The week before last, I mentioned after our discount store and Trader Joe haul that I need to eat down the refrigerator and freezer, but also needed is to use opened boxes, bags, and partial containers in the pantry. That was the goal that week. I actually snapped a picture or two. I also tried with lunches and snacks. Covid threw a wrench in our life, but that motivated me more to stay put and not do more shopping. This is examples over a week and a half. I don't really have much plan other than to not waste.
Here's a brief use it up tally and how I incorporated bits.
- Blueberry Muffins: last of a box of baking mix, old almond milk, last of a very old bag of frozen blueberries, plus two eggs from an older carton. I know they look anemic, but the sides were getting brown and I didn't want to over bake. These came along on move out day too.
- Small egg bake: Last three eggs, same carton, bit of cheddar cheese, several slices of lingering deli ham, bit of sour cream from carton used previously, handful of mushrooms, and a handful of frozen spinach. This was brunch Sunday and plenty of leftover muffins which the college girl was happy to find
- Apple Crisp: I had those old apples that were prepped a while back. They made an appearance Sunday and were used up, along with the last 3/4 cups of quick oats to make this apple crisp. I've got tons of oatmeal packets we need to get through now before restocking. The only down side is I do use plain oats for other cooking. The bad- came out way too sweet, despite not using much sugar.
- Roasted vegetables tray: Three of last five small potatoes, about 3/4 pound of baby carrots, 1/2 last onion, last of a punit of mushrooms bought two Fridays earlier
- Tika masala: last two potatoes, last of the carrots, other have of the onion, 1/2 tomato and onions that had been for burgers, another handful of frozen spinach
- Lunch tuna salad: Doubled up two cans and used two celery stalks, for snack crackers ( open boxes needing to be eaten) and last two hamburger buns
- Chicken noodle, soup for a couple days lunches: All leftovers from roasted veg and chicken, remainder of a carton of vegetable broth, two celery stalks (used up), last of a bag of egg noodles.
- Pasta sauce: last of spinach, last of a bag of parmesan, rest of a jar of artichokes hearts.
We also had total leftover nights a few nights. I feel pretty good about the amount of potential waste I avoided. Plus, it pushed me to think creatively on how to use things. Not having pantry, freezer, and fridge clutter is a good bonus. The freezer is still packed though I know what's there, but the refrigerator is looking lean in a good way. We all have different lingering items, but give this a try and tell us in the comments how it went.
