Hello Dear Reader,

Way back in October I hosted the fabulous No Waste Food blogger challenge run by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary. I have been very remiss and am only now posting the round-up of those delicious recipes.  No to worry though as, since there are contributors from all over the world, the recipes span all the seasons!

No Waste Food – Savoury dishes

First up is this gorgeous Leek and Potato Soup from Jane at Onions and Paper, which uses up the dark green parts of the leek that many people throw away. It’s a great way to use up a couple of cooked jacket potatoes too.

For more veggie goodness, try out this Broccoli and Tomato Quiche from Camilla at Fab Food For All. Camilla even made mini versions at the same time for her kids’ lunchboxes. Genius!

I am intrigued by this vegan Cali-Coco BLT Quinoa Salad by Janet from The Taste Space as I had never heard of coconut bacon before but am loving the sound of it. I love the instructions for the dish too “Place all ingredients on a plate. Eat!”

Next up is this recipe for 10-minute Cauliflower Rice by Kevin from The Crafty Larder, which is a brilliant substitute for white rice. You must give this a go!

I have some pumpkin in the freezer specifically saved to make this Roast Pumpkin Soup with Sage and Chilli by Ema from De Tout Coeur Limousin. Great for chasing away winter chills, especially with Ema’s suggested addition of Ras-el Hanout!

Staying with Moroccan flavours, but not forgetting the meat-eaters, here is a tasty Roast Chicken Pasta Bake by Food Jam. This would also work brilliantly with any leftover turkey you have from Christmas.

Another fiery recipe from Ema at De Tout Coeur Limousin is this Thai Curry Pork Noodle Soup. Inspired by her Polish grandmother, Ema’s got a thing for noodle soups and this Thai version sounds fabulous, with its spicy restorative slow-cooked broth and a kick of herby freshness added just before serving.

Next Laura from I’d Much Rather Bake Than… brings us her Individual Gnocchi-topped Pie. I think it’s a briliant idea to top a pie with pre-made gnocchi instead of the usual mashed potato. Laura says to choose whatever filling you wish but I definitely want to try out her interesting Slow Cooker Apple Pie Chilli.

The next recipe was devised in a flash when Ren’s mum came to stay and the cupboards were bare!
Ren from Ren Behan’s Food captured the essence of the No Waste Food challenge by emptying out the fridge to use everything that wouldn’t last any longer. Then her mum had a peek in her store cupboard and quickly rustled up these Risotto-stuffed Vegetables. I’m making double risotto soon just to make these!

Choclette from Chocolate Log Blog declares her Squash Pizza with Chocolate Tomato Sauce as the best vegetarian pizza ever! Her knack of finding the best place for chocolate in every meal certainly gives depth to the pizza sauce, whilst sautéed winter squash and goats cheese are a heavenly combination.

I love this Eggs in a Tomato Sauce recipe from Sarah at The School of Balance to use up the remnants of a bag of spinach. This is a great idea for any leafy greens all through the year.

Kavey from Kavey Eats brings us this Butternut Black Garlic Cheese Bake. This dish manages to pack a punch of delicious flavour with only three ingredients!

Staying with cheese comes this hearty Conchiglioni Salad with Mushrooms from Jacqueline of Tinned Tomatoes. I adore goats cheese with pasta and, as Jac says this can be eaten hot or cold, I can see it becoming a year-round favourite.

Finally for the savoury dishes is another one from Camilla at Fab Food 4 All. Her Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables is a super-easy and delicious way to use up the vegetables lurking in your fridge.

 

No Waste Food – Sweet dishes

Now to the sweet entries and Camilla from Fab Food 4 All brings us dessert in an instant with her Hazelnut Chocolate Banana Delight, which takes mere minutes to bring together.

Not a fan of chocolate Mireille from East West Realm instead always looks for fruit in her desserts. She devised these soft moist Strawberry Almond Muffins when she had some extra strawberries. They’re also a great way to use up the last of that pot of yoghurt that’s always in the bottom of the fridge (well it is mine)!

Next is my absolute favourite entry – if I could give a prize, I would! These Delicious Patisserie Chocolate Biscuits by Alida of My Little Italian Kitchen were baked with flour that needed to be finished. Oh lucky flour – if I was flour this is how I’d like to go – melt in the mouth deliciousness!

A great recipe for finishing off the fruit lurking in the fruit bowl comes next from Anne’s Kitchen. Anne’s soufflé-like Fruit Bowl Gratin even comes with a crispy sugar top, like a creme brûlée. Tasty!

I love the sound of this Mixed Berry and Apple Jam by Kate from The Gluten-Free Alchemist, as making jam is one of my favourite things to do with lots of berries. You must go check out the recipe, especially Kate’s amazing Mixed Berry Jaffa Cakes that she made with this jam!

Another recipe for using up bananas are these tasty Banana, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Muffins by Ros from The More Than Occasional Baker. I love muffins that sound healthy enough to eat for breakfast!

Staying with chocolate chips but this time in cookie form are these Vegan Smoky Nutty Choc Chip Cookies by Joanna from Green Gourmet Giraffe. The smoked almond sound amazing and I’m super impressed that the chocolate was bought way back in 2008 – such restraint Joanna!

Another great entry from Anne’s Kitchen came about when Anne was “procrastibaking” instead of prepping for a job interview. We get her wonderful Nectarine and Almond Yoghurt Cake and Anne got the job too – congratulations Anne!

I’m dreaming of recreating this Strawberry-honey Ice Cream by Allie from The Lass in the Apron. Another great way for using up yoghurt and two of my favourite flavours of the summer, strawberry and honey, in one deliciously pink dish.

Laura from I’d Much Rather Bake Than… made these Mini Double Choc Pecan Pear Crumbles to use up some old wine she’d been given for her 18th. I’ll be recreating them to use the last of this year’s pears, as they sound perfect to me.

Last but not least is another recipe by Laura from I’d Much Rather Bake Than… and this time it is for the last of the season’s apples. Laura made her Bonfire Toffee Apple Muffins to use up the last of the Halloween toffee but they’ll be equally yummy at using up any Christmas toffees or caramels you received.

So that’s it – a mammoth roundup and thanks so much for all the fantastic entries everyone.

For more great recipes to use up leftovers or odds and ends, check out the other roundups on Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary.

Let’s all make 2015 a year of #NoWasteFood!

Vohn
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