No Waste Tastes Great – 14 Jan 2011

Friday is No Waste Tastes Great over at simplybeingmum.

As part of my simple family life,  I try to ensure that there is very little, if any food waste.

I’ve always been a meal planner, even before I started on my journey toward a simpler family life (almost two years now). So when I stumbled across Food Waste Friday over at The Frugal Girl (an excellent blog written by Kristen), it added a new, measurable and fun dimension to my weekly plan.

No Waste Tastes Great was born!

Those who follow my blog will know

1. That I meal plan for 6 lunches and evening meals each week and leave Friday free.
2. On Friday morning I allow 1-2 hours after the school run to follow my Friday routine.
3. My on-line grocery shop arrives Saturday morning, so I use up any perishables to feed the family on a Friday (with varying degrees of success!) – this is my No Waste Tastes Great Challenge
4. If I do not have anything to use up (and this hasn’t happened since beginning the challenge in October) the Hubby and I get a take-away…

So what did I discover in the fridge/cupboard this morning?

Sitting in anticipation were:

4 x Skinless/Boneless Chicken Thighs (Free Range)

4 x Small Red Chillies

Bunch of Spring Onions

1 x Small Pot of Double Cream

Some Fresh Root Ginger

Half a Tin of Custard

2 x Large Carrots

4 x White Potatoes

2 x Slices of Ham

4 x Slices of Bread

I had planned to slow cook Butter Chicken earlier this week hence the abundance of quality ingredients left over! Butter Chicken takes quite a while to prep and also to cook, and a couple of things came up that I hadn’t scheduled in the diary… so the Butter Chicken took a back-seat. Lesson learnt here me thinks!

I also do not have time to make the Butter Chicken today as I am going to my dear Grandma’s scattering of her ashes this morning….

The Potatoes, Carrots and Ham will make a great quick meal for the Kids after school/nursery, and can be quickly prepared in the steamer. They’ll have custard and chocolate sprinkles for pud.

Then the plan is to take the Chicken, Chilli’s, Onion and Ginger and make a tasty orange infused Chinese (kind of style) stir fry tonight for the Hubby and I. With a nice glass of crisp wine to finish it off.

As I have some double cream left over (bit of a luxury!), it’s time to make that firm favourite and so very simple recipe – Baileys Bread and Butter pudding with extra cream. This will use the bread up nicely also.

Leaving me with a beautifully clean and almost empty small fridge waiting to be filled with next weeks delights…

So beautiful, uncluttered and organised it brings a tear to my eye

🙂

How’s your fridge looking this Friday Guys? Much to use up? Please do ask if you need any inspiration, or share your tips on how to use up ingredients to reduce food waste…