Using 'Throw-Aways'

I apologize for not posting for so long, but I just moved into my house and things are still a bit topsy-turvy around here. My blogs are just one of the long list of things I need to get back to, but I'm determined to give it a good effort.

Do you throw away foodstuffs in the kitchen that can be used in another way? I did, but since I've been pinching every penny until it screams, I've decided to watch what I'm doing in the kitchen more carefully and have these few ideas to share with you.

If you buy canned vegetables, instead of emptying the 'juice' down the drain, pour it into an ice cube tray set aside for that purpose, and freeze to sneak into soups/stews later. You add liquid to the soup anyway, so why not use something flavorful that you already have? You will probably not have to add as much salt or other seasonings too. Once frozen, the cubes are easy to pop out and put into another container until you're ready to use them.

Since plastic trays can retain odor, I used an indelible marker to put a small mark on the tray that I will use for this purpose, so I don't use it again for regular ice cubes. I don't think iced tea or water would be very tasty flavored with green beans.

If you use boxed meals that require water, use the liquid from the canned vegetables that you're eating at the same meal in place of the water. The 'juice' from a can of corn or green beans will add a subtle flavor to boxed stuffing or potato mixes too.

Do you make meals with tuna that say to add water? Pour the water from the canned tuna into a measuring cup and use the appropriate amount of that instead of plain water (obviously this won't work if you use tuna packed in oil). Why pour it down the drain and then turn on the tap for more water when you could use what you've just thrown away, and get more flavor for your buck? If you're making tuna sandwiches and have no need for the liquid right then, it can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. Your cat would love it as a gravy poured over her dry food, too.

Do you have houseplants? If you boil potatoes, use that water to give your plants a nourishing drink. Don't salt it first, and of course make sure it's not hot when you water them. If you have a fish aquarium, using water from your tank will also give your houseplants a nice pick-me-up. Either of these would be great to feed your garden too.

Most of us have a spoonful or two of vegetables left from a meal that don't seem worth the effort to save, but if you keep a container in your freezer, those small amounts will add up and make another wonderful addition to soups and stews. When chopping fresh vegetables, save the stalks and such that you would normally throw away and cut those into smaller pieces to toss into that freezer container too. It helps to steam or microwave them a bit first, then they will cook more evenly along with any of your already cooked leftover vegetables.

More tips on stretching your food budget in future posts - stay tuned!