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Minestrone is great for using up vegetables.
Tonight I'm making picadillo because I need to use up a pepper and some potatoes. |
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I saw this on a cooking show but haven't made it yet, but basically "freezer cleanout risotto"
Prep your broth, and drop all your frozen green things into the broth. Bring the broth up, cook/blanche the veggies, then transfer to a blender and whizz up. Make risotto, stir in the green smoothie along with some peas, cook for another few mins, at the very end add lemon zest, juice, cheese, s&p. I also make something similar but for pasta sauce. Roast whatever veggies you want, include an onion and some garlic and a lemon cut in half. Throw it all into the blender (squeeze the roasted lemon in), add the garlic, whatever spices go with the dish (bell peppers + paprika, root veggies + rosemary or thyme, squash or sweet potatoes + cumin/cinnamon, broccoli or cauli + zaatar). Bam, pasta sauce made. Make your pasta, save some pasta water, dump the smoothie into the pan and add some of the pasta water, add the pasta. |
I know it sounds strange lol but I'm getting some real satisfaction doing this. Dropping the empty container whatever it is in the trash/recycling. A little like I "accomplished" something and I guess do, I managed not to spend. |
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For me it's about going to the store more frequently, unfortunately. It takes more time, but if I'm only buying for a few days I'm much better about only getting what I need and not falling into the idea of "stocking up". I also started growing our most-used herbs in an aerogarden. Then I don't have to buy a big bunch to just get a half cup of cilantro.
To use up veggies, though, I love a sheet pan gnocchi with chicken sausage and any vegetables to roast. Fritattas are great for using up veggies. Also stir frys and fried rice with leftover rice, egg, tofu, and any veggies. |
| I just cooked a baked ziti this morning because the ricotta cheese was three days past the date (don't worry, I smelled it first). I will make chicken ramen soup to use up leftover stock. |
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Tomato dal
Cauliflower thai red curry Pizza with sautéed peppers and onion topping |
you hit a great point i am pretty good at using up food, but i am the worst at using up shampoo, body wash, lotion, etc. i need to do better! |
I save so much money like this. |