing - but thought perhaps the tomato one may just be OK.

winniepooh

quick question peeps.

Can you freeze fresh strawberrys?

Been strawberry picking and We have 100's of strawberrys.:D

OrkneyStar

Hi,
Not been on this thread for a bit. Lets just say July has gone to pot- with waste being approx £5 so far :eek: , mainly due to a melon that did not ripen :mad: and DS refusing lots of things he used to like :rolleyes: . We are still thinking about whether we need something and trying to throw less away so am optimistic we will get back on track in Aug (although on hol for some of it so won't post much). Will be a lurker for the rest of July
Good luck those who are doing better than me lol
:wave:

LameWolf

Winniepooh. yes you can freeze fresh strawberries - open freeze them on a tray first to stop them sticking together.

They'll be mushy and shapeless when you defrost them, so you won't be able to do dishes of strawberries'n'cream with them, but they will taste perfectly fine, and can be happily used in summer pudding type recipes, smoothies, strawberry fools etc.

Hope this helps.;)

Cornishpixie_2

Olliebeak wrote: »

OH is a great fan of pasta salads - especially the 'tomatoey' ones from Asda/Tesco. However, they are always marked 'use within 3 days of opening'. Now this drives me nuts :mad: - as he often buys a large tray of the stuff, I don't like it so it goes to waste.

Couple of questions for you knowledgeable ladies out there:
1. Would you stick to the 3 day limit even if the pack was still within it's 'use by date'? (could understand it on the mayonnaise-type stuff).
2. Do you think it would freeze? Again I can understand the mayonnaise one not freezing - but thought perhaps the tomato one may just be OK.

You could have a quick look at ingredients and have a go at making your own. If you get the seal of approval, then you could make smaller portions. Not sure about the freezing, but sure if it smelt ok I wouldn't throw it away on the 4th day.HTH:D

got-it-spend-it

Olliebeak wrote: »

OH is a great fan of pasta salads - especially the 'tomatoey' ones from Asda/Tesco. However, they are always marked 'use within 3 days of opening'. Now this drives me nuts :mad: - as he often buys a large tray of the stuff, I don't like it so it goes to waste.

Couple of questions for you knowledgeable ladies out there:
1. Would you stick to the 3 day limit even if the pack was still within it's 'use by date'? (could understand it on the mayonnaise-type stuff).
2. Do you think it would freeze? Again I can understand the mayonnaise one not freezing - but thought perhaps the tomato one may just be OK.

I don't think it would freeze very sucessfully. I'm sure it wouldn't poison your OH but I think it be very mushy when defrosted. I agree that I would eat after three days as long as looked/ smelt ok.

I would definitely try making your own. Maybe make it with smaller pasta shapes than you would normally cook with to make it more 'authentic'. Also, from memory those types of things tend to be quite vinegary so maybe add some vinegar to your usual tomato sauce.

Let us know how you get on.

GISI

Herewegoagain

This is a great thread and becames conpaulsive, everytime I look at anything I think may be going over, or on date, I have to stop and think of you guys.
Some weeks I'm better than others but will get there. Been having a problem with melons because they quite often look ok from the outside and then when I cut them open, they are either not ripe or gone way too far! help:o