Edible Boston

WASH ‘EM IF YOU’VE GOT ‘EM
Kick your disposables habit with a collection of cloth napkins from a thrift store or flea market; embroider initials for every family member so you know whose is whose.

NO-BRAINERS
Make crumbs and croutons from old bread. Fry chips from stale tortillas. Make jam from softening fruits. Purée soups out of wilty vegetables and season them with hard cheese rinds. Use soured milk in your pancakes in place of buttermilk. Easy peasy.

WILL IT FRITTER?
Anything can be made into a fritter: Clean out the crisper drawer and shred every root vegetable in it. Add some minced onion, an egg or two and some seasoned flour. Fry in patties and serve with lemon or sour cream.

WILL IT TACO? WILL IT DUMPLING?
Likewise, anything can be made into a taco. Shred leftover meat and simmer with chilies, tomatoes, garlic and spices. Fold into charred tortillas and top with scallion trimmings and minced cilantro stems. Or make dumplings: Combine minced leftover meat with scallions, tamari, ginger and garlic; seal inside wonton skins and steam or pan-fry.

RICE IS NICE
Leftover rice is like money in the bank. Make fried rice with forgotten vegetables. Mix with shredded meat and roll into cabbage bundles. Make rice pudding with coconut milk and honey. Blend with water, sugar and cinnamon; strain over ice for the freshest horchata.

AND OUR ABSOLUTE FAVORITE TIP OF ALL:

STOP BEFORE YOU SHOP
Make “Sweep the Kitchen Twice” into a regular thing. Go shopping in your fridge before heading out to the supermarket. You’ll be surprised by what can be re-used and re-purposed, and how thinking this way will save you both money and time.

Eat like Revere this Patriot’s Day! Or join us on May 7th at Northern Spy to taste this menu as prepared by its author. We’ll share this special meal, learn from local food artisans, meet the chef himself and break bread with fellow edible readers and friends. As we celebrate Massachusetts 250 this year, history buffs will adore Northern Spy’s location inside Paul Revere’s 1801 Rolling Copper Mill, birthplace of the American copper industry, at the Paul Revere Heritage site on the Neponset River in Canton. Tickets link in our bio 🎟️

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