One of my goals for the new year, inspired by Jenny over at Silver Screen Suppers is to cut down on my food waste.  To that end, I spent a day or so over the break adding every item of food and drink in my house – of which I apparently have 530+ – ranging from Agnostura Bitters to Zulu Spice Mix into a spreadsheet. 

Zulu Spice Mix?  WTF?  I don’t even know why I have Zulu spice mix.  I also don’t know why I have 3 unopened boxes of cream of tartar  (or even exactly it does) or two unopened jars of Char Sui Paste… But all of that stuff could wait.  In the dairy shelf of my fridge (another Jenny inspiration), there was some very delicious (and also very expensive) marinated feta that absolutely positively could not go to waste.   

So, then to my “Recipe Schedule” spreadsheet to see where I can use some marinated feta.  Wow..I’m giving you all my spreadsheets!

Don’t even get me started on my spreadsheets.  Because this will then become a blog about where and how to use a multi embedded what if scenario and not at all about food. On the other hand, if, like me, you are all about the spready, head over to my other blog www.tarynisexcellent.com* for all your spreadsheet needs, wants and desires.  (*Not a real blog. Unless you want it to be…)

Back to my marinated feta and the concept of the “Use By” post. In each post, I will use up an ingredient that would have otherwise had to be thrown out.  And will try to use that ingredient in a manner that does not entail buying several more items which will then have to be logged and “used by”….. 

Yotam Ottolenghi’s latest book, Simple contains a recipe for fries with feta and oregano. I had feta, I had potatoes.  I didn’t have dried oregano but I had fresh rosemary and I love rosemary flavoured roast potatoes so I subbed in the rosemary for the oregano.

Let me tell you, these fries are GENIUS!

That drizzle of garlic oil over the top takes them to next level.  Add the feta and we’re talking eleven.

Being a philistine I also tried to add ketchup and vinegar to these fries  Because normally, fries without them are useless.

These were fine without!

These are possibly the best home fries I have ever eaten!

And a super recipe for using up any leftover feta cheese you may have!