Every week, I post a picture of the food that has gone bad over the last seven days. I started doing this in March of 2008 to help motivate myself to use up my food instead of wasting it and it’s been very effective. Since it helped me so much, I invited other bloggers to join me in posting their food waste photos, and Food Waste Friday was born.
I have here two calzones of unknown date. I really should have eaten these right away, as they get dried out in the fridge, but alas, I did not.
And the green thing in the front is a mushy zucchinni. It came in a pack of about 8, so I feel pretty good about how well we did at eating them up.
Now I need some advice from all of you. I have a small container of rice that needs to be used, or it’s going to be food waste.
It came with some Chinese takeout we had last week (yup, occasionally we order takeout! I wasn’t feeling very good that day, and so I opted out of cooking.). Next time we order Chinese, I’ll ask them not to include the rice, as we always have a problem eating it. I don’t particularly like white rice (I prefer brown), and I don’t see a lot of point in eating a refined carbohydrate unless I really enjoy it!
Alas, I didn’t remember to say “no rice!” when I ordered this time, so I am stuck with this container. I’m not sure what to do with it, and I thought you all might have some creative ideas for me.
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How did you do this week? If you blogged about your food waste, link us up by entering your info into the Mister Linky Widget below. Participants get a spot on my Food Waste blogroll for the upcoming week, so join us! You’ll save money, reduce your trash output, and get a little publicity for your blog!
Susan Nye Ferrell
Tuesday 23rd of February 2010
Hi Kristen, One of our favorites when Becca was growing up is an italian dish that is super easy and frugal, called peas and rice. Now, one small container of leftover white won't go far, but it would be lunch for a couple folk, maybe hubby's work lunch?
Take a medium onion or half a large, and cut into small slivers. Put a tiny bit of olive oil in bottom of sauce pan Sautee onion until light brown,being careful not to burn Add about a half bag of frozen petite peas salt barely cover with water. Simmer about 20 mins or more until the water has cooked down to just the bottom of the pan. Toss over white rice (we prefer brown for usual eats but it is too strong flavor for this combo and dwarfs the peas) or pasta (spaghetti, angel hair etc) Check to see if it needs more salt,and serve. This plus some nice crusty bread used to be a whole meal for us. Like most things I like this better the second day.
EngineerMom
Monday 7th of December 2009
This might come too late for this bit of rice, but one idea I immediately thought of was to mix it into bread dough the way you would oatmeal. It might not really do much in terms of adding texture or taste, but it would be transformed into something you're more likely to eat!
Also, you can blend cooked rice into smoothies.
Kristen
Monday 7th of December 2009
Ben-Oh yes, I do compost! I just prefer to keep edible food out of the compost bin if I can help it. Egg shells, citrus peels, and all sort of other inedible food waste goes into my compost bin on a regular basis.
It is always my goal to eat as much of my food as possible, though, instead of composting it.
Ben Guygoesgreen
Monday 7th of December 2009
Just curious, do you garden or grow plants? Do you compost? This food waste could be put to good use if made into compost. I little less waste and a little more value for this food.
Janknitz
Monday 7th of December 2009
Around here most Chinese restaurants will substitute brown rice if you remember to ask.