The "what can I do with this" or "kitchen cupboard bugbear" thread

mcculloch29

I have posted this link elsewhere on MSE so apologies if you have seen it, but I came across some very good Nigel Slater recipes for different ways of spaghetti earlier. My DS loves Spag Bol so we had it weekly when he was at home.

He's been in his own place for a couple of years, and Spag Bol has dropped away, not quite totally off the menu but I am not as big a fan.

I have some spaghetti sat in the cupboard that could be used up more imaginatively so this was a welcome discovery (Guardian website).

Nargleblast

McCulloch so glad the chocolate recipe turned out well for you, it's a bit like eating some posh 85% dark chocolate that costs an arm and a leg in the shops. Also you know what is in it, no chemical nasties. Now take that recipe and play with it at your leisure!

Nargleblast

Incidentally, credit where it's due, I got the idea from a blog by a lady who combines budget shopping and cooking with trying to feed her family healthy stuff. Google Lady Choppington's Shopping Wagon.

pinkladyvenus

I have a bag of frozen brussel sprouts that have been taking up freezer space sense Christmas any idea what I can do with these ? I am vegetarian.

Primrose

For a quick supper you could boil them lightly, cover with with a Cheese sauce made with some good mature cheddar and sprinkle over some toasted pine nuts. Serve with some crusty bread if you want some carbohydrate.

dekaspace

I have some vegetarian mince, probably just enough for one person but don't want to waste a entire jar of pasta sauce to make spaghetti bolognaise/chilli

Trying to think of something else that can go with it and still fill me up.

mcculloch29

dekaspace wrote: »

I have some vegetarian mince, probably just enough for one person but don't want to waste a entire jar of pasta sauce to make spaghetti bolognaise/chilli

Trying to think of something else that can go with it and still fill me up.

It's not very original but how about cottage pie? I mix cheese in with the mash to make it more interesting.
Or deconstruct the pie and have mince and tatties, mince and onion in gravy with mashed potato.

Burgers made by binding the mince with egg, finely chopped onion, a crumbled stock cube and a bit of flour.

I'm sure others have more exciting ideas. I do mostly use my veggie mince for spag bol, chilli and cottage pie, so am a bit stretched here.

Towser

I make leftover pie, a sort of bubble and squeak.

I regularly make it from a roast dinner. Put all the ingredients leftover from the dinner into food processor and mash lightly with sharp blade so the meat is in bitesize pieces with grated cheese. Turn into shallow baking dish and put more grated cheese on top & baked till cheese is gooiey. My husband says mmm what have I done to deserve this? As in it is really good.

Another one, was gammon, cauliflower cheese and dauphinoise potatoes
all into food processor and chopped lightly with sharp blade so the meat is in small pieces with grated cheese. Turn into shallow baking dish and put cooked penne pasta then more grated cheese on top & baked till cheese is gooiey. . Another lovely leftover pie. Again went down as a treat.

So basically all leftovers into food processor and chopped lightly with sharp blade so the meat is in small pieces with grated cheese. Turn into shallow baking dish and put more grated cheese on top & baked till cheese is gooiey. . Another lovely leftover pie.

I suppose it's like baby food with cheese on top.

Daisy_Rainbow

In the interests of money saving I'm resurrecting this thread in the hope that you lovely lot can give me some tasty & interesting suggestions on what to do with this random selection of weirdness...

Buckwheat - raw and toasted - I love this but am stuck for ideas as I usually make salads, which I'm not fancying atm
Moringa Powder - hideous, any suggestions for hiding the taste?
Cassava flour
Coconut flour
6 individual bags of frozen smoothie mix (apart from smoothies due to lack of sunshine in this part of the world)
A tin of smoked oysters, and one of smoked mussels :eek:

Couscous - not strange I know, but I have realised that I cant stand the stuff. It tastes like the bottom of budgies cage. I only bought it because I was trying to be all frugal and make cheap work lunches. Does anyone have a magic spell to transform it into something halfway edible please?

I have most herbs, spices, flavourings etc and there isn't a lot I don't like (except tinned smoked shellfish, see above)

That's just for starters, there are loads more unspeakable delights to test you :rotfl:

Any suggestions welcome thanks guys

mcculloch29

Daisy_Rainbow wrote: »

In the interests of money saving I'm resurrecting this thread in the hope that you lovely lot can give me some tasty & interesting suggestions on what to do with this random selection of weirdness...

Buckwheat - raw and toasted - I love this but am stuck for ideas as I usually make salads, which I'm not fancying atm
Moringa Powder - hideous, any suggestions for hiding the taste?
Cassava flour
Coconut flour
6 individual bags of frozen smoothie mix (apart from smoothies due to lack of sunshine in this part of the world)
A tin of smoked oysters, and one of smoked mussels :eek:

Couscous - not strange I know, but I have realised that I cant stand the stuff. It tastes like the bottom of budgies cage. I only bought it because I was trying to be all frugal and make cheap work lunches. Does anyone have a magic spell to transform it into something halfway edible please?

I have most herbs, spices, flavourings etc and there isn't a lot I don't like (except tinned smoked shellfish, see above)

That's just for starters, there are loads more unspeakable delights to test you :rotfl:

Any suggestions welcome thanks guys

Buckwheat can be used instead of rice in risottos.

Smoked mussels and oysters would be very at home in a paella or seafood risotto. Or as a topping for a seafood pizza.

I find bland, boring couscous far more palatable when made up with Oxo stock, and a hefty glug of brown sauce. Brown sauce is great for adding a spicy zap to a lot of things. A!di's own brand is excellent. I use it instead of stir-fry sauce for flavouring noodles, for example. It's not a million miles away in flavour from oyster sauce.

Frozen smoothie mix might make an interesting layer for a fruit trifle, when defrosted.

Coconut flour could probably be used half and half with ordinary flour in a whole range of biscuit and cake recipes.