2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-22 03:30
Did you know that Canadians are food waste experts? Each of us throws away an average of 175 lbs of food per year!1 Here are some tips to avoid wasting food!
Prioritize
Before you even check recipes on your favorite blogs or set foot in the grocery store, review what you already have, especially perishable foods like meats, vegetables and fruits, and organize your menu accordingly as to what should be eaten first.
Make a “touski” recipe
Do you know the principle of "touski" recipes? Nothing too complicated, we take the foods that are about to expire and we make a stir-fry, a pizza, a soup, a soup, an omelet, a stew or a sauce for pasta. The Touski (=Touski that stays in the fridge!), it's the art of using everything to lose nothing!
Marja Monette-Milette aka The perfect imperfect mom presents a Touski Popsicles recipe on the Cascades blog! A wonderful idea that will undoubtedly appeal to children!
Eat leftovers
It sure is less pleasant to eat the samemeals than two days ago, but this way you definitely avoid waste. A little trick? Modify your recipe slightly so that you don't feel like you're always eating the same thing. Leftover mashed potatoes are perfect for making salmon croquettes, leftover chicken becomes a hot chicken or a delicious Caesar tortilla and spaghetti turns into a pasta casserole with rosé sauce and meat au gratin!
Throw away as little as possible
Why do we only use broccoli and cauliflower flowers? Also discard the kale and Swiss chard stalks. Yet all of these bits are edible and delicious! Cut your "leftover" vegetables into julienne strips to use in a stir-fry or in a salad, and use the stems and less fresh parts in a stew, in juice or simply sautéed in a little butter and seasoned to taste.
Canned foods
Often, foods that come in jars or cans such as sauces, marinades or tomato paste are sold in a larger format than what a recipe calls for. To avoid wasting these foods that often come up in recipes, freeze leftover portions or canned them in glass jars.
Fresh herbs
If you love adding fresh herbs to your recipes, but always end up having too much, chop your fresh herbs and toss them with a little olive oil. Put the mixture into moldsice cubes or small resealable dishes, in portions that you usually use in your recipes. The cubes will be good for 6 months.2Another good way to keep fresh herbs as long as possible is to rinse them well, wrap them in a paper towel -weteverything and store them in a container in the fridge.
Be sure to use paper made from 100% recycled fibers, to be kind to our beautiful planet.
Give a 2nd life
Food often gets a second life! Think old, rock-hard bread: you can turn it into decadent bread pudding or make homemade croutons to garnish salads. Unused tortillas can become tortilla chips or their variant, sweetened tortillas with a little sugar and cinnamon that are dipped in chocolate sauce. And less fresh vegetables make delicious soups!
Freezer
We regularly freeze prepared meals, but have you thought about freezing your breads, muffins, certain vegetables and fruits to avoid losing them and throwing them away? They are reserved for making hot sandwiches, soups, improvised desserts and delicious smoothies.
Meat carcasses
Turkey, chicken, beef and fish carcasses will make the best broth in the world and save you money on what you would have thrown away. Simply add a few vegetables, spices of your choice and water to yourcarcass, and let it simmer over low heat until you get a nice comforting broth.
Desserts
Don't waste your overripe fruit that looks a little less appetizing! Toss them into your favorite muffin or dessert bread recipes, make them into a smoothie, compote or even fruity spreads. The possibilities are endless and each just as delicious as the next!
Written by Mariem Melainine and Michèle Laplante
1- https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1774932/nourriture-rapport-onu-losses-environment2 - Save your food https://sauvetabouffe.org/ practic altips/store-fresh-herbs-yummy/
