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

canidothis

Why can I never leave things alone? I melted some stray leftover christmas chocolates, added butter, golden syrup, sultanas, the end of a pack of luxury dried fruit....going well so far, than I went and added the dregs of a crunchy cereal....then found out it isnt so crunchy anymore!! I have now got a definitely stale fridge cake setting in the fridge. I bet they all moan and none of it will get eaten and then I'll end up throwing it all out:o . Sometimes I wonder why I bother .

Patchwork_Quilt

Elliebee wrote: »

We don't bother heating the wine, we just put it in a plastic box and remember to make sure it's the right way up in the freezer. Most of it will freeze and the juicy bits can be tipped in the first time we use it. I just carve a chunk out with a spoon.

That's possibly a better way to do it - I'd tried to freeze mine in an ice cube tray before realising it wouldn't freeze hard. Does it keep any less time because it's still slushy, or does the alcohol preserve it anyway?

Erm, it doesn't last very long in our house because its always going in something. I think the longest I've had any is about 2 months.

Patchwork_Quilt

I have dragged a pot of blackberry and apple and a piece of leftover shortcrust pastry from the freezer and will make a pie tomorrow. I suspect there is not enough pastry to do base and top so will use some of the packet of puff pastry in the fridge[/quote]

The other day I was in the same position so I used 1oz butter, 2oz flour and 1 tablespoon of sugar to make a crumble topping. Might save breaking into your puff pastry

coco2972

Just want to say I love this thread and it has inspired me to start using up my left overs (one of my many New Years resolutions!!). I normally lurk, but I have had a great week and wanted to share with you all!

Last Sunday I cooked a Roast Chicken (only a small one) and managed to stretch it. Monday we had the cold chicken legs with bubble & squeak made with Sundays leftovers. We also had 3 days of sandwiches from the chicken. I had a few rashers of streaky bacon left over so cooked them until crispy and used in the chicken sandwiches with a bit of mayo - yum!

On Wednesday I had some tortilla wraps that needed using up so I defrosted some chilli and wrapped it in the tortilla, then placed in an oven dish covered with a packet of salsa I found in the cupboard and the last of the cheese from the fridge. After 25 mins in the oven this was served with some sour cream. Absolutely delicious and all from stuff I already had!

Last night we had some cooked meat (pork) that neede eating so I made Pork Fried rice with a couple of sorry looking peppers, a tin of stir fry veg, basmati rice, a couple of eggs and a sauce made from soy, sweet chilli sauce and sesame oil. Again yummy and all stuff I had in the house!

Just about to do a meal plan for this week and will try to keep to the same resourceful tactics!!

EssexHebridean

Pastry now all used up - I even patched the trimmings of the puff pastry back together again and rolled out to make an extra pasty. Two eaten for tea tonight (they were potato, carrot, cheese and onion in the end) and two will be frozen for future use. :T

dreamyd

It should be ok . Try chucking a couple of strands into a mug of of just boiled water for a minute and give them a taste.

Raksha

canidothis wrote: »

Why can I never leave things alone? I melted some stray leftover christmas chocolates, added butter, golden syrup, sultanas, the end of a pack of luxury dried fruit....going well so far, than I went and added the dregs of a crunchy cereal....then found out it isnt so crunchy anymore!! I have now got a definitely stale fridge cake setting in the fridge. I bet they all moan and none of it will get eaten and then I'll end up throwing it all out:o . Sometimes I wonder why I bother .

Send it to me, OR remelt it and pour it over vanilla ice cream.

bibbly

This thread is an inspiration, though I've only managed to read about 15 pages worth so far!

I have just made soup from brocolli stems and some green beans that I got on offer yesterday and it's delicious! I didn't have any vegetable stock cubes so just put in some chicken gravy instead! (Even 2 out of the 3 children like it!!)

Thank you!

dizzypink

I have just cooked way too much pearl barley in with the lamb casserole. Who knew it really did swell up that much, think overflowing porridge pot and you might come close.:D
Just fished it out but dont want to throw it away. Any ideas on what I could do with it other than freeze it for the next casserole.

Patchwork_Quilt

Could you use the pearl barley like rice with something over it?

Made apple snow yesterday with three old baking apples -

Peel apples, slice and put in microwave for 5 mins. Watch out because mine foamed up rather a lot.
Meanwhile, separate 2 eggs. Whip the whites until they form stiff peaks.
Whip the egg yolks into the apple, with 1 tablespoon sugar.
Fold 2 tablespoons sugar into the egg whites, then spoon on top.
Bake at Gas 4, 160 fan oven until top is golden brown, about 35 mins in my oven.

If you are lucky, you can use the same dish for the apple all the way through and the same beaters on the whisk.

I like this recipe better than apple meringue because it uses up the yolks.