Don't Throw Food Away Challenge 2012

rumblytum

Mroning everyone,

I'd like to join this challenge. I'm tackling my debts, doing the grocery challenge etc, so this will really help with all those things.

I had a bit of a wake up call, as I've been sorting out my kitchen cupboards and finding all sorts of lurking things that are way past their use by dates which I've ditched, so I'm going to try to be more conscious of things I don't use a lot of and use it up.

How much store do you set by use by dates for nuts and herbs?

rumbly x

Tiggy10

Hi all,

I'd love to join, I hate wasting food and im trying to get better!!

My mum gave me some frozen spinach as she wasnt going to eat it. I put some of it into a curry, but what else can i do with it. It doesnt taste quite as nice as fresh!!

mon1o

well i have to admit to the shame of throwing 3 potatoes today - starting to sprout and also looking a lil green in places. dont think there was any salvaging them unfortunatley. they were baking potatoes, 60p for 4 and had to throw 3 of them so a value of £0.45! Must do better.........

squeaky

rumblytum wrote: »

How much store do you set by use by dates for nuts and herbs?

I ignore them

Mind you, herbs lose some of their flavour over time, so you need to bear that in mind.

Maisie_M

hi

I have read through this thread since finding it last week and would like to join in from this month. i cleared out all my kitchen cupboards a couple of weeks ago and did the freezers at the beginning of January so feel as though I am starting from a good place.

In saying that I know we waste a huge amount of fresh goods eg fruit, veg etc so will be concentrating on that as well as using up the huge amount of food we have in the cupboards and freezers.

As it is my first month I will go for £10 as I do not have a clue how much it will come to, but hoping to be well under.

Kylieminoag

Tiggy10 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'd love to join, I hate wasting food and im trying to get better!!

My mum gave me some frozen spinach as she wasnt going to eat it. I put some of it into a curry, but what else can i do with it. It doesnt taste quite as nice as fresh!!

One of my favourites - dead easy - hope you like it:

Fusilli with spinach, raisins and nuts

Serves 2

450g/1lbfresh spinach or frozen leaf spinach
25g/1oz raisins
40g/1 ½ oz butter
175g/6oz fusilli

25g/1oz pinenuts (I use walnuts or sunflower seeds when really broke)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
freshly grated nutmeg
fresh Parmesan cheese, grated

Put the fresh or frozen spinach into a saucepan and cook over a highheat until the spinach has wilted and is tender. Drain and add the raisins andhalf the butter and leave on one side until the pasta is done.

Cook pasta for about 8 minutes or until it is al dente. While the pastais cooking, toast the pine nuts under a hot grill ‘til golden.
Just before the pasta is ready, gently reheat the spinach. Drain thepasta, return it to the still-warm saucepan with the rest of the butter and addthe spinach mixture and the toasted pine nuts. Season with salt, pepper andfreshly grated nutmeg and serve with Parmesan.

Tiggy10

Thanks so much, that sounds amazing!! I will defo be making that next week!

rumblytum

Hi everyone,

I've got half a pack of puff pastry opened in my fridge - it's been open for two weeks - will it be ok to use, do you think?

rumbly x

Wellyboots6

Hey all,

What can I do with an open bottle of ginger wine? OH bought it but neither of us can drink it, its gross! I don't want to throw it away but can't think what to do with it

PixieDust

Harrumph. *sulks* Just harrumh.

Followed instructions to make soup with new food processor, ignoring my own better judgment. "Puree raw veg with water and knob butter, heat and serve"

Vile. _pale_ Smells vile, tastes vile. Kids keep poking the spoon in the saucepan and looking at me with pleading eyes. How can I rescue it????

Have basic veg plus mixed herbs and a tin of toms, salt & pepper. It's getting a bit better since I added the toms and herbs....but what shall I try now? I can't waste it *wails*

Me to Son: It needs something...what does it need?
Son: *sniffs* Binning

*sob*