Don't Throw Food Away Challenge 2012

Cazzdevil

Chuffed to pieces already. I had a wee smidgin of haggis leftover that my mother gave me so that went on a pizza last night (using a homemade base I had in the freezer). For any of you who doubt haggis on a pizza, I assure you it's an unknown delight!

I also had a cup with 5 egg whites in leftover from when I made custard for a trifle on Monday and was determined not to waste those so they got turned into a (giant) pavlova last night which also meant I didn't wast the half tub of whipping cream I had left too! I've got deconstructed eton mess in a tub today for after my lunch - defrosted summer berries in the bottom, couple of spoons of whipping cream spread on top then a few bits of broken up meringue to top it off. Yummers, I can't wait!

Tonights things-to-not-waste include 2 bags of raw chestnuts and lots of parsnips. I'm thinking defrost and skin some sausages from the freezer to make chestnut stuffing (which will then be wrapped in the streaky bacon I also have in the fridge) and maybe potato and parsnip mash to go with.

I LOVE this no waste challenge, it forces you to get a bit creative.

Firemunchkin

This is a great idea, one which I think is about time in our house. We're pretty good with saving money on our shopping and not throwing stuff out but sometimes it's just having the thought to do something with it.

I'm not sure about saving peelings for stock, as I don't see it as a waste to put peelings into the council compost (we're also allowed to put any off the bone meat in there, great for the fatty bits I won't eat). As I understand it, our council artificially compost the lot and use it in council maintained gardens etc, so it's not really wasted.

I will, however, start to blanch & freeze more veg which is past its best. We get organic veg boxes delivered every week and sometimes there's stuff which we get week in week out and get a bit sick and tired of (recently - sprouts and suede) and things I just don't like and won't eat (cauliflower). I find that broccoli turns yellow quicker than I'd like too. I hate throwing it all out so can I just check with the lady who makes stock that if I blanch and freeze these things until I have enough that it will make a decent stock? I'll check up recipes for stock making but can I put any veg in? What about tomatoes? I've got an old half bag of frozen veg left by an old lodger too so I'll put that in the mix. I make chicken stock whenever I have enough carcasses, I have one in the freezer at the moment, and then freeze in old soup pots.

Feeling all inspired last night after reading through this forum I did an inventory of my freezer and fridge, and tonight I'll do the cupboards. I'm glad to say there's nothing which needs throwing out. I found 2 half packs of frozen tortilla wraps and 1/2 pot of soured cream (past the use by date but there's no mould and it smells fine) so we'll do chicken fajitas for dinner and use the 2 slightly soft tomatoes in the fridge sliced up and griddled too. Before yesterday I would have just throw the pot of cream out.

I tend to freeze some veg & fruit so I have some blanched carrots ready and chillis from our chilli plant (they freeze REALLY well, the plant only cost £2.50 and I've got a margarine pot of excellent chillies that will last at least 6 months, pretty good value when you consider the cost in the supermarket). Also have 3 different sorts of frozen breadcrumbs, and loads of fresh herbs (find they work fine in recipes calling for fresh herbs).

I've got some frozen mini-plum crumbles that I made with some past their best plums a few months back, baked in old Gu pots which came with plastic lids (I was smart enough to keep them), and some strawberry coulis made from strawberries no longer good enough to eat fresh. Great for desserts. Also got 3 portions of frozen chicken, leek & mushroom pie for work lunches, and 2 portions of homemade pesto made from slightly going kale.

I've got various soft apples in the fridge so I'll make a big crumble tonight, I have the family coming round next weekend for dinner so that will be a perfect dessert.

There are various bread-based frozen bits like a pitta bread, 2 slices of fruit loaf, a bagel, 2 brown rolls - all of which I'll use as snacks over weekends. The slice of smoked salmon I've got in the freezer I can defrost and use in a pasta dish I think.

I'm going to find ways to use up the taramind paste and nasi goreng paste in the fridge, the green olives (tomato-based pasta dish), capers and opened jar of beetroot (salads).

The things I'm not sure what to do with are the following:

- frozen packet of cooked mussels in garlic sauce (left by an old lodger)
- bag of frozen soya beans (the OH doesn't like them)
-2 processed beef burgers (left over from a BBQ, we're unlikely to want to eat these as we don't eat processed food)
- frozen apricots and nectarines (about 2 years old, chopped into pieces, had thought I'd make a crumble or something with them but does anybody have any other ideas or know whether they'll be ok when I defrost them, i.e. will they just go brown and mushy and icky?)
- leftover cheese from Christmas - a bit of brie and 1/2 small round of goats cheese. Not enough to make a sandwich with, and I'm fed up of cheese & crackers. Any other ideas?
- handful of curly kale - not enough to make into a meal for two, and it shrinks to virtually nothing so seems a bit pointless for a stir-fry.
- pureed tinned peaches - tried making billinis for a Christmas party, it didn't work. Still got 1/2 pot of the pureed stuff, it smells ok, isn't mouldy, but haven't a clue what to do with it!

Thanks for reading everyone, sorry it's lengthy, promise any following posts here from me won't be so long!

My target for Jan is to not throw out more than £5, but as this is my first time it will take a bit of practice to remember to log each throw out and get used to how it works. Do I log absolutely EVERYTHING?

Cheers, Vic

Kylieminoag

Devastated to find a rice pudding pot with a prechristmas sell by date and a blown lid at the back of the fridge.... I'm never buyin another!! :mad:

Other than that am quite chuffed with having to invent new dishes to use leftovers... apart from the grape jelly which turned into grape toffee by accident and tasted foul.

I'm now having to make 3rd generation leftovers though.... gammon left over became carbonara sauce and the leftover went into a quiche but what do I do with the leftover quiche? Guess I'll freeze it til inspiration hits! :money:

Thanks everyone for all your great ideas.:T

debbiedeejay

Need to catch up on reading posts but I must admit first to having to throw away some ham that was now slimey & green (nearly put it in sarnie) -was over 10 days old and whoopsied at that - guess about 35p.

Need2bthrifty

I'm not part of your challenge but I love reading through how inventive you all are with all sorts of ingredients - will defo try the haggis pizza, what with Burns Day coming up at the end of the month.

I just wondered if anybody had any ideas what they would do with leftover Pate? - you know you buy it in for visitors and only a small amount gets eaten.

Because I am cooking for one and have two kinds leftover, a smooth and a course (about 150g each, 1 chicken based, 1 pork based) and getting really fed up of toast & pate for breakfast, pate and roast veg sandwiches for lunch, crackers and pate for snacks - what would you do with some of the leftovers.

I do love Tornadoes Rossini at my fav Italian restaurant, but I'm not blowing the budget to get a fillet steak to have with my pate.

Any advice gratefully accepted.

topgranny

Although I haven't previously signed up to this thread, I have managed to cut food wastage to a minimum over the past two or three months. Imagine my horror at having to throw out a good portion of turkey breast a couple of days ago. I had intended to make a turkey and almond bake for me and hubby but somehow things kept coming up and we never got round to making it. The real horror is that I had already frozen a mix of turkey and ham to make a pie later - so why on earth didn't I freeze this piece too!:mad:

Will definitely be thinking more about what I'm doing from now on.

Willow92

You could use it as a pasta filling like ravioli?

sistercas

had roasted sweet potato and new baby potatoes for tea tonight which have in the fridge since before xmas - tasted fine

cheeswright

frozen packet of cooked mussels in garlic sauce (left by an old lodger)boil in bag - serive wiith crusty bread and v cold white wine ?
- bag of frozen soya beans (the OH doesn't like them) liquidise and throw in shepherds pie with mince - will not notice them
-2 processed beef burgers (left over from a BBQ, we're unlikely to want to eat these as we don't eat processed food)
- frozen apricots and nectarines (about 2 years old, chopped into pieces, had thought I'd make a crumble or something with them but does anybody have any other ideas or know whether they'll be ok when I defrost them, i.e. will they just go brown and mushy and icky?) bung in bottle of vodka - first removing large swig to make room - add sugar leave for 3 months - then make really good billinins - will be soft but not mushy
- leftover cheese from Christmas - a bit of brie and 1/2 small round of goats cheese. Not enough to make a sandwich with, and I'm fed up of cheese & crackers. Any other ideas? chop roughly throw into a small quiche - with some lefttover crispy bacon bits - throw in the rind too by the way
- handful of curly kale - not enough to make into a meal for two, and it shrinks to virtually nothing so seems a bit pointless for a stir-fry.
- pureed tinned peaches - tried making billinis for a Christmas party, it didn't work. Still got 1/2 pot of the pureed stuff, it smells ok, isn't mouldy, but haven't a clue what to do with it! chuck in jelly mix and set - or stir into custard or plain fromage frais - easy fool

wannabee_in_credit

I might be sick if I have to eat any more stir fry veg. I bought a huge bag and have eaten it every day for 3 days but I've really had enough now.