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

NemoToad

I think I would like to join in with this challenge if that's okay! I am trying really hard to not throw things away, and buy the right amount, but sometimes it doesn't work too well. It's usally just bread or veg that gets thrown away, but I think I definitely need to get better at planning meals and using things up before they go manky.

This week I have been quite good though. We had lots of different mushrooms left over from the weekend as my parents were visiting and I'd made a big veggie lasagne, and I used them up in a risotto before they went bad. We then had the left-over risotto last night as an accompaniment to omlettes (made with wilting spinach and feta that needed using for me, and cherry toms, peppers that were going softish and a few stray mushrooms for BF).

Tonight we've got cauliflower that needs using so I might make a potato and cauliflower curry, unless anyone else has any ideas?

Unfortunately I did have to throw away 4 nectarines on Monday that had gone moldy (and I'd only got them on Saturday). I'm definitely keeping them in the fridge from now on!

essexgal

NemoToad wrote: »

Tonight we've got cauliflower that needs using so I might make a potato and cauliflower curry, unless anyone else has any ideas?

That sounds yummy -

I love cauliflower and chickpea curry, or possibly cauli-cheese, or (don't laugh) I make a tomato/lentil bolognaise-style sauce to have with it and grated cheese sprinkled on top.

essexgal

**runs to fridge to see if she's got any cauliflower lurking as fancies that for tea tonight now......**

NemoToad

essexgal wrote: »

That sounds yummy -

I love cauliflower and chickpea curry, or possibly cauli-cheese, or (don't laugh) I make a tomato/lentil bolognaise-style sauce to have with it and grated cheese sprinkled on top.

essexgal

**runs to fridge to see if she's got any cauliflower lurking as fancies that for tea tonight now......**

Chick peas are possibly one of my favourite things so I might throw a can of them in as well. I'm not a huge fan of cauliflower cheese (and BF hates it) so I think that's out. The tomato/lentil thins sounds yummy. We'll probably have lentil daal (or naan if it's cheap anywhere) with the curry as rice is another thing BF won't eat much of.

Herewegoagain

Doing quite well, only small amount of waste, but to stop waste I am getting all the ? food, still, better than the bin getting it eh:rotfl: :rotfl:

ZoeGirl_3

zarazara wrote: »

ideas please! I have some left overs in the fridge
a small amount of solid set custard,a couple of portions of cooked peaches topped with spongecake which i made a couple of days ago.
some cabbage, a celery ,a few radishes and carrots and 2 shallots.
3 pots of jam each with a bit in the bottom, different fruit flavours.
In the store cupboard theres lots of herbs and spices,cereals,flour, dried chick peas etc etc

Hi Zarazara

My mum makes a lovely jam muffin, she makes a plain muffin mix with reduced sugar and then puts some in the muffin try and tops it with a tsp of jam and then covers the jam with more mix.

Will copy her recipe below if you want it:

Jam Muffins

3 cups flour (could try half plain half wholemeal if you want)
5 tsps baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
50g butter
3 eggs (or two large)
1 and a half cups milk
Jam (whatever flavours you want)

Melt the butter and whisk (or beat) in the eggs and milk. then add the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.

Half full muffin tray cups with the muffin mix and then put a tsp of jam on top of each. Then top with more mix until jam is mostly covered.

Bake at 200C for 15 mins, makes 24 medium sized muffins or 18 v large ones.
These also freeze well. :T :T :T

Also, with jam, I put it on pancakes, :P, and you can use it to sandwich plain biscuits together instead of icing them together.

You can use it on icecream as a topping, or even mix it with HM plain sugarless yoghurt as a flavouring. When there is just a little bit left in the jar you can thin down with water and freeze to make iceblocks for the kids.

You can add some to bread pudding or bread and butter pudding, or you can just eat it on toast :P

HTH :j

Claero

I've got a bag of gram flour to use up - I didn't realise the best before date was approaching. I'm not entirely sure what I can do with it though! Any ideas?

Beyond that, I've only had to chuck out two mushrooms this week, as they had gone squishy.

highland_fling_2

loopy_lass wrote: »

dont know if this is the right place, but i shop at asda latish on when all the markdowns come out.... either freeze it or use it for that days dinner. usually spend around 30 quid a week for 3 of us .

loops

I have started looking closely at markdowns and quick sale selection in supermarket too. This I feel is contributing to our "don't waste food" ethos as most of this food would be binned otherwise. Of course it means you sometimes have to adjust your menu or improvise with other ingredients but I rather enjoy doing that. It also has the added benefit of saving some money.:j

ZoeGirl_3

Just been through the fridge, ideas for hummous that needs to be used pronto?? Can freeze in sarnies, and am taking some to work with carrot sticks, but anyone have any other ideas?? TIA.

Chris25

ZoeGirl wrote: »

Hi Zarazara

Jam Muffins
3 cups flour (could try half plain half wholemeal if you want)
5 tsps baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
50g butter
3 eggs (or two large)
1 and a half cups milk
Jam (whatever flavours you want)
Melt the butter and whisk (or beat) in the eggs and milk. then add the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
Half full muffin tray cups with the muffin mix and then put a tsp of jam on top of each. Then top with more mix until jam is mostly covered.
Bake at 200C for 15 mins, makes 24 medium sized muffins or 18 v large ones.
These also freeze well.
HTH :j

I'm, going to try this today - have a half a pot of orange curd and a small amount of cherry jam to use!

smellybeki

hi all

have got half a litre of unsweetned soya milk in the fridge that needs to be used up,anyone got any ideas.(dd is on a dairy free diet but oh bought the unsweetned by mistake and she wont drink it)