Eat until it's empty: Recipes that make the bottom of the jar look so good



MILWAUKEE -- Did you know 30 to 40 percent of the entire us food supply is wasted? In an effort to reduce waste, Alisa Malavenda, joins Real Milwaukee with some recipes to repurpose the last little bit of food in your fridge.

BOTTOM OF THE HERSHEY’S  SYRUP CAN

Mommy’s Chocolate Milk Martini


    Remove the tin lid off the can and save the plastic lid. Fill the can with ice and add remaining ingredients. Replace plastic lid and shake well. Strain mixture into a chilled martini glass.

    BOTTOM OF THE JAM JARS

    Jama”itini”


      Bottom of the Jar Quick Bread

      Mix up your favorite batch of quick bread, muffin mix, corn bread or pound cake.

      Butter or Spray with pam  the insides of the jam jar that has the left over bit of jam.

      Place the jars on a cookie sheet and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

      Fill the jars only about half to ¾ full and bake in the oven for 45-50 minutes depending on mix. Put a toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean. Remove from the oven and let rest 5 minutes.

      Place a lid/ring on the jar immediately after removing the bread jars from the oven and resting the 5 minutes so they will seal. (sealing will allow the bread to keep for an extra week inside the fridge.) You will here the button on top ping and then you know they will seal.

      Allow bread jars to cool completely before transferring them to the refrigerator.

      This bread will last remain moist and last in the fridge for a few weeks.

      When ready to serve . Unseal by popping off the lid and then run your knife around the side and the bread will slip out of the jar.

      Recipe for a basic : Quick Bread /Muffin Mix


        Combine flour, baking powder and salt in bowl; set aside.

        Combine milk, sugar, melted butter, eggs and vanilla in another bowl; stir 20-30 seconds. Add flour mixture, one-third at a time, stirring after each addition just until smooth. (There may be a few small lumps in batter)Do Not Overmix.

        Note: you can also use this recipe for a savory bread by cutting the sugar and vanilla.

        Bottom of the jam jar whipped cream.

        Leave the last little bit of jam in a well-chilled jar .

        Add very cold heavy whipping cream only about a third of the way up the jar , a little powdered sugar and pinch of salt.

        Make sure the lid is on tight and shake it like you mean it for a few minutes , unscrew lid and enjoy.

        BOTTOM OF THE PRESERVES OR ITALIAN DRESSING JAR

        Bottom of the Jar Glaze for Chicken

        Have a little orange marmalade or other preserve or a little Italian dressing left.

        Combine 1 part marmalade to 2  parts Italian Dressing

        So for every tablespoon of marmalade or preserves you would use 2 T. Italian dressing and visa-versa. Add some garlic, herbs or spices.

        Pour over chicken breast, thighs or wings . Bake until cooked through.

        BOTTOM OF THE SALSA JAR

        Taco Salad To Go This easy recipe is a quick lunch and you can customize to what you have leftover like chicken breast, sliced steak.

        That small bit of salsa in the jar starts the layering .

        Add:


          BOTTOM OF THE HONEY OR MUSTARD JAR

          These two can be combined to make a lovely glaze for salmon or a vinaigrette for a salad.

          Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon


            Clean and bone salmon and place on a deep dish.

            In the bottom of the mustard or honey jar , add  all the remaining ingredients .

            Replace the lid on the jar and shake well to mix all the ingredients.

            Pour over the salmon and let marinate for about 45-60 min.

            Remove the Salmon from marinade and Broil or Grill fish , basting with the marinade

            Until Cooked to your desired temperature . about 10-15 minutes.

            Honey Mustard Vinaigrette


              Add all ingredients to the empty jar or bottle and shake well.

              Note, if you have a half a lemon left over you can use it in place of the vinegar.

              BOTTOM OF THE YOGURT OR SOUR CREAM CONTAINER

              Cold  Cucumber Sauce

              Take that leftover half a cucumber and grate it , same with a little onion if you have it.

              right into the last of the yogurt or sour cream container. Add a little lemon juice , salt and pepper and just enough milk to get the consistency you desire. If you have some dill or parsley chop that and add to mixture.

              This is a nice compliment to grilled meat and fish. Drizzle on salad or dip for pita bread.

              BOTTOM OF THE PESTO

              Chances are you had an abundance of basil this summer and made tons of pesto

              When you reach the bottom of the jar. How about some …

              Pesto Monkey Bread

              Bottom of the jar of pesto.

              Homemade bread dough or store bought dough or biscuits.

              ¼ C melted butter

              ( you can add mozzarella cheese or even cut up chicken and pine nuts , sundried tomatoes )- Whatever you have leftover

              Preheat oven to 350

              Butter or spray the jar that has leftover pesto or add to a mason jar or pan.

              Cut biscuits or dough into 1 inch pieces.

              Roll the biscuit pieces in the butter , and herbs if you are using. Fill the jar and layer with other ingredients if you are using.

              Bake for 20-30 minutes until the biscuits are cooked completely and unmold . serve with a little marinara sauce.

              END OF THE PICKLES – USE THE JUICE

              Pickle Juice Quick Pickled Veggies

              After the pickles are gone…

              All the juice leftover from a jar of pickles

              Use cucumbers, radishes, carrots, red peppers, brussel sprouts , green beans or any

              other veggie you have on hand. Wash your veggies and slice them to the same thickness.

              Pack them into the pickle jar and add a

              Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes and cider vinegar to make sure they are completely covered. Make sure there is room on the top . Leave them in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 days and up to 2 weeks.

              BOTTOM OF THE NUTELLA OR PEANUT BUTTER JAR

              Overnight Oats for breakfast


                You are only limited by your own imagination- open your mind to your oatmeal fantasy!

                If a healthy oatmeal doesn’t appeal to you. You can thin out the leftover peanut butter with ingredients for a peanut thai dipping sauce for spring rolls or over Ramen noodles

                For the Peanut butter :


                  Or heat up some milk with a little unsweetened  cocoa add to Nutella jar and

                  Stir, pour into mug and top with marshmallows