Waste Free Kitchen Handbook Book Review

I was going through the library online catalog and reserved a bunch of cookbooks and other things that might inspire me to start making some new meals that are tasty and frugal.  Funny this is that I reserved a book that I had already read before (see original review from 2016 here).  I was ready to return Waste-Free Kitchen Handbook: A Guide to Eating Well and Saving Money By Wasting Less Food by Dana Gunders when I decided that everyone needs a refresher.  I read the book very quickly and I was glad that I did.  I can't wait to start posting some new recipes and actually getting the things that I cook online for everyone to see.

Despite a growing awareness of food waste, many well-intentioned home cooks lack the tools to change their habits. This handbook—packed with engaging checklists, simple recipes, practical strategies, and educational infographics—is the ultimate tool for reducing food waste. From a scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council come these everyday techniques that call for minimal adjustments of habit, from shopping, portioning, and using a refrigerator properly to simple preservation methods including freezing, pickling, and cellaring. At once a good read and a go-to reference, this handy guide is chock-full of helpful facts and tips, including 20 "use-it-up" recipes and a substantial directory of common foods.

The book is separated into quick to read sections about the things that you might be most interested in.  I think that the one thing that I forgot from last time is to take stock of the food that you throw into the trash whether it is because you thought you were going to use it as a leftover or just didn't get back to eating or cooked too much.  It is interesting to put that thinking on things but I know that I have this trouble with pasta specifically.  I often think that I have enough when I don't and I ended up way over cooking the next time.  I do a good job of reusing rice, chicken and other items that end up in the fridge but pasta often doesn't get cooked up anymore.  I have turned it into buffalo chicken pasta and spicy szechuan noodles but haven't been doing it as much or I have been drastically overcooking for what we need.  I try to pay attention to the things that I throw away and I often think of the cost associated with getting more of that item but I know I need to do better about putting things in the freezer.  In the recipe section, the main ones that I use is leftover fried rice where it all gets thrown into the mix and sometimes the leftover pasta dishes.  The one that I love is the leftover breadcrumbs which are the best.  I grind up any shred of cracker, chip or pretzel into breadcrumbs which make the best chicken in the world.  I like to stock them up because it often takes a long time to get enough to coat all the chicken.  I also save any bread ends in the freezer to toast and turn into bread crumbs so that we don't have to buy them anymore.  I thought that it was good book to read again and I am glad that I got it out of the library again. I hope that you check out this book and see if it helps you shop better, cook better and use up all those leftovers to make new meals.  Hope it makes you think!!