Corn Flour

JadedAngel88

I have some corn flour that has a use by/best before date of April 2022.

I have quite a bit left and wondered if there are any recipes, other than custard and pavlova as I make them already, that I can use it for. 

I have read that it can last beyond the use by date for about another 6-8 months but I don't think that would make a dent in it. It is only a normal size box that I bought from the supermarket. 

Any idea's, I mean, I really don't mind making custard and pavlova but I think it might get a bit boring after a while.

joedenise

I'd just carry on using it for whatever you want to.  I bought a huge bag about 5 years ago and it's still going strong.  I use it mainly for making sauces and thickening stews.

YorksLass

How about using it to thicken gravy or sauces?  If you make your own fish fingers, chicken gougons etc that need "breading" you can use it as a "wash" instead of beaten egg to help the breadcrumbs stick on.  And yes, it does last a lot longer than it says on the packaging.

bouicca21

What is there to go off?  I’d just keep on using it.

in addition to thickening stews, I use it in place of some of the flour if I make shortbread.

Mistral001

I add it to the apples in an apple tart.  As well as mixing it in along with the apples sprinkling a table spoon or two over the pastry base will help prevent the base getting soggy.

Slinky

Same here, I've got a box that's gone out of date, bought after the previous one ran out that was about 5 years out of date. At Christmas I made gravy with gravy granules that are 2 years out of date. We only ever use gravy at Christmas!

yksi

You can use it where others might have used talcum powder! 

theoretica

Tossing potatoes in it before frying makes them nice and crispy.

PipneyJane

The date is a “Best Before” not a “Use By”.  With dried goods, like cornflour, the best before is really an appraisal of the packaging by the manufacturer.  Do they think the packaging will last longer than date printed on it?  Yes, but they won’t risk their insurance on it.  

Flour does not go “off”.  It gets damp or full of bugs if not stored properly, but it does not go off.  The cornflour in my cupboard is at least 14 years old, if not longer, and is still perfectly useable.  (I bought an industrial sized container back in the day.)

- Pip

JadedAngel88

Sorry for taking so long to come back but I thank you all for your advice and comments.

I will just keep using it, I didn't want to just throw it away as it seemed like such a waste. I guess I'll just have to keep making pavlova, I have no argument with that, and definitely try some of the other suggestions. 

Thank you 😊 

PipneyJane

JadedAngel88 said:

Sorry for taking so long to come back but I thank you all for your advice and comments.

I will just keep using it, I didn't want to just throw it away as it seemed like such a waste. I guess I'll just have to keep making pavlova, I have no argument with that, and definitely try some of the other suggestions. 

Thank you 😊 

Any excuse for a pavlova works for me, @JadedAngel88.  

Enjoy!

- Pip