Don’t Trash, Use it Up: Creative Ways to Save Food from the Bin

We’ve all been there: you open the fridge only to find veggies that have seen better days or leftovers you swore you’d eat but forgot about. Instead of tossing these items, why not breathe new life into them? With a little creativity and a vacuum sealer, you can reduce waste, save money, and enjoy delicious meals made from ingredients you might have otherwise thrown away. Here's how!

1. Revive Those Veggies

That slightly wilted spinach or those carrots that are just a bit too soft still have a lot to give. Here’s how you can use them:

• Smoothies & Juices: Wilted greens and overripe fruits are perfect for smoothies. Just blend them up, add some yogurt or juice, and you’ve got a nutritious drink that tastes fresh.
• Soups & Broths: Soft vegetables can be easily transformed into soups or broths. Chop them up, sauté with some garlic and onions, add broth, and simmer until tender. Vacuum seal any extra portions for a quick meal later.
• Vegetable Stock: Collect vegetable scraps like carrot tops, onion skins, and celery leaves in a vacuum-sealed bag. Once you have enough, boil them down to make a rich, homemade stock. This can be portioned out and vacuum-sealed for future use.

2. Rescue That Bread

Bread can go stale quickly, but that doesn’t mean it’s destined for the trash:

• Breadcrumbs: Blitz stale bread in a food processor to make breadcrumbs. These can be vacuum-sealed and stored for months, ready to coat chicken or sprinkle on pasta dishes.
• Croutons: Cube stale bread, toss with olive oil and herbs, and bake until crispy. Vacuum seal these to keep them fresh for salads or soups.
• Bread Pudding: Combine stale bread with eggs, milk, sugar, and spices to create a comforting bread pudding. Any leftovers can be vacuum-sealed and frozen for a future dessert.

3. Reimagine Leftovers

Leftovers can often be overlooked, but with a little imagination, they can become something new:

• Casseroles & Stir-Fries: Leftover proteins and vegetables are perfect for casseroles or stir-fries. Add a simple sauce or gravy, and you’ve got a new meal. Portion out any extras and vacuum-seal for an easy dinner later in the week.
• Wraps & Quesadillas: Turn leftover meats and veggies into tasty wraps or quesadillas. Just add cheese and a sauce of your choice, then grill until golden. Vacuum seal and freeze any extra wraps for a quick lunch.
• Frittatas: Combine leftover vegetables and proteins with eggs to make a frittata. This is an easy, one-pan meal that can be vacuum-sealed in portions and frozen for breakfast or lunch on busy days.

4. Extend the Life with Vacuum Sealing

Before food reaches that point of no return, vacuum sealing can extend its life, giving you more time to enjoy it:

• Cheese: If your cheese is nearing its expiration date, vacuum seal it to keep it fresh for weeks longer. 
• Herbs: Fresh herbs can be vacuum-sealed to preserve their flavor and color. Try freezing vacuum-sealed herbs in ice cube trays with a bit of olive oil for easy use in cooking.
• Meats: Vacuum sealing meat before it spoils can extend its life by months in the freezer. You can even marinate it in the vacuum-sealed bag for added flavor.

5. Get Creative with Scraps

Even the parts of food we usually discard can have a purpose:

• Citrus Zest: Before tossing that orange or lemon peel, grate off the zest. It can be vacuum-sealed and frozen, ready to add a burst of flavor to baked goods or dressings.
• Banana Peels: Believe it or not, banana peels can be cooked and used in various dishes, like vegan pulled pork or even smoothies. Just vacuum seal and freeze them until you’re ready to experiment.

Final Thoughts

With a little creativity and the help of your Avid Armor vacuum sealer, you can give food a second life, reduce waste, and save money. So next time you’re about to toss something, think twice—there’s probably a delicious way to use it up!

Remember, “Seal Smart, Meal Smart!” You’ll be surprised at how much you can save, both in food and in dollars, by getting the most out of every ingredient in your kitchen.