Discover the magic of zero waste cooking: creative recipes for using leftovers and sustainability

The kitchen is a place where a lot of waste is produced. Cardboard or plastic food packaging, spoiled food (the Smantry app could be your game changer here), leftover food and even cleaning can generate waste. For example, I'm always amazed at how much outer packaging we have to throw away after shopping (I'm working on it). The zero waste kitchen or the almost zero waste kitchen is actually an integral part of sustainability. The aim is to declare war on unnecessary waste - and to get creative when cooking. However, I would like to say right away that this is not about perfection. I think a kitchen where there is no waste at all is a nice idea, but far from reality. Not everyone has an unpackaged store nearby and doesn't regularly get to shop at the weekly market. Your zero-waste kitchen has to be practical for you.

The packaging issue

I'll start with this topic right away. Many supermarkets and even discount stores now offer fruit and vegetables without outer packaging. If you can, it's better to buy this instead of pre-packaged fruit, especially if you need smaller quantities. Some supermarkets also have filling stations for dry food. The disadvantage of this is that you have to bring suitable containers from home. In addition, the number of supermarkets and discount stores that have such filling facilities for loose food is still small.

Using leftover vegetables: Soup magic and vegetable dishes

Leftover vegetables or vegetables that urgently need to be processed don't have to end up in the bin either. You can turn what's still good into a delicious stew or a colorful vegetable pan - with meat, of course. Celery or leek ends are perfect for making a wonderfully aromatic vegetable soup. Or how about a creative vegetable pan? Broccoli stalks, kohlrabi leaves or bell pepper seeds don't have to end up in the bin, but can be turned into a tasty dish. Dry bread doesn't have to go straight in the bin either (unless it's moldy). You can turn it into breadcrumbs or bread chips, for example. To do this, cut the bread into thin slices (so it must not be completely hard), coat with a marinade, for example olive oil, salt and garlic, and bake in the oven (fan oven) at 180 degrees for approx. 10 minutes.

Creative uses for leftover fruit: smoothies and fruit jam

You can easily blend overripe fruit into delicious smoothies or boil it down into a sweet fruit jam. To make smoothies, cut the fruit into small pieces and blend finely with water. The advantage is that, unlike with ready-made smoothies, you have full control over what's in them. This is because smoothies from the supermarket or discount store are heated to a high temperature to preserve them, which is why the nutrient content can be lower. The nice thing about it is that you can blend anything into a smoothie.

Using up leftovers when baking: Banana bread muffins and crunchy muesli bars

The classic way to use up overripe bananas is probably banana bread or banana bread muffins. Dried fruit, nuts and leftover chocolate (do such things actually exist?) can be turned into crunchy muesli bars.

Reducing packaging waste: sustainable shopping and DIY cleaning products

A zero waste kitchen not only involves avoiding food waste, but also packaging waste. If you can, look for packaging-free products when shopping and buy from local farmers' markets or weekly markets. Bring your own reusable bags and help to reduce packaging waste. Another life hack for the zero waste household is homemade cleaning products. With simple ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda or essential oils, you can make effective and environmentally friendly cleaning products.

Baking soda all-purpose cleaner

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons baking soda

700 ml warm water

1 teaspoon of liquid soap or washing-up liquid (optional, for extra grease dissolving power)

10-20 drops of essential oil of your choice (e.g. lemon, lavender or tea tree oil for additional antibacterial effect and fragrance)

Instructions:

put the baking soda in a spray bottle. Add the warm water. Close the bottle and shake vigorously until the baking soda has completely dissolved.

add the liquid soap (if using) and the essential oils. Shake the bottle again to mix everything well.

spray the solution onto the surface to be cleaned. Leave it on for a short time, especially for stubborn stains or dirt. Then wipe it off with a damp cloth or sponge. For shiny surfaces such as glass or mirrors, rinse with clean water and dry with a clean, dry cloth to avoid streaks.

store the cleaner at room temperature and shake well before each use. Note that the mixture may lose effectiveness over time, so it is best to use it within a month.

Tips:

Always test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it won't damage any surfaces.

For particularly stubborn stains or soiling, baking soda can also be sprinkled directly onto the affected area and worked in with a damp cloth or sponge before wiping off.

This cleaner is versatile and is suitable for work surfaces, kitchen appliances, bathroom surfaces and much more. However, it is not suitable for use on delicate materials such as marble, as the baking soda can be slightly abrasive.