Tipsters Corner

Christmas Food Tip/s:

Listening to the TV, whilst busy with other things today, it was mentioned that up to 40% of food bought for Christmas ended up in landfill (or, for the more careful, food recycling bucket).

So, as simple as it sounds: take a note of what you have in your cupboards/fridge/freezer; then, note on your calendar a simple menu plan to use up all that food, in date expiry order! It can be accomplished in less than one hour and not only stretches the pennies when our minds are stretched to the limit on other things, but, knowing what you are going to put out, and when, will save you any headaches on the organisational front.

Likewise, if you are doing any last minute food shopping (especially in the hope of getting a last minute reduction) do check out the reduced counter! If it is a bargain (first) check to see if it is freezable. If yes to both, buy it, freeze it as soon as you get home and mark it up on your menu plan for January

Major supermarkets have joints of meat at £5 per kg at the moment. I save all year just for this! I buy as many as I can fit in my freezer for the year ahead. The raw joint will be fine in the freezer for up to 6-9 months. They are large joints, so what I tend to do is: roast one to eat that Sunday; when cold (it slices thinner when cold), slice, wrap and then freeze. That way, I have enough roast, sliced meat for the next few weeks of Sunday meals. Obviously, I rotate which meats I cook so it doesn't become tedious.

End of December/New Year: Christmas Puddings will be on sale and reduced by a fair margin. Buy them!! They actually have a long shelf life (especially if they have an alcohol content: it is a preservative) and the one you buy *this* year at a reduced price will be good to go for next Christmas Likewise, Christmas Cake. If it is iced, remove any icing/marzipan, wrap it in greaseproof paper and foil and then just periodically "feed" it with a tot of alcohol throughout the year and it is ready for next Christmas. Another Christmas food: mincemeat! Again, grab any jars which are reduced down after Christmas. They will be fine, if left unopened, for making mince pies with for next Christmas

What to do with too much mincemeat?

• use as a filling in pancakes (and top with a dollop of cream to counteract the richness)
• use in a bread and butter pudding
• add a blob on top of rice pudding
• use it in a boiled fruit cake recipe instead of dried fruit (but, reduce the liquid content slightly)

:merryx:

 

I like the serving tips on food packets.

"Why not serve with Asparagus tips and a knob of butter."

Thats my favorite