Some of my favourite meals start with a quick look through the freezer, fridge and garden rather than a shopping list.
This week’s Bitsa Meal came together from a mix of ingredients that needed using up: some pork and beef mince from the freezer, half a tin of tomatoes sitting in the fridge, fresh herbs from the garden before winter really sets in, and a forgotten packet of gnocchi. Add a few pantry staples and suddenly dinner is sorted.
It’s hearty, comforting, family-friendly and exactly the kind of meal that proves you don’t need a perfectly stocked kitchen to eat well.
Why I Love Bitsa Meals
Bitsa Meals are built around the idea of using what you’ve got rather than buying more.
A bit of this.
A bit of that.
They help reduce food waste, save money and often become some of the tastiest meals because you’re working with ingredients that need a purpose.
This Italian-inspired meatloaf is a perfect example.
Italian Garden Meatloaf
Ingredients
500g mixed pork and beef mince
1 onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 carrot, grated
1 celery stalk, finely diced (optional)
1 cup sourdough breadcrumbs
1 egg
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, oregano, thyme or whatever is growing well)
Half a tin of chopped tomatoes
Salt and pepper
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
Method
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- In a large bowl combine the mince, onion, garlic, carrot, celery, breadcrumbs, egg, fresh herbs, Italian herbs, salt and pepper.
- Add a few spoonfuls of the chopped tomatoes and mix until combined.
- Shape into a loaf and place into a lined baking dish.
- Spoon the remaining tomatoes over the top.
- Bake for 45–55 minutes or until cooked through and lightly browned.
Simple Tomato Gnocchi
While the meatloaf is cooking, prepare the gnocchi.
Cook according to packet instructions.
Warm any remaining tomatoes in a saucepan with a splash of water, a little garlic and some extra herbs.
Toss through the cooked gnocchi and serve alongside the meatloaf.
HomemadHomemade Garlic Bread
I make baguettes quite often because they’re quick, forgiving and don’t need to look perfect. They’re one of those recipes that sound complicated but are actually very simple once you’ve made them a few times.
Baguette Dough
- 2 teaspoons yeast
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1¼ cups warm water (not too hot)
- 1 generous pinch of salt flakes
- 2½ cups bread flour (I often use half bread flour and half wholegrain flour)
Combine all ingredients into a slightly sticky dough. Cover with a damp tea towel and leave somewhere warm for 1–2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Once risen, divide the dough into 2 large or 4 smaller portions. Gently stretch and shape into baguettes and place onto a lined baking tray. Leave for another 20–30 minutes if you have time, allowing them to rise slightly before baking.
Bake at 230°C for 12–15 minutes, or until golden and lightly crisp on the outside.
Garlic Butter Filling
While the bread is cooling slightly, mix together:
- 50g softened butter
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- A handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped
Cut the baguette into slices about 1cm apart, taking care not to cut all the way through. Spoon the garlic butter between each slice, wrap loosely in foil and return to the oven for 5–10 minutes until warm, fragrant and golden.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about serving homemade garlic bread alongside a simple family meal. It costs very little to make, uses pantry staples and always disappears quickly from the table.
A Meal Built From What Was Already There
This dinner wasn’t planned.
It wasn’t from a recipe book.
It was simply a collection of ingredients that needed using before they were forgotten.
Those are often the meals that remind me that good food doesn’t have to be complicated. A few freezer staples, some garden herbs, a little creativity and dinner is on the table.
What started as a random collection of ingredients became a warm family meal that cost very little and used up food that might otherwise have gone to waste.
And that’s exactly what Bitsa Meals are all about.