FoodSavvy Recipes
Search using the categories below or try these simple waste-busting recipes first.
Proper Spicy Beans on Toast
Of course you can open a tin, heat it up and pour it over your toast, but this recipe has ten times the flavour and even better you know exactly what’s in it and you can season and spice it up to just how you like it. This is a great way of using up an old loaf.
Vegan Banana Pancakes
Bananas are one of the most commonly wasted foods in the UK, which is a shame considering they make a great binder for vegan baking. These vegan banana pancakes are great for using up brown bananas, and will give you a tasty start to your day.
Veggie Cottage Pie
This cottage pie is packed with plant-based proteins such as potatoes and lentils. It's the perfect high-protein but meat-free way to do classic British comfort food.
Cauliflower and Chickpea Curry
This curry is the perfect solution to a glut of cauliflowers and any other veg you have in, just cook, portion and freeze, it will keep for up to 3 months. It's also a great way to use the totally edible but often discarded cauliflower leaves.
Ribollita
This hearty ribollita recipe from Tuscany is a triumph of humble Italian cooking. Made of stale bread and a mixture of vegetables, it is a delicious, nourishing soup that is more than the sum of its parts. The dish gets even better with reheating, so ensure you make plenty to enjoy the next day.
Chocolate and Walnut Brownies
These squidgy, moreish brownies have a delicious deep chocolate flavour and a little bite from the addition of walnuts. They are a great way of using leftover milk, which is one of the most wasted foods.
Build Your Own Pizza
Get ready to tear and share because tonight is pizza night. We’ve got everything you need to make a pizza base and delicious passata using leftover basil stalks. An amazing way to use herbs from the garden (or window box), and leftover veg to create some killer flavour combos.
Pasta With Homemade Pesto
Pesto pasta is the go-to recipe for a filling meat-free dinner. The pasta and pesto are ready in a flash so if you're short on time just fry up some tomatoes to finish off the dish. If you've got longer, throw whatever vegetables you have to hand into a roasting dish with a bit of oil and a pinch of salt, the perfect way to use up any end of the week veg box leftovers.
Veggie pigs in blankets
Pigs in blankets are a staple part of a classic Christmas dinner and why should the veggies miss out? These veggies in vests are a really quick and easy way of impressing your guests and they make a great side or starter.
Vegetarian Wellington
Vegetarian Wellington with 3 layers: mushroom and sage, roasted squash and garlic greens. This recipe was made at Food Cycle’s Pie in the Sky Community Cafe as a Christmas dinner centrepiece for our bunch of fantastic volunteers to enjoy. Give it a go and let us know your thoughts!
We have made this recipe with both shop bought puff pastry and homemade shortcrust. Both work well – the puff pastry is best if you want to make one large wellington while the shortcrust works well for individual servings.
Silky (vegan) chocolate mousse
This is a delicious plant-based take on the classic chocolate mousse dessert. You won't find a much simpler or tastier sweet anywhere try this dessert on your 'never vegan' pals and see if they notice it has no eggs or dairy.
Glamorgan Sausage Rolls
Do your family and friends a favour and greet them with these hearty vegetarian friendly rolls. Make a ton, freeze and whip then out again and again. This is a great recipe for using up stale bread.
Brussels Sprout Sauerkraut
This recipe combines festive season favourites and can also be made using the abundance of festive leftover. The addition of lemon gives it a nice lift and a zing.
Christmas Pudding Ice Cream
Where would Christmas be without a pudding? Currants and raisins, sugar and spice, orange peel, lemon peel, and everything nice. However if you tire of this precious pud, don’t let it sit neglected, freeze it in time, and transform into a delicious ice-cream in the summer months. Continue the Christmas spirit by daring to dash in a splash o' leftover rum or whiskey. A cheat's version of Rum and Raisin using leftover Christmas Pudding.
Christmas Chutney
Chutnies are a great way to use up fruits (both dried and fresh) and vegetables. This delicious Christmas chutney uses a blend of warming spices to make the most of what is available at this time of year.
Quick Christmas Pudding
This is a perfect #SavvyChristmas pud as it uses up all those bags of dried fruits you have in your pantry. Even better, you make and eat it now, meaning you can skip the months of pudding prep.
Rosemary and Lemon Shortbread
This shortbread is a great way to use up leftover rosemary and of course lemon zest before using the juice.
Chocolate Orange Truffle
Use live yogurt to make a healthier, probiotic chocolate. What could be better? Feel free to experiment with different flavour combinations and dairy or non-dairy yogurt. It is important to remember to let the chocolate cool slightly before adding the yogurt to avoid killing the live bacteria. These are perfect for gifting or snaffling on your own!
Have a recipe you’d like to share?
Do you have a great recipe for using up leftovers or often wasted food items. We want to hear from you. Fill in our simple recipe form and people across Norfolk and Suffolk could be using your idea to turn potential waste to taste.

