Nowadays, I go to the shops almost every day.
Sometimes multiple times in a day if Im doing a client shoot and things are not going to plan.
My record is 5 times.
Boy was I grumpy by the end of the day.
Which meant that unless I did a meal plan, I was usually playing things by ear by Wednesday.
There are a few obvious gaps and Ill get to them eventually.
I guess theyre things that I thought you might find too boring like pasta salads, frittata.
Do you want to know how I make things like that?
So heres my list!
I hope you find it useful!
CREAMY CHOWDER WITH ANYTHING
Creamy Chowder with Anything Got milk, flour, butter and broth/stock?
Make a creamy chowder!
Dig out those bags of frozen veggies, find bits of ham or chicken or leftover cooked meats.
Youll always find an amazing use for it!Get the recipe.
CURRY
Easy (real!)
Curry A handul of spices, a can of tomatoes, broth, canned legumes and chopped veggies.
you might make this with almost anything!
Try this easy IndianCauliflower Chickpea Curryor thisCaribbean Chickpea Potato Curry.
ALL PURPOSE STIR FRY SAUCE
Ultimate Standby Stir Fry Youve met Charlie, havent you??
Hes my best friend for stand by fridge forage meals!
And you will be gobsmacked how delicious it is.
Its all about the sauce!Get the recipefor Charlie and how to use it / him.
BUILD YOUR OWN STIR FRIED NOODLES
Fridge Forage Noodles Got noodles?
Got some veggie bits and bobs in the bottom of your fridge, or some tins of stir-fryable veggies?
(Thats a word, right?)
Toss them in a wok withCharlieand 5 minutes later, dinner is on the table!
Tip: Dont forget tinned veggies!
Baby corn, bamboo and water chestnuts are great stir fry add-ins!
Got a bag of mixed frozen veggies?
Tip: Make this with other pasta shapes like spirals, orecchiette, penne and ziti.
Pinky swear, it works a treat!
Its custardy and cheesy inside, puffy and golden on top.
Otherwise they will make the quiche watery.
Throw together the soup with just chicken stock/broth, a knob of ginger and garlic (or use paste!
), a dash of soy and Chinese cooking wine (or sherry!
), and youve got an instant broth to add in whatever you want.
Noodles, vegetables, proteins….or….I dont suppose youve got a stash of frozenwontonsin the freezer?
?Get the recipe.
Tip: When Im feeling extra lazy, I cook the noodles in the same broth.
FRIED RICE
Fried Rice arguably the ultimate leftovers food in the whole world?
Get the recipe: Choose fromChinese Fried Rice(its Kylie Kwongs recipe!
),Indonesian Nasi GorengorThai Fried Rice.
Tip: Keep bags of cooked rice in the freezer.
Defrost in less than 1 minute in the microwave.
QUESADILLAS
Quesadillas You put anything and everything in Quesadillas too, right?
Just double-check the filling is cool (helps them bake crisp).Get myBaked Quesadillas recipeorStovetop here.
I have to stop here otherwise I will keep going.
I really think Ill do a full recipe post on Baked Rice with Anything!
for 15 minutes or until the liquid is fully absorbed.
Then stand for 10 minutes, fluff and serve.
(Note: This is for long grain, medium, short grain white rice, basmati and jasmine.
Use packet directions for brown and other rice).
Now the more interesting part the add ins!
The possibilities are endless!
I feel like I should do a Stovetop Rice With Anything recipe too….its such a fast dinner!
So whatever you have in your fridge, youcanmake an awesome salad with it using a great dressing!
RISOTTO WITH ANYTHING
Risotto Anything you’re able to seriously almost add ANYTHING into risotto!
Tip: Load up the baked risotto with vegetables bysauteing them before adding the rice.
CREAMY PASTAS WORK WITH EVERYTHING
Pasta + Cream + Anything = sinfully delicious.
Use the Italian technique of emulsifying the sauce (i.e.
toss pasta with sauce + pasta cooking water = glossy sauce with less cream required).
Stir through delicate greens like spinach at the very end.
Tip: Dont forget canned salmon and even tuna!
Great for stirring through!
Us thisOne Pot Baked Chicken Broccoli Mac and Cheeseas a base.
PANTRY PASTAS (REAL ITALIAN!)
Pictured above is mySpicy Prawn/Shrimp Pastawhich is essentially Arrabbiata with prawn added.
Tip: Use your leftover pasta to makepasta fritters!!
SAN CHOY BOW / CHINESE LETTUCE CUPS
San Choy Bow Make this entirely with chopped veggies.
Seriously, this may be one of the best cant believe theres no meat in this!
meals in the whole world.
See recipe notes for quantities.Get the recipe.
Tipe: Dont have lettuce?
Use rice paper wraps or just spoon onto rice.
VEGETABLE MEXICAN LASAGNA
Vegetarian Mexican Lsagna OMG.
The Fridge Forage just got real exciting!
Some frozen veggies or scraps in the fridge, some leftover meat?
Make this!Get the recipe.
Tip: Brilliant to throw in loads of frozen diced veggies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See?
No trip to the grocery store required to make an amazing meal!
Enjoy!Nagi xx
Click herefor a PDF version of this post.
LIFE OF DOZER
His whole life is about foraging.
PS Thats a raspberry and yes he ate it.
