Simple Recipes to Reduce Food Waste and Use Up Those Pesky Leftovers – Part 2: The Pie Edition

Only one three-letter word causes more salivation and anticipation than pie, but that doesn’t involve food… usually. Sweet or savoury, the flakey goodness of a freshly baked pie is without equal. So, as a treat, I’m giving you four mouth-watering recipes that aren’t just good for the environment, but good for your pocket as well.

Food waste is a growing problem facing the entire world. We need to take personal responsibility for the food we waste, rather than fretting over which governmental legislation would be best suited to eliminating the appalling amount of produce wasted every year. Each person can do their part by reducing the amount of food we throw in the bin each week.

Earlier this week, I published a short list of recipes designed for the average home cook with the most basic set of skills and equipment. Simple recipes to use up those inevitable leftovers lurking in the back of your fridge every week. Today, I have four more recipes, all encased in glorious, homemade pastry.

P.S. No-one will judge you if you opt for the store-bought option.

• How environment-friendly is Ireland?

• How to grow food at home

Cheese Pie

Ingredients

• For the pastry:
• 500g flour
• 250g butter
• ½ tsp salt
• 100ml water
• Chicken or fish.
• Any vegetables taking up space.
• Cheese
• Milk or cream
• Alcohol (white wine or beer {lighter the better})

Method

Meat Pie

Ingredients

• For the pastry:
• 500g flour
• 250g butter
• ½ tsp salt
• 100ml water
• Whatever dark meat you have will do, whether it’s beef, lamb, pork or mince.
• Any vegetables you need to use will work perfectly well in this stew.
• Tomato Purée, stock cube, bay leaf  (if you have any)
• Alcohol (red wine or beer {darker the better})

Method

Quiche

Ingredients

• For the pastry:
• 200g flour
• 150g butter
• Pinch salt
• 125ml water
• Any vegetables you want to rescue from the bin.
• 3 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• Cheese

Method

Fruit Pie

Fruit makes up a large proportion of the fresh food we waste each week. A pie is one of the best ways to keep those fruits out of the bin. Don’t worry about a bruise or a blemish, this pie recipe will rescue the saddest looking fruit.

Ingredients

• For the pastry:
• 50g butter
• 125g sugar
• 1 egg
• 200g flour
• Pinch of salt
• Any fruit you have lying around.
• Sugar
• Vanilla or cinnamon
• Wine, whiskey or brandy

Method