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

OrkneyStar

andan wrote: »

Actually i was just looking at the recepies and it got me thinking, is there are staple products i should make sure i always have in so that i know i can always make a meal with it? Sorry if that sounds really dumb, but i've never really thought about food in this way before.

I know that its probably a good idea to have pasta, rice and potatoes in but am a bit lost after that. If anyone could point me to a thread or give me some pointers that would be great.

Lentils or other pulses (soup, stew bases, curry/dhal bases etc), all purpose herbs (dried will do)/chilli/garlic (in any form that keeps), sea salt, black pepper, sugar, canned tomatoes/passata/tom puree, dried or canned beans (dried ones do mean planning beforehand to soak), cans/frozen veg, canned tuna, stock/stock cubes/powder, UHT milk for cooking, olive oil/veg oil or both, worcester sauce, soy sauce- am sure there are more that others can add but always have most of those above at least!

Olliebeak

highland_fling wrote: »

:question: Hi everybody,

this is my very first question on this forum. I wonder if anyone can tell me if it is safe to use potatoes that have started to sprout. This sometimes happens as I tend to buy a bag and never use them quickly enough.

Someone told me they cannot be used.
Hate to keep throwing them out, know I should buy fewer at a time but live in the country and don't have access to shops everyday.

:think:
thanks
highland fling

I darn well hope they can - because I use them all the time :rolleyes: . There's only 2 of us - so potatoes are often hanging around long enough to sprout - but we're still here to tell the tale. The only potatoes that I won't use are ones that have 'gone green'. Have you thought about cooking them up when you first buy them and then portioning them into containers for use when needed? Margarine tubs or takeaway containers are useful for this.

I'd like to add that I've started buying frozen sliced peppers instead of the fresh ones for using in casseroles etc. I am sick of paying extortionate prices for whole peppers and then finding that they've gone horrible in the bottom of the fridge a couple of days later. A bag of mixed sliced peppers (red/yellow/green/orange) is only £1.10 - far better than paying 85p each for them :eek: . Of course they're absolutely no use at all if you're wanting to do stuffed peppers - but with those there's no left-over bits .

purpleivy

10past6 wrote: »

Hi peeps

I have 4 carrot & corriander muffins that I made today, however, I forgot to add sugar to the mixture, hence the muffins don't taste right, any suggestions what I can do with them?

eat them with butter and cheese?

OrkneyStar

Olliebeak wrote: »

I darn well hope they can - because I use them all the time :rolleyes: . There's only 2 of us - so potatoes are often hanging around long enough to sprout - but we're still here to tell the tale. The only potatoes that I won't use are ones that have 'gone green'. Have you thought about cooking them up when you first buy them and then portioning them into containers for use when needed? Margarine tubs or takeaway containers are useful for this.

I'd like to add that I've started buying frozen sliced peppers instead of the fresh ones for using in casseroles etc. I am sick of paying extortionate prices for whole peppers and then finding that they've gone horrible in the bottom of the fridge a couple of days later. A bag of mixed sliced peppers (red/yellow/green/orange) is only £1.10 - far better than paying 85p each for them :eek: . Of course they're absolutely no use at all if you're wanting to do stuffed peppers - but with those there's no left-over bits .

Agree totally on the potato thing, I often end up chopping sprouty bits off first lol
I used to buy frozen peppers but had forgotten about them- thanks for reminding me.
I often buy the pepper 3 pack from LIDL (checking no dodgy ones mind), often I end up chopping some of each one up and freezing little portions. If you think your pepper is about to go then chop chop chop and freeze in little bags/pots. Saves time too when cooking as they ready chopped

andan

Thanks Ceridwen and OrkneyStar for your advice re staple products to have, its very helpful and i may start buying a few weekly until i have most of them, then its time to get creative.

Olliebreak, may start copying your advice regarding the peppers, thats exactly what i have at the bottom of the fridge. I buy them to do chicken fajitas and stir frys, but then never use them up enough. A frozen bag would be much better.

highland_fling_2

Olliebeak wrote: »

I darn well hope they can - because I use them all the time :rolleyes: . There's only 2 of us - so potatoes are often hanging around long enough to sprout - but we're still here to tell the tale. The only potatoes that I won't use are ones that have 'gone green'. Have you thought about cooking them up when you first buy them and then portioning them into containers for use when needed? Margarine tubs or takeaway containers are useful for this.

I'd like to add that I've started buying frozen sliced peppers instead of the fresh ones for using in casseroles etc. I am sick of paying extortionate prices for whole peppers and then finding that they've gone horrible in the bottom of the fridge a couple of days later. A bag of mixed sliced peppers (red/yellow/green/orange) is only £1.10 - far better than paying 85p each for them :eek: . Of course they're absolutely no use at all if you're wanting to do stuffed peppers - but with those there's no left-over bits .

Thanks very much for the prompt reply.

That's put my mind at rest. I do sometimes freeze them or use them up on shepherds pie etc for freezing but sometimes if my freezer is a bit full I try to use space for more expensive foodstuffs that are on sale or I have bought in large quantities and therefore I am sorry to say I choose to sacrifice the poor humble potato.


highland fling :j

OrkneyStar

andan wrote: »

Thanks Ceridwen and OrkneyStar for your advice re staple products to have, its very helpful and i may start buying a few weekly until i have most of them, then its time to get creative.

Olliebreak, may start copying your advice regarding the peppers, thats exactly what i have at the bottom of the fridge. I buy them to do chicken fajitas and stir frys, but then never use them up enough. A frozen bag would be much better.

Yeah, when I moved up here I had nothing left stock cupboard wise as had used it all up in the last few weeks prior to move. I just bought a few wee extra things each shop, like one bag dried veg here, and then one pack something else next time. Also if you meal plan then you will find that you might just need a wee drop of something to make a meal (eg chilli powder) and will have the rest for next time.

galadriel

mumzyof2 wrote: »

May i join this challenge from tomorrow? May i also copy GALADRIEL's sig "June wastage approx £X.XX"?

Of course you can, I thought it would make me stop and think twice now before chucking stuff out if I could see the total every time I post.

Today have used up some manky broccoli, a tub of fromage frais - use by yesterday and some quark cheese to make a pasta bake - it's not one of my best concoctions but hey. Veg and dairy products are the main things I need to keep an eye on.

OrkneyStar

galadriel wrote: »

Of course you can, I thought it would make me stop and think twice now before chucking stuff out if I could see the total every time I post.

Today have used up some manky broccoli, a tub of fromage frais - use by yesterday and some quark cheese to make a pasta bake - it's not one of my best concoctions but hey. Veg and dairy products are the main things I need to keep an eye on.

Hi,
I hope you don't mind- I thought it would be great to have wastage monitored on my sig too and have added that. It is a great idea to really get things in perspective. Loving all the non-wastage ideas :T

galadriel

highland_fling wrote: »

:question: Hi everybody,

this is my very first question on this forum. I wonder if anyone can tell me if it is safe to use potatoes that have started to sprout. This sometimes happens as I tend to buy a bag and never use them quickly enough.

Someone told me they cannot be used.
Hate to keep throwing them out, know I should buy fewer at a time but live in the country and don't have access to shops everyday.

:think:
thanks
highland fling

Yes - no problem. I used to buy a big sack of potatoes when we were a family of five and very often when you got to the bottom of the bag they had started to sprout. We are still all alive and kicking .