How to shop your fridge

Shopping your fridge is about using up what you have, rather than heading to the store again. It’s finding flexible, delicious and nutritious recipes that help use up what you have, rather than letting food go to waste.

We’ve gathered some of the easiest flexi-recipes that help you use up what you’ve already got on hand.

Mexi Mince and Veggie One Pan Dinner

Start with the basic Easy Mexi-Mince and add whatever vegetables you have on hand. Throw in some mushrooms and spinach or serve it on pasta if that’s what you have. We like a dollop of sour cream on top if it’s there.

Roast Lamb Chops with Parmesan Roast Vegetables

Use whatever vegetables you have – Parsnips, carrots, Brussel sprouts, potatoes, green beans – provided they’re not salad leaves, they’ll roast up well and taste divine with the parmesan coating.

Asian Beef with Noodles

We LOVE a great stir fry for helping with the fridge clean out. Here’s a great marinade that coats your beef (or lamb is great too!) and top with crushed peanuts if you’ve got them! If you don’t have noodles, try serving on brown rice for a wholesome and delicious dish.

Breakfast Frittata

Frittatas are a versatile and delicious dish that is a great way to use up odds and ends of cheese. A mix is great, as is a simple swap to cheddar.

Lamb Pasta Salad

We love this for adding in whatever colourful vegetables we have on hand – capsicums, broccoli, beans, sundried tomatoes. A simple lemon juice, thyme and olive oil dressing tops it off.

Family Mince and Vegetable Pie

This is a great veggie drawer recipe – grate parsnip, carrot, thinly sliced mushrooms, peppers - and tuck it all under a flaky pastry lid that the family will love.

Cottage Pie

Or if you don’t have pastry, the cottage pie is a great option for emptying the veggie drawer too. We love it with a combination of kumara and potato mash on top.

Country Beef Casserole

Swap the cut for whatever is on special that requires low and slow cooking. Don’t have carrot? Try a little pumpkin, or kumara. Don’t have minted peas, try it with broccoli or beans added in the end.