The greatest "crime" against frugality isn't overspending; it's
wasting. Every year, I have leftover Passover goods that I can't put away for next year, either because they're perishable or open boxes/cannisters. No matter how well I plan, each year I always seem to be stuck with open boxes of the Three Ghosts of Passover Past: matzoh meal, cake meal and potato starch. So what do you do with this stuff? Here are some ideas on how to make use of those leftover items (and I'd greatly appreciate you sharing
your ideas in the comments below!). I hate wasting food.
Matzoh meal: I make "kneidlach" or matzoh balls year-round, especially in the winter. I've found the best recipe is the one right on the back of the Streit's box, but
here's one if you don't already have a favorite. I also combine matzoh meal with basil, garlic powder, onion powder, sesame seeds, and paprika, and I store it in a glass jar, for an interesting twist on breading for chicken. Sometimes I use this mixture in combination with corn flake crumbs or bread crumbs.
Cake meal: Passover cake meal is really very finely ground matzoh meal. You can use cake meal in nearly any recipe that calls for flour. I find that it doesn't work so well in regular baking, unless you want that particular "Passover taste" in your year-round pastries. I use it as a flour substitute in breading chicken, onion rings and crudite, and as a thickener in some stew recipes. As with matzoh meal, I sometimes combine it with flour. I've also used it as a meat extender in meatloaf, stuffed cabbage, and meatballs.
Potato starch: You can easily swap in potato starch for any recipe that require corn starch. I primarily use it as a soup or gravy thickener. My Celiac/gluten-free friends swear by it as a great flour substitute in any year-round recipe.
What other products did you "get stuck with" this year, and how are you planning on making use of them? Any other great ideas for the matzoh meal, cake meal and potato starch?
