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In my world, food banks are part of my pay it forward program. There have been many, and still are, times when food banks have saved my life. At this time in my life, with things being so uncertain, I have to go to food banks to supplement my food budget. My budget is squeezing so hard right now that it has laryngitis from squealing. But such is life sometimes, and thankful there are places like food banks to help people in need. Now what to do with the stuff.
I have always been adventurous in my cooking, and food bank boxes make me feel a little like the big-time chef’s on television. The big difference is to make the most of the contents of the box. I have a couple of friends that for various reasons, need to stretch their food budget too. We are all a part of a pay it forward program. What I don’t use is given to another and passed on until someone can use it.
I am dedicating this section to the recipes that have inspired me by the food I have received from the food give-aways. I am fortunate enough to live in a place where fresh fruit and vegetables are a part of the box most of the time. Also, I suffer from migraines, so the only processed food I eat is homemade. Some of the sections will have recipes that you can use to preserve food for later use. I choose to use the canning method. You do not need to if you do not want to. With the recipes I use, you can store your food in the refrigerator for weeks.
I have had some strange and unusual ingredients in my boxes from time to time. It is a great deal of fun coming up with different ways of using what I have received. Some of my mad scientist experiments have been epic failures and others family favorites. The great thing about these recipes is that they are versatile. The recipes are inspired. But that doesn’t mean I don’t use them anytime. My only caution would be when you buy the ingredients that they are in season. It is a good way to exercise your imagination and do things for yourself. Please feel free to leave a comment and let me know how they work for you.