Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock

What to do with... tired salad leaves from the back of the fridge

Just unearthed another half-full bag of spinach? Here’s how to use it up.

JUST BECAUSE THOSE salad leaves in the fridge are not quite crisp enough to make the cut for your next salad doesn’t mean they’re not good enough to eat.

Here in Ireland, we generate enough food waste between us each year to cover the Aviva Stadium with a 140-metre pile of rubbish, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. That amounts to around 330kg per person, each year, which is a lot of unused bags of spinach and rocket.

Salad leaves can wilt very quickly in the fridge, but if you do unearth a forgotten bag or bunch of leaves, don’t bin it just yet. It might not make for a crisp salad but you could still…

1. Whizz up a green smoothie: This is a great way to use any wilted greens, since it’s all being blended anyway. For example, blend some chopped apple, pear, ginger, and your greens along with some almond milk and hey presto, a nutrient-packed breakfast! A little squeeze of lime won’t hurt either.

2. Make a summer soup: Lettuce soup might sound like something out of a Dickensian orphanage, but it’s a very refreshing summer dish. Fry some onion and garlic, toss in whatever herbs you have on hand (basil works a treat!), along with leftover lettuce leaves and some vegetable stock. Then blend, season and add a squeeze of lemon juice to retain the vibrant green colour.

3. Include them in your favourite pasta dish: Leaves like rocket, watercress and chard have strong flavours and can make an excellent addition to a pasta sauce. Add some to your favourite sauce and stir to cook them briefly.

4. Fry it up: Pan-frying or grilling works brilliantly for hardier leaves like Romaine lettuce, and you’ll often find Asian dishes with fried chopped lettuce included. Fry some garlic, ginger, chilli and onion in a pan, add a few handfuls of chopped lettuce, and a dash of soy sauce. A deliciously quick and tasty vegetarian meal served alongside some egg fried rice.

5. Sautee your greens: Sauteed spinach or lettuce is a wonderful side dish alongside fish or chicken. For a deluxe version, pan fry some bacon, garlic and onion in butter, then add peas, chopped lettuce, a dash of stock or white wine and simmer for a few minutes.

More: What to do with… red and green mangoes from the fruit aisle

More: What to do with… fresh, ripe and creamy avocado>

Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thejynxeffect
    Favourite thejynxeffect
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 2:44 PM

    I’d say they got 0.000000000000001% of all ecstasy tablets off the streets. Why do they keep fighting a battle that cannot be won?

    153
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carmo Vanderval
    Favourite Carmo Vanderval
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 3:02 PM

    Yeah I can’t walk down the street without tripping over a loada bleedin’ ecstacy. Paved with that s**t.

    62
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan b
    Favourite Alan b
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 3:05 PM

    You know they good yolks when you’re tripping on them

    141
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RachyMG
    Favourite RachyMG
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 4:25 PM

    Jesus they’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t! Ridiculous comment

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thejynxeffect
    Favourite thejynxeffect
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 5:29 PM

    I didn’t damn them if they don’t. In fact I am advocating that they don’t.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wang King
    Favourite Wang King
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 5:30 PM

    He’ll have to pay about €300 into the poor box and that will be it, out the door sonney.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Harman
    Favourite Declan Harman
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 2:46 PM

    *jaw chewing intenseifies

    136
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Integra-Ted
    Favourite Integra-Ted
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 3:01 PM

    Ebeneezer Goode, leading light of the scene, know what I mean?
    He created the vibe – He takes you for a ride as if by Design
    The party ignites like it’s comin’ alive
    He takes you to the top, shakes you all around
    Then back down – you know as he gets mellow
    Then as smooth as the groove that is making you move
    He glides into your mind with a sunny “Hello!”
    A gentleman of leisure he’s there for your pleasure
    But go easy on old ‘Ezeer he’s the love you could lose
    Extraordinary fellow, like Mr Punchinello
    He’s the kind of geezer who must never be abused
    When you’re in town and Ebeneezer is around
    You can sense a presence in the sound of the crowd
    He gets them all at it – the party starts rocking – the people get excited
    It’s time to shout LOUD!

    94
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute hit shappens
    Favourite hit shappens
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 3:44 PM

    e’s are good e’s are good he’s ebbenezer goode

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Griffin
    Favourite Kevin Griffin
    Report
    Aug 12th 2015, 11:05 AM

    Got any Vera’s ??? Laaavley!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carmo Vanderval
    Favourite Carmo Vanderval
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 3:00 PM

    Aw Man, Gardai Brand yellow ecstacy are supposed to be the business!

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute paul farrell
    Favourite paul farrell
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 2:53 PM

    A jaw dropping amount !!!!!!!

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Supernova
    Favourite Supernova
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 2:59 PM

    I’d say people were raving about them. They’re problem gurning about it now though. Ecstatic stuff

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cock Mc Stuffins
    Favourite Cock Mc Stuffins
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 3:58 PM

    Nothing says I’m coming up like a good eccy shite.

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trev heff
    Favourite Trev heff
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 3:21 PM

    Big fish little fish cardboard box

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute IrishGravyTrain
    Favourite IrishGravyTrain
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 3:28 PM

    Ecstasy with a value of 225,000 euro is it. In reality that probably means closer to 100,000 in Value.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ben Coughlan
    Favourite Ben Coughlan
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 2:48 PM

    They look like urinal cakes to be fair.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Wallace
    Favourite Paul Wallace
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 2:46 PM

    I’m surprised people are still doing E’s as they can’t be any good. It’s hardly 1989 now.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carmo Vanderval
    Favourite Carmo Vanderval
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 3:04 PM
    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Griffin
    Favourite Kevin Griffin
    Report
    Aug 12th 2015, 11:12 AM

    Tune!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Luke Evans
    Favourite Luke Evans
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 2:51 PM

    yikes that’s a lotta yips

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Supernova
    Favourite Supernova
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 3:17 PM

    Yippyyyy

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dan Matthews
    Favourite Dan Matthews
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 6:34 PM

    Any yokes?

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute VoiceOfVanguard
    Favourite VoiceOfVanguard
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 2:46 PM

    :)

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dsl
    Favourite Dsl
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 4:37 PM

    Possibly only cost a few cents to make !

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kane Abel
    Favourite Kane Abel
    Report
    Aug 11th 2015, 11:09 PM

    That’s a great idea using the Garda Siochana logo, much better than Mitsubishi…..

    5
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel