Clearing the decks

browneyedbazzi

dlusman wrote: »

Dried herbs and spices last for years. I have used stuff at least 3 years beyond its best before date

True, although I found over Christmas that my garlic powder which is past the date has gone funky so it is destined for the bin (why I put it back in the cupboard instead of just binning it then is beyond me, but it's definitely going in the bin this weekend when I have my clear out!).

If dried herbs have been kept in a closed container they should be fine - just smell them before you use them. If the scent has gone the flavour probably has too so it might be time to replace them. They won't make you ill or anything but might not improve the taste of what you're cooking much!

Soworried

I had to bin my garlic powder as it was a set hard lump that wouldn't even separate when I bashed it with a knife :rotfl:



I used up a little bit of the curry sauce paste mountain and rice.

[Deleted User]

I am shopping from my food stocks and discovered a tin of grapefruit at the back this morning half of which I had for breakfast and the other half is for tomorrows breakfast It was dated BB 2010 but tasted fine:):)
I am using up as much as I can before buying anything else if I can help it this month So far I have only shopped once this month and then only bought essentials and spent just over £18.00, so its win-win for me this month :):)
Why on earth did I buy so many tins of mushy peas last year (Oh yes the mushy tinned pea war was on, at 3p a tin is was a bargain :)) memo to myself Must use them up :):)and make some room in my cupboards .Mind you their dated BB 2017 so its not too much of a problem :):)

Soworried

I loved those tes co mushy peas Jackie :T We had them about 3 times a week for a couple of months :rotfl:
They made a great mushy pea curry and a great ham and pea soup I think I put some recipes using them on the £7 a week thread.

kerri_gt

soworried I'll rehome the cornflour and the tea bags :rotfl:

I too have rock hard garlic powder but used so little I'm loathed to bin it. It's in a Doritos jar which obviously isn't air tight enough esp as the kettle is underneath that cupboard.

I have some stuffed vine leaves bought back as a holiday gift from someone, they are about two years past their best before date but I feel guilty about chucking them

Soworried

kerri_gt wrote: »

soworried I'll rehome the cornflour and the tea bags :rotfl:

I too have rock hard garlic powder but used so little I'm loathed to bin it. It's in a Doritos jar which obviously isn't air tight enough esp as the kettle is underneath that cupboard.

I have some stuffed vine leaves bought back as a holiday gift from someone, they are about two years past their best before date but I feel guilty about chucking them

I would have to chuck them _pale_:rotfl:

Nothing used from the cupboards today.

kerri_gt

Soworried wrote: »

I would have to chuck them _pale_:rotfl:

Nothing used from the cupboards today.

I am feeling inspired for a kitchen tidy this weekend so might just do that. I never have, and don't think I ever will have any urge for vine leaves such that I should keep them for emergencies :rotfl:

kerri_gt

Vine leaves have been binned, as have garlic granules and onion powder...both solid. Just wiped out the bottom shelf where all our sauces and spices etc are. Random items located

Tube of wasabi paste (actually from japan)
Jar of rendang paste (from sainsburys recipe that wasn't very nice)
Two sachets of instant tea (also from Japan, purchased for travel emergencies)
Packet of stuffing mix (from a hamper set, forgot it was there)

We 'only' have one double cupboard of food stuffs so I tend to know what's in there....or that shelf at least....even if I don't know what I'm going to do with it!

Soworried

Do you feel guilty? :rotfl::A

Today we have used 2 packets of noodles, not a great dent but at least it's something used up

kerri_gt

I didn't feel too awful about the garlic powder and onion granules as the only thing they are really good for was a door stop.

Went through another couple of shelves

One burrito kit best before end sept 2012
One enchilada kit also best before end 2012

These have kinda got left as OH turned veggie on me. However, I've now got them down from the top shelf and assuming the tortillas are ok, will use up.

Random item in question...jar of unopened pickled onions....best before oct 2011 :eek: used to have a thing for them but rather gone off them now. Sure they would be ok but really not sure I will use them.

Quite enjoying making a list of items I need to replace, NOT the vine leaves. And items I need in order to use other things up.