I am slightly embarrassed to share this.
Although, I honestly have a feeling that I am:
a) not alone
b) not the only one who would admit it and
c) not sure that this won't occur again in the future...
I unearthed a frozen tupper-ware...of turkey chili...from December...2009...and considered the potential that it might "still be good"...
Nope, not kidding.
Then for good measure, I found a twin tupper-ware with the same 2009 chili in it...
I mean, it smells okay...How long does something like this last?
But I digress. The point here is: why would anybody keep a tupper-ware of chili in their freezer for, what is going on, 9 months? That's long enough for somebody to give birth! I know the intention behind this. I made myself a ginormous (word courtesy of Elf) pot of turkey chili because it was cold (in December) and ate it every meal for probably a week. Having only dented about 1/3 of said chili creation (again, I am one person, living alone), I thought to myself:
"Hmm, you could freeze this and take out a container for a quick meal. Oh Liz, you are brilliant" (Let's face it, everybody can use some positive self-talk every now and again)
So, this chili went into tupperwares and into the freezer. Where it stayed. For 9 months.
Theoretically making a bit extra and having leftovers for a few meals is a really good idea. You save on cooking time, on the buying in bulk concept and on general planning time. But what good is it to buy all this stuff, make it, box it up and then throw it away 9 months later?
It's like buying a pair of pants that are kind of ugly but they are on sale for $3.99. You can't buy pants for $3.99, so the thrill of the novelty compels you to buy ugly pants. You don't wear them and they sit in the closet when the alternative could have been that you save $3.99, closet space and the effort of some factory making something out of polyester (because let's face it, $3.99 pants are not made out of cashmere).
I feel like I am having some insights here about myself, myself as a consumer, and myself as a waster and I am not really liking what I am seeing. Hopefully this experiment can assist me in making better choices and only buying/cooking/saving what I really need.
Now, if I were to write a blog titled: "Cleaning out your closet: How many pairs of shoes do you really need?" There would probably be a lot more tears and a lot less insight.
(Feel free to weigh in on insights, impressions and whether or not that chili is still "eatable". I haven't tossed it yet)
It is still edible. Throw it in a a casserole dish, top with cornbread batter or biscuits and bake until the bread is baked and the chili is warm. You will be surprised.
ReplyDeletesounds good...although I don't have cornbread mix in the pantry...Do you think ground up cheerios would be similar?
ReplyDeleteDo something similar to your dumplings? Or if you have bisquick, use their recipe for biscuits and just dump it on top? (Look at me trying to be creative! I channeled you yesterday and cooked without a recipe--although I did have to go to the grocery store to get things to make it!)
ReplyDeleteI love it haha...What did you make Beth? And didn't you feel liberated after?
ReplyDeleteI had half a package of tofu leftover from a recipe I tried out a few days ago. So I marinated it in some teriyaki stuff, then decided to add some rice vinegar and soy sauce to it. Then I did the same to some veggies: broccoli, peas, and peppers. Then I tossed it all in a pan and made stirfry. It was actually more terrifying that liberating because I like to use my teaspoons and measuring cups! But it turned out really well anyway :)
ReplyDeletePop would say, eat it, it is fine!
ReplyDelete