The sight of tomatoes….leaves the cook’s imagination to wander in many directions!
I don’t look at it as a hardship to make do with what I have or take what I have and make something out of it I look at it as an art form. One that I am lucky to have mastered although I continue to learn and work at it which is why I love reading other blogs and going to sites like Pinterest! I remember years ago when one of my friends said look in your pantry and figure out what to make for dinner and then she told me I would save a bundle if I could just learn to master this skill. I remember thinking “How do I do that?” I called this post “The Pantry Magician” because that is how I looked at those that could pull anything out of their pantry and make dinner and now I am that person and you can be too if you are not already!
Now I see onion bread going stale on the counter and think I am whipping that into some italian toast when I make spaghetti.
I see a squash rapidly aging and think….time for squash soup.
Bananas getting too ripe…time for banana bread or if I don’t have any time to freeze the bananas.
Peppers getting soft or too many peppers time for Chile Rellenos.
Don’t waste those potato skins they become an appetizer for the next meal!
Just to name a few of the things that Pantry Magician’s can whip up!
Unfortunately Pinterest was not around for me when my kids were younger so I went to the library and I checked out a ton of books and I learned a lot!
Amy Dacyczyn from The Tightwad Gazette was one of the first people to help me start thinking outside the box and friends of mine that I met around the internet helped too!
Are you a pantry magician? Tell me your favorite food saver idea! I would love to hear it! Thanks so much for stopping by I am ever so grateful 🙂
Love The Tightwad Gazette! I am amazed at how many people still haven’t heard of the book. It’s great stuff! My copy is dogeared, highlighted, has pages falling out, and pages I have taped from other sources into the front and back covers–just completely loved.
Me too Cristy I actually gave a friend of mine all of my separate books that were so well used and finally splurged on a Complete Tightwad Gazzette for me I think most of the info is still relevant.
Love this – what a great way to look at the food you’ve already bought and paid for. Delicious and nutritious homemade meals are made instead of allowing that food to waste. Great post!
I think I have FINALLY mastered this as well. I make muffins at least once a week or more. We have them for breakfast and I put them in the kids lunches for a treat. Instead of purchasing frozen or fresh fruits separately to make them, I use whatever I have around the house. This week, I made two batches. One used up some crushed pineapple I had leftover from a cake recipe and the other used up the last little bit of homemade applesauce from dinner one night. Both were great! My kids love it because they never know what kind I am going to make next!
Denise I love muffins! What a great way to use up leftovers! I have some applesauce I need to use up thanks for the reminder and I am so glad you stopped in and commented I so appreciate it 🙂
Melanie thank you so much for coming over here! Wow I am glad to meet lots of you from This blog hop I will definitely link up again and I am so grateful for the follow & the compliments 🙂
Potato peels are great baked! Peel them thickly and you have mini wedges ready to go.
Thanks for commenting! I love potatoes so I will have to try them too!
Love The Tightwad Gazette! I am amazed at how many people still haven’t heard of the book. It’s great stuff! My copy is dogeared, highlighted, has pages falling out, and pages I have taped from other sources into the front and back covers–just completely loved.
Me too Cristy I actually gave a friend of mine all of my separate books that were so well used and finally splurged on a Complete Tightwad Gazzette for me I think most of the info is still relevant.
Love this – what a great way to look at the food you’ve already bought and paid for. Delicious and nutritious homemade meals are made instead of allowing that food to waste. Great post!
~Taylor-Made Ranch~
Wolfe City, Texas
http://www.taylormaderanch.com/blog
Thanks so much Taylor! I am so glad you stopped in over here I need to make a trip to your blog this evening love to see what you are up too! 🙂
I love doing this! I feel so accomplished when I can rescue something from being otherwise thrown away. 🙂
~Kristi
I know I a am on a mission to do this tonight….:) and now Pinterest & blogs makes it so much easier than it used to be 🙂
Great post. I saw you on Frugal Days.
I am giving away a set of Ball Canning blue pint jars on my blog right now, I hope you’ll stop by!
Lisa
I think I have FINALLY mastered this as well. I make muffins at least once a week or more. We have them for breakfast and I put them in the kids lunches for a treat. Instead of purchasing frozen or fresh fruits separately to make them, I use whatever I have around the house. This week, I made two batches. One used up some crushed pineapple I had leftover from a cake recipe and the other used up the last little bit of homemade applesauce from dinner one night. Both were great! My kids love it because they never know what kind I am going to make next!
Denise I love muffins! What a great way to use up leftovers! I have some applesauce I need to use up thanks for the reminder and I am so glad you stopped in and commented I so appreciate it 🙂
I love finding ways to use food up instead of throwing it out! Great article!
I am a new follower! I found you on The Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways Wednesday Blog Hop.
Melanie thank you so much for coming over here! Wow I am glad to meet lots of you from This blog hop I will definitely link up again and I am so grateful for the follow & the compliments 🙂