Transforming Compost

According to a recent British study, one-third of all food purchased is thrown away. This drives up our grocery bills and the food garbage in our landfills contributes to global warming. Hinnerick von Baren, associate professor at the Culinary Institute of America has the following tips for turning compost into dinner:

• Puree very ripe fruit such as bananas and peaches and freeze in ice cube trays. These fruit cubes can be added along with other ingredients to produce smoothies.
• Ripe apples, plums, and pears can be peeled, diced, and cooked into a pot over low heat until they thicken. This makes an excellent sugar-free fruit spread.
• Wilted cabbage leaves, mushroom stems, carrots, potatoes, celery ends, and aged cheese can be thrown into a pot of boiling water and used to make homemade vegetable stock.
• Do not toss out broccoli stalks. Peel them with a paring knife and add them to stir fries.
• Hard bread can be used to make french toast or converted into croutons.
• Top hard pitas with tomato sauce, grated cheese, grilled cheese, and other available vegetables to create a mini pizza.