At the back of the cupboard I've found...

[handslikecowstits]

Here is an idea for a thread if anyone wants to join in: we all have stuff at the back of the cupboard/freezer that we bought on a whim and have never used. If posters would like to post an item that is lurking in their cupboards, others could post a favourite recipe of how to use it.

I'll start: a bottle of pomegranate molasses. I'm an adventurous cook and don't mind making unusual things but for some reason this bottle is languishing at the back of my cupboard.

Does anyone have a favourite way of using it?

@Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g homemade bhaji/pakora. Amazingly delicious.

I used to make an aubergine and chickpea stew with pomegranate molasses, and a load of whole garlic cloves. Delicious.

Also Muhammara dip is yum.

I think I used up pomegranate molassis on porridge, actually. It has a nice taste.

(2020 milk crisis) we bought some UHT milk, recently rediscovered, with BBF date...November 2020. I have been using it this morning to make pancakes.

@MartinMartinMarti

Pomegranate molasses is good on Greek yoghurt, with some chopped nuts if poss.

You can also add a dash to a G&T.

I’m afraid I have not good cherry ideas!

For boring reasons I’ve got a tonne of star anise. Other than using it to flavour rice, any ideas for that?

star anise. Partially cook carrots, drain, add a knob of butter and a tsp brown sugar, crumble in a star anise or two, stir and reheat gently for a minute or two. Delicious

Based on Bimbley's suggestion I googled and found these two recipes which sound good:

cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013763-sweet-and-sour-eggplant-tomatoes-and-chickpeas

www.waitrose.com/home/recipes/recipe_directory/a/aubergine-feta-chickpeasalad.html

Chickpea flour- vegan muffins/frittata.
simple-veganista.com/mini-chickpea-flour-frittatas/

I am going to try a version tonight as a topping on savoury mince (sort of cottage pie type thing)

Many thanks for the ideas.

Re poppy seeds: this is lovely - maunikagowardhan.co.uk/cook-in-a-curry/bengali-aloo-posto/

Re star anise: I use it instead of cinnamon and it's a lovely flavouring in rice pudding along with green cardamoms.

Chickpea flour - socca pancakes are nice as are pakoras/bhajis.

@Fitterbyfifty

Maraschino cherries. I bought them at Christmas (thinking of cocktails I think!) Can I use them for anything else?

I had a recipe using them in chocolate brownies.www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/cherry-syrup-brownies/

Thank you! (Also to pp who posted recipes).

Star anise in chilli con carne

And this Alan Rosenthal recipe uses pomegranate molasses and is GREAT:

http://www.alanrosenthal.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/wwwthetimesscoukkttolifeefoodrecipessarticle2905310_ece.pdf

If I had a jar of maraschino cherries in my cupboard I would just open it up and eat the lot. I absolutely love them. This may not necessarily be that helpful.