With so much focus on food shortages and money matters at the moment, the issue of sustainability and wastage is very much on the agenda for many of us. When combined with the scorching summer that the UK has just experienced, the processes of food production are perhaps more visible than they have ever been. But small changes can make a big difference, and we can all do our part in making the kitchen and food preparation more eco-friendly and frugal. For over a century, KitchenAid has been helping people achieve professional cooking results at home – providing unlimited culinary options with its high-quality kitchen appliances. Throughout September you can get an Exclusive 7% off orders with KitchenAid, so that you can update your kitchen kit for less.
How to be more sustainable in the kitchen
Whether you’re a beginner or already well on your way to becoming an expert, there are plenty of ways that you can be a more sustainable cook. Don’t be put off by imperfect foods. Most supermarkets and grocers will have a section devoted to food and packaging that may be a bit bashed or wonky. With huge discounts to be had, shopping these unloved items could save you a fair few pounds, whilst also helping to reduce food wastage. The UK throws away around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste in a single year, so it’s worth checking if the food you junk at home is really beyond rescuing. It’s also worth remembering that best before dates are about quality and not food safety, and for many items, like fruit and vegetables you can keep on munching beyond the advised dates.
Frozen fruits and veg are also another good way to save on wastage. They are often more nutritious than what you’ll find on the shelf because they’re picked and processed at their peak ripeness. Having them tucked away in your freezer also means that you’ll only use as much as you need, and conveniently when you need them. Eating produce in season is tastier, more nutritious, and can be better for the planet too. We’ve all gotten used to eating foods that have historically not been available all year round, but as nice as they are, there is also a serious carbon footprint to contend with. You can of course grow your own, with even the most hesitant of green fingers able to nurture food basics from the earth around you.
Home cooking is your opportunity to make a difference, especially with the support of KitchenAid appliances that will pick up much of the workload. Here are some more ways you can be a more sustainable cook.
Get creative with food scraps
The challenge of reducing wood waste can be shrewd, fun and delicious! It’s easy to turn those fruit and vegetable scraps you thought were trash into a delicious sauce or a healthy snack. A great way to start is to create a stock, which can be the perfect flavour-packed foundation for all kinds of soups, sauces and braises. From carrot tops to garlic and onion skins, you can save them all from the bin. Why not keep them frozen in a freezer bag and use them when needed?. As a general rule, you need a quarter of water for every pound of vegetables you use, then all you need to do is simmer the water, vegetables and seasonings of your choice for an hour before straining.
Save all the nutritious bits
From parmesan rinds to radish tops, turnip greens and leftover bread, why commit nutritious bits of food to the bin? Cheese rinds can be turned into broths while vegetable tops and other greens can be mixed with pine nuts, cheese and fresh mint in a Kitchenaid food processor to create a topping for pasta or grilled vegetables. Carrot tops in particular add fresh flavour and a feathery texture to otherwise bland salads. Leftover bread is always a big cause of food waste, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Create a panzanella with the addition of some oil, then simply bake and coat it with some more oil and vinegar until it saturates. Seeds are also nutrient-dense, so make sure you rescue those cucumber seeds, so they can be dried, roasted and transformed into a crunchy snack.
Increase longevity by pickling
If you have extra vegetables that are likely to go to waste, you should definitely consider pickling. While images of pickled onions come to mind, pickling can add up to two months shelf life to a whole host of fruits and vegetables. Pickles make great garnishes for cocktails and can add zest to a salad. A variety of delicious uses will be open to you when you need them. All you need is vinegar, water, kosher salt or sugar and the seasonings of your choice. If you use the basic pickling ratio of 3:2:1 – 3 parts vinegar, 2 parts water and 1 part sugar, you shouldn’t go wrong. And remember to experiment with different types of sugars and vinegars to create your own special outcome.
KitchenAid is supporting The Trussell Trust between 1st – 30th September. The charity supports more than 1,200 food bank centres in the UK as part of their drive to end hunger. During this period, Savoo will be donating a percentage of revenue for purchases made with KitchenAid to The Trussell Trust when you redeem the Exclusive 7% off orders code on the Savoo website.
