Years ago, nothing would go to waste in the kitchen. Food was either too expensive or too scarce. The food industry changed all that. Now not only can you get everything imaginable in a box or bag, but you can get several varieties from several different companies. And much of it tastes like the bags they come in.

Making your own food from scratch give you an amazing sense of accomplishment. When the smallest preparation results in more than you need, you can either eat it over and over again, share it with friends, or throw it away, which would be a real loss and somewhat de-motivational to continue experimenting in the kitchen.

Alternatively, you can turn your leftovers into something different. By repurposing your leftovers, you can enjoy your handmade creations long after their initial incarnation is gone.

Baking bread is very soul-satisfying, both to make and to eat. After all your hard work – even if you use a mixer – it’s a shame to throw out half a loaf if it goes uneaten after a day or two. Making croûtons is a simple way to reuse your unconsumed bread, while serving as a reminder that salad is good for you, too.

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There is one cookbook on my shelf that I’ve had for years which is quickly becoming my go-to book for never fail recipes, which surprises me because I have many other cookbooks that are either more specialized or more comprehensive. This recipe is adapted from that book – which I will write about at a future date – and proofed using my foolproof proof box.

Oh. My. Gawd.

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The red calyx (plural calyces) of the hibiscus, also known as roselle, is one of those weird things that you pass in the market without even stopping to figure out what the heck it is, let alone what to do with it.

What do you do with an herb that is so riotously magenta, it makes beets green with envy?

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A sourdough starter is one of those things that always seems like a good idea, and recipes that use them sound and look delicious. The problem is you never have one around when you need it, and when you have the time to think about it, it always seems to be too much trouble.

What crap.

You need five things for a starter. Go get them now. Right now.

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