Zero waste cooking is a trend that has recently taken hold in kitchens around the world. We are increasingly concerned with living in harmony with nature and ecology
Many people have realized how much food goes to waste simply because of the wrong way we plan our meals. Interestingly, cooking with zero waste principles allows us to not only not waste food, but also save money. How to cook zero waste dinners?
Zero waste is a lifestyle that helps us focus on what matters most, plan our activities, live in harmony with nature and save money. This does not mean that your dishes have to be boring. Zero or less waste cooking allows us to let our imagination run wild – especially when cooking. By thinking about how to use the products you have, you can experiment and create new, delicious dishes. Research shows that in Poland about 9 billion tons of food is wasted annually. By following a few simple rules, you can make this number go down
See also our tips on how to reduce food waste.
To start with, you need to carefully plan your menu for the week ahead. Check what products you already have in your cupboards and fridge. Build on what you already have and buy missing ingredients. When creating your menu for the following days, check what products you will need, what you will open or sip and not use all of. When thinking about lunch for the next day, think about how you can use them up. Before you go to the store, make a list, then you can avoid buying things that you won’t use and that could end up spoiling in the fridge. This way you won’t have to throw money in the trash. Also, remember to store what you have properly
See also our post: How to buy less?
Zero waste cooking is also often referred to as “cooking with leftovers”. It doesn’t mean anything negative, as it might seem on the surface. There are all kinds of recipes that will help you get into the zero waste cooking mode and show you how to use and cook something delicious from the things you used to write off and throw away.
Regularly review your pantry and refrigerator. Check expiration dates. Put those with shorter dates on top so you don’t forget about them. When they’re tucked at the bottom of a drawer or in the back of a cabinet, they’ll be easy to overlook.
Do you have a few slices of ham and a piece of cheese left in the fridge? Maybe it’s a good time to make homemade pizza? The fruit you bought is already soft and you know it won’t be fit to eat another day? Make pancakes and top them with fruit mousse or a smoothie. Got two dry bread rolls left in the breadbox? Dry them more thoroughly and grate them – you’ll have breadcrumbs for another dinner
Have you got meat left from yesterday’s broth and nobody wants to eat it anymore? Grind it, add vegetables and make pâté or stuffing for croquettes. Got some meat left in the fridge, some vegetables for a pan and half a jar of passata? Throw everything in the pan, cook the pasta and enjoy a delicious, quick and healthy dish.
Main photo: Conscious Design/unsplash.com
