Waste Less Live More 2013 : Waste Less Wednesday

Earlier this month, Zero Waste Week really made me look at the amount of food that goes to waste in our house, just through lack of planning and over-shopping. In the UK, we throw away over 7 million tonnes of food every year just from our homes, whilst food poverty is increasing.  I don't know about you but that makes me feel a little queasy.  

So what can we do about it?  Well, in the first place, we can plan our meals around what we already have in the store cupboard or fridge.  Secondly, we can make sure we don't over-cook and use leftovers for another meal rather than feeding the waste bin or compost heap.  If you have unwanted ingredients or a surplus of dried/canned goods or vegetables, why not donate them to a local food bank to help provide emergency food supplies to those most in need.  You can find your nearest food bank by clicking here

When it comes to leftovers, it's vegetables that always seem to be main culprit in our house - either it's a spoonful of cooked veggies here or there, or the odd wilting carrot or half a cabbage that just looks too tired to use up.   A lot of the time, these can be turned into soups or stews in a trice but here's another idea for using up all those leftover raw and cooked veggies.

Leftover Vegetable Pilaf (serves 4)

Vegetarian, Vegan

Leftover vegetables - use whatever you have to hand, pretty much anything works well!
200g brown rice
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 pint of vegetable stock
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried mixed herbs
Hemp or coconut oil
Salt & black pepper to taste

If you are using any raw veggies, cut them into small pieces.  Heat the oil in a large pot and cook the onions, garlic and any raw veggies over a moderate heat for 5 minutes.   Add the rice, seasoning and stock, stir well and simmer for about 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the stock is absorbed, stirring occasionally.  If the rice mixture becomes to dry, add a little more stock.  About 5 minutes from the end, add any cooked leftovers to the pan and make sure they are thoroughly heated through.

This makes a great meal on its own or as a side dish if you eat meat/fish.

Annie x 

Tomorrow's challenge is Thrifty Thursday - watch our for my post.  You can find out all about Waste Less Live More Week here