5 ways of getting creative with those tins of food that have sat in your cupboards until now!

It’s amazing what can lie unforgotten in our cupboards, be it birthday cards, loose change, or a lottery ticket. The same applies to our food cupboards too! If you currently have more time on your hands, why not have a good old sort out of your tins? These 5 ways for getting creative with your long-forgotten tins of food could bring more than food to your table.

Separate the sweet from the savoury

Are your food cupboards a jumbled mess, with tins and jars all mixed in together? If so, then have a good tidy up. Sorting your tins and jars into clearly defined sections of sweet and savoury allows you to see exactly what you have. Take time to inspect your tins too, making sure there’s no damage or rust, and don’t forget to check the expiry date. If you can’t see an expiry date, throw it in the bin!

Nothing beats a hearty homemade meal

If your cupboard is full of savoury tinned goods, why not make some fabulous suppers? Look online for inspiration, you will be amazed at the wonderful selection available. From mushroom soup carbonara to salmon fishcakes, the world is your oyster. If that seems too much, why not make a hearty soup? Tinned soup takes very little time to make, as you don’t have to peel any pesky vegetables. Packed full of natural goodness and vitamins, a steaming bowl of soup will lift your spirit during these tough times.

Blitz and blend for sweet treats

If, however, you have found a bumper crop of tinned fruit, then the sky’s the limit! Open the cans, drain the excess syrup away and blend the contents into a puree. If you don’t have a blender, mash the contents through a sieve (your arms will get a good workout too!). Pureed fruit has multiple uses. It can be added to smoothies or yoghurt, stirred into porridge or used to top pancakes. For a weekend treat, why not use it (responsibly!) in cocktails – pureed peaches make a delicious Bellini! Use an ice cube tray to store any leftover puree and freeze for later use.

Make a surprise hamper and spread some joy

If you have more than enough food to get you through the coming weeks, why not make a hamper for an elderly or vulnerable neighbour? Wrap an old cardboard box with colourful paper and fill with your unwanted tins. If you have time on your hands, a few home-baked treats will add a beautiful finishing touch. Likewise, if you have small children, get them to add a drawing or a letter. It can be a lonely time for the elderly, so knowing someone is thinking of them can mean so much.

Help your community and donate to a local foodbank

Your local foodbank will always welcome donations to boost its supplies. If you’re donating any surplus tins, make sure that they are free from damage and in date. During the current coronavirus outbreak it would be wise to contact them first, as it’s more than likely that they’ll have certain procedures in place to make sure everyone is suitably protected. If your local foodbank cannot take your tins, and you have the space, keep them stored until current restrictions have ended.

Keep safe and support each other

During the current COVID-19 restrictions, we have temporarily suspended trading. Business will resume as normal, when it is safe to do so. However, we are still available for any home-improvement enquiries you may have – simply contact us online. Take care of you and your loved ones, and stay united in the knowledge that we are all in this together.