The Parts You've Been Trained to Throw Away
Professional chefs think differently, largely because waste costs money. Many of the most flavourful parts of an ingredient are the ones we discard. Here are five you can start using immediately.
1. Parmesan Rinds
The rind of a block of parmesan is one of the most flavourful things in your kitchen. Drop it into soup stocks or tomato sauces while they're simmering. The rind releases a deep, savoury umami quality. Remove it before serving.
2. Herb Stems
People reflexively pull the leaves off fresh herbs and throw the stems in the bin. This is almost always wrong:
- Parsley stems: More intensely flavoured than the leaves. Chop them finely.
- Coriander stems: Contain more flavour than the leaves. Blend them into curries.
- Basil stems: Add flavour when simmered into sauces or stocks.
3. Vegetable Cooking Water
The water you boil pasta in is seasoned and starchy; it is a magic ingredient for making silky pasta sauces. Before draining, scoop out a cup and add it to your sauce as it finishes cooking.
Similarly, water from boiling potatoes is thickening and can be used in bread or added to soups. Vegetable blanching water contains vitamins and can be used as a light stock substitute.
4. Leek Tops and Onion Skins
The dark green tops of leeks are fibrous but intensely flavoured, ideal for stocks and broths. Onion skins add a beautiful golden colour to broths, something that would otherwise require caramelised onions.
5. Overripe Fruit
Overripe bananas and strawberries are better for cooking than their fresh counterparts. The Enzymatic activity that makes them mushy makes them perfect for banana bread, smoothies, and jam. The flavour is more concentrated.
Freeze them the moment they tip over from "ripe" to "too ripe for snacking." They'll keep for six months or more.
The Cumulative Effect
None of these changes are dramatic on their own. But consistently applying all five can meaningfully reduce the amount of food you throw away. The kitchen scrap bag in your freezer is worth more than the food you spent money on.
Ready to reduce your food waste?
Download Frigo today and start cooking more efficiently.
