MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Wasting food (and money) -- Update

Wasting food (and money) -- Update

posted 8 years ago by Catbookss (13664)
131 replies | jump to latest

I'm an excellent shopper, but suck at planning meals, so too often I end up throwing out what was a "great buy," and otherwise wasting food. It bugs me.

I only have a small freezer, so freezing stuff (cooked or uncooked) isn't much of a solution, although more so than I currently use.

The things that most often go bad before I can use them up are:

- cilantro
- lettuces and pre-packaged salads
- mushrooms
- fresh meats (especially larger things, such as whole chickens and roasts)

What about you? Can you plan well enough to use up and not waste the food you buy? Any tips for those who struggle with it?

And, does anyone have any tips on extending the life of cilantro?? I love it, but doubt I've ever bought a bunch I could finish before it went bad.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 8 years ago

My solution is simple. The first step in cooking is to grab the car keys. Hence I waste very little. I just had dinner at O'Charley's tonight. It was free pie night, so I brought home a piece of pecan pie (my favorite). I shall enjoy that
later.

Of course I realize this solution would not work for everyone, but it works for me.

😎

[–] TexasJack (12516) 8 years ago

Any solution that ends with pecan pie sounds like a good one to me.

[–] MovieManCin2 (26342) 8 years ago

Right on, Jack. BTW it was delicious!

😎

[–] Jesus Christ (38) 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Dear Person who peed in Jesus's Cheerios this morning,

Please don't do it again. It makes him cranky.

No love,

Catbookss

[–] [deleted] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

So it seems [laugh]

I hope your emoji movie thread's still as fun as it was when I last checked.

[–] [deleted] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

That would really help with the ones that are sometimes hard to make out.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Kind of you to suggest this, but most likely, even with descriptions of the emojis, I'd SUCK at this game, judging by how well (not) I've done even when they're visible to me :D

But I am really glad it's still going strong, that you thought this up, and so many are enjoying playing!

[–] croft_alice (12180) 8 years ago

Please,don't upsate jesus,he can bring his army of angels and punish you😉

[–] kspkap (13626) 8 years ago

Why do you suppose some posters have to be so damn snarky? Your snide remarks add nothing, na da, to such a lightly generic, but interesting topic Catbookss posted. The symptoms of the turbulent world we are experiencing are coming through loud and clear with your remarks. Are you one of those who find it impossible to be civil?

[–] Prelude (1443) 8 years ago

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[–] [deleted] 8 years ago

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[–] Popcorn Kernel (2368) 8 years ago

This is weird.
kspkap replied to a post by Jesus Christ, mentioning Jesus' snide remarks, but then Prelude replied to that as if it was directed at her.
Are Prelude and Jesus Christ the same person?

[–] kspkap (13626) 8 years ago

Hmm? I don't know. All I do know is no one deserves the vile, vicious, profane attack levied at me. So...s/he doesn't exist...s/he is on Ignore. I do hope there will be a censure or whatever.

[–] Prelude (1443) 8 years ago

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[–] [deleted] 8 years ago

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[–] [deleted] 8 years ago

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[–] Isthisyourhomework (283) 8 years ago

Mushrooms will last longer if you store them in a paper bag instead of the container they are packaged in. Salads will keep for a week or more if you store them in mason jars. You put the dressing on the bottom and then some thick vegetables on top of that and lettuce goes on top. Or just don't put the dressing in the jar.

[–] kspkap (13626) 8 years ago

Re:The storing of mushrooms. Place a damp paper towel over them before putting them into the brown (lunch) bag. They need the dampness. I have stored mushrooms for as long as two weeks or longer. The paper towel needs to be kept damp during the storage time, if not they will dry out. I remove the shrink wrap and leave them in the container.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

It's been two months since I wrote the OP. I've intended to write a progress report, but haven't had the time until now.

I've made a number of changes in my buying and food-storing habits, and am proud to say I've had to throw away far fewer things that have spoiled before I could eat them.

I'm now much more likely to divide things, such as meat, and freeze them in small or smaller portions. This has helped a lot! No meat has been thrown out.

Yesterday I did have to throw away 1/3rd of a package of sliced fresh mushrooms (no brown paper bags to store them in), there's a bunch of cilantro that's starting to turn, a head of cabbage I thought I'd figure out something to do with but haven't but I can remove the outer leaves and save it, and a sweet red pepper that's starting to go. Plus a half can of white pinto beans I couldn't figure out what to do with that will have to go.

Other than that, little waste!

I'm still cr@p at planning meals. The best I can do is plan for 2-3 days, tops. Never know in advance what I'll be in the mood to have for dinner, which makes planning difficult.

I got on a Thai food tear for a bit, including Thai iced tea which I love. Decided I was too often getting take-out from the local delicious Thai restaurant, and that I should try my hand at making it at home. That worked out fairly well, but I never got the recipe for the iced tea down well enough. It was never as good as the take-out!

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

I've become interested in yucca root. It has a wide range of nutritional benefits. It's most often used as a potato substitute and I think I'll be able to implement it with some of my stews and chilies during the upcoming comfort food season.

[–] croft_alice (12180) 8 years ago

Mine is the same,nothing changed.

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

Yours what is the same croft ? I don't understand your post.

[–] croft_alice (12180) 8 years ago

I explained earlier in posts,db20db,that I live on a small farm and rarely I waste money in food.

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

Ok, that I understand. I thought you were responding to my comments about yucca root.

[–] croft_alice (12180) 8 years ago

What is that thing,anyway?

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

I'm not sure I've ever had yucca root, or if I have, it's been in a stew, which I identified as "mystery vegetable." Is it sweet, savory, or neither?

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

I don't know. I've never had it either but based on some of the online recipes I've looked at, it's often described as tasty. I saw several which highlighted yucca fries so my guess would be leaning toward the savory, maybe like ginger root, which I already use a lot.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

I suspect it's a mild, neutral flavour. Yucca fries might be good. I've had sweet potato fries and they're okay, but again my preference is savory, unless we're talking about dessert.

I've had zucchini fries before, and I like them. Ever had them?

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

That's my preference as well and no, I've never had zucchini fries but I've adopted another recent discovery into my daily routine....cucumber marinated ice water, which also touts a number of favorable nutritional benefits.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

That sounds good. I love cucumber. Just put some, thinly sliced into a sandwich for lunch. How do you make your cucumber marinated ice water?

Zucchini fries are good! A bit crunchy on the outside, moist and tender on the inside. Dip in ketchup, soy, ranch, or any other dipping sauce of your choice.

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

It is good. It's refreshing on a summer day and probably more beneficial to the body than so many of the bottled waters out there these days. I like cucumbers on a sandwich as well, especially on a sardine sandwich, coupled with mustard sauce, pickles, onion and lettuce Usually mid-afternoon, I cut 3-4 thick chunks of cucumber, put them in a glass I've chilled in the freezer. Then I add several ice cubes on top, fill it with chilled water and let it basically marinade on the top shelf of my refrigerator for close to 24hrs. The following day it's, like I said, refreshing hydration.

I've resolved to become more interested in zucchini. I know it's often a favorite on the grill.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Thanks, I'm going to try it. It'll also give me something to do with the half cucumber before it goes bad, as I'm running out of ideas as this point.

I love to grill zucchini. Either cut in half, seasoned, and by itself; or in a veggie kabob, with onion, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and whatever else I've got on hand that's kabob-able.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Just made a glass of marinated cucumber water!

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

Cool ! And you're going to let it marinade overnight ? Let me know what you think.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Yes! 24ish hours from now I'll be sipping it. Will let you know how I like it, but can't imagine I won't.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

I tried it last night, and it was lovely! I decided it could do with a little more boost in flavour, so added a squeeze of a quartered lime. It's a winner! Give that a try and let me know what you think.

I'm very happy to have something else to do with cucumber, as no matter how much I love it (taste and scent), it's rare I can finish one without it going bad. This is very helpful!

[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

Mushrooms, cabbage, red pepper, pinto beans and some chicken stock or vegetable stock and spices would make a good soup.
You could freeze it for winter maybe.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

It would. Too bad the mushrooms and pinto beans are beyond help, but I like the way you think!

[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

I hate throwing away food too. My motto is anything is good in a burrito.
Some times I will take whatever leftovers I have and put it in a tortilla to make a burrito.

A few days ago I took roasted chicken, avocado, Tabbouleh and Swiss cheese to make one.
Heated the chicken and melted the cheese. Took the avocado mashed it added salt and pepper.
They were really good. A multicultural meal.

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

Ditto, dewey ! I made some burritos awhile back with some items I felt needed to be used up. They turned out flavorful as well. I still have a couple in my freezer.

Yesterday I was watching Food Paradise on The Travel Channel where I discovered the Redneck Burrito. That thing looked so damn good, I decided I wanted to replicate it. I found the recipe online almost immediately after the program.

[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

I just looked that up. It sounds good.
I did a variation of this last month. I had some pulled pork left from the 4th.
The only difference was I had made a pot of black beans instead of baked beans.

[–] db20db (17743) 8 years ago

I like black beans also. I use them in both burritos and chili.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

Your off-the-cuff leftovers international burrito sounds very good!

If I buy tortillas, it's always been the taco-sized corn tortillas, and I always struggle to use the package up. Although I'm proud to say I did manage to use up the entire package, last one I bought.

But, along the same lines, anything is also good in an omelette or scrambled eggs, and I always have eggs at hand, so I'll remember this :). An omelette, or scrambled eggs, makes a nice dinner.

Looked up Db's redneck burrito, and it does sound delicious.

[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

"anything is also good in an omelette or scrambled eggs"

You're right about that. Speaking of corn tortillas you can also fry them up in a little oil to crisp them a little
and then make your scrambled eggs and mix them together. Something a little different and is very good.
Add a little Red Devil or salsa if you're so inclined.

[–] croft_alice (12180) 8 years ago

Yes,you can,godewey.