Cupboards Full? Let’s Clean Them Out Deliciously!
I found this photo online – a food cupboard stuffed with things we all seem to never get around to using…and it’s just as bad here:
My wife’s Mom made a list once of things to buy for “the larder”, and I had no idea what she meant!
Here’s the official definition: a “larder” is an alternative name for a pantry, a cool storage area or cabinet used for keeping food. It’s a British English term, while “pantry” is more common in American English.Collins Dictionary defines “larder” as a room or large cupboard for food storage.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because of this!
This chowder has everything you want in it, but nothing artificial: cream, potatoes, , diced carrots and celery and smoked salmon create a delicious, creamy bowl of chowder! I love Pike Place Market in Seattle, known for their “flying fish”:
Well, they ship their fresh seafood anywhere you live, so I bought some fresh Dungeness crab and a few bags of their incredible smoked salmon chowder, freezing it for the day I wanted to “clean out my larder”….and that day was today!
First, I sautéed lots of garlic from he refrigerator in olive oil, then added some roasted corn from the freezer!
Next, I added the semi-thawed chowder and this happened:
I let it simmer for a half hour, stirring frequently, then went back into my larder for this:
Yep, some leftover smoked salmon from New York’s iconic Zabars was my last added ingredient….here’s what happened next:
After adding some additional smoked salmon and roasted corn to the top, here is how it looked in the bowl:
I knew I couldn’t go wrong, because the smoked salmon chowder was already perfect! But, by adding some garlic and roasted corn, it really enhanced the chowder, and of course the fresh smoked salmon on top was a nice counterbalance to the creaminess of the chowder….it was very satisfying and a great use of leftovers!
Of course, I have had other opportunities to utilize leftovers: lots and lots of leftovers:
That’s me virtually hidden behind a wall of styrofoam!
You see, we had a party and this is what was leftover…so what to do? Take a look at some of the items I had to work with:
What did I make with this collection of leftovers? see the entire process here:
I also use leftovers as an opportunity to try “food mashups” like this:
Yes, it’s a “pizza burger” – see how I did it and why by clicking on my story here:
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Categories: Bite Eat Swallow, Bite! Eat! Repeat!, Chef memoirs, Cookbooks, Eat This!, Food, Food Writing, Recipes, Wacky Food, World's Wildest Food
Bite! Eat! Repeat! 
John, you have taken the old saw “waste not, wan’t not” to a gourmet level.
great idea to eat through your food and to make this delicious food out of what you have
Yes, the goal is to utilize leftovers and not throw anything away@! Thank you for your comment!
just like your giant cans of corn
Yes, that makes sense
Hi John, the salmon chowder sounds delicious. I’ve never seen such a disorganised fridge before – smile!
Well, those were not mine of course, but it’s very similar to what “hoarders” do in their houses: they simply never throw a thing away and accumulate without organization!
Great ideas John! Mashups with leftovers are sometimes the best dishes!
The chowder looks great As for the styrofao boxes, that was a lot of leftovers from the party! You saved a lot of waste by using your creative side. Well done.
Best wishes, Pete.
Typo *Styrofoam*
Pete, we were very surprised to have the food delivered in styrofoam…assumed it was banned in California! Thanks for the comment!