A cupboard full of unused food

So the other day I found a book called The 21 Dollar Challenge in the library.

Basically the idea is to go through your cupboards and use as much of your unused food for a week, spending only $21 at the grocery store for milk and veggies.

I thought it was a great idea. But instead of taking the challenge, I’m just trying to use up what’s in my cupboards, because frankly, it will all go bad before I use it otherwise.  (And I suspect hubby Will.Not.Live. without his Coke and Doritos.)

So I started off like the book suggests and took inventory of my fridge, freezer, pantry, garden and any other food I found about the house. I found some interesting stuff that I realised I had no idea what to do with. Probably bought them as a one time thing for a recipe.

One of those things was treacle.  So far this week we have made gingerbread men and blackjacks with the treacle. Very yummy!! Still looking for more creative things to do with it, though, so I’m open to suggestions!

Another one is pearl barley. I bought it for the obvious… soup. But as it turns out, my hubby & kids hate soup.  So what else can I do with the stuff? Anybody know anything yummy?

Awhile ago I bought red lentils to make a vegetarian meatloaf. I loved it and thought it was fantastic!! Hubby & the kids turned up their noses. Dhal got the same treatment.  So I gotta find a recipe that will hide them well.

At any rate, I’ve reduced my last two grocery shops by about $100 by using up stuff in my cupboards. I’m happy with this and so is the hubby.

(And no, I haven’t been paid or otherwise recompensed for this post. Like I said, I found the book in the library and read it. )