So, food waste is a real problem…
The United States is the global leader in food waste, with Americans discarding nearly 40 million tons of food every year.1 That’s 80 billion pounds of food and equates to more than $161 billion2, approximately 219 pounds3 of waste per person and 30-40 percent4 of the US food supply. Most of this food is sent to landfills; food is the single largest component taking up space inside US landfills.5 In fact, it makes up 22 percent of municipal solid waste (MSW).6
So, what can we do?
We’ve established a method that makes it possible to plan for, prepare, and eat chef-worthy meals, while also being aware of how each of us can take action to reduce food waste.
Enter: THE ROCK & RIPPLE METHOD
Just as the small action of tossing a rock into the water creates a ripple effect, much farther reaching than the initial action, we have created a methodology that starts with a small action, but can have a huge impact.
The concept is to leverage a Master Recipe (The ROCK), and to use the surplus/leftovers in subsequent recipes (the RIPPLES) in order to reduce food waste, while still ensuring we can enjoy chef-worthy, impressive, delicious meals.
Let’s Get Started:
Step 1: READY – Set your Mise
The method starts with ensuring that your kitchen is plied with standard items you will need to complete the initial Rock Recipe as well as the subsequent Ripple Recipes.This includes:
- Basic Kitchen Layout
- Equipments
- Kitchen Tools
In french culinary technique, Mise en place (MEEZ ahn plahs) is a French term for having all your ingredients measured, cut, peeled, sliced, grated, etc. before you start cooking. Pans are prepared. Mixing bowls, tools and equipment set out
Step 2: ROCK – The Master Recipe
Plan that Big Meal
This is your dinner party meal, think the HOLIDAY TURKEY, with stuffing and gravy.
This recipe will likely have a big shopping list, and be the most complex, but it becomes the BASIS for all the subsequent Ripple Recipes, so don’t be afraid to go big. We will use it ALL.
Get the Ingredients
Shop for ALL the ingredients you need.
Prep & Execute
Cook the Rock Recipe. Host that badass dinner party.
Save the Surplus
No leftover left behind. Save that shit. All of it. You’ll use it later.
Step 3: RIPPLE – Remix the Recipe
Regroup
Gather all your surplus from the Rock Recipe and all the needed Pantry basics.
Speed Scratch
Chef’s use this term when you combine existing things to make a new thing. Do it. Follow the Ripple Recipe.
Repeat
Follow the subsequent Ripple Recipes until you have used ALL your Rock Recipe Surplus.
Step 4: REPEAT – Pro Level
Ripple & Repeat til all the surplus is gone 🙂
We’d love to see each of your ideas about how to Ripple our Rock Recipes.
Follow us on Instagram @Ripple_Recipes
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Source: RTS Food Waste in America
1, 5, 6, 10 Environmental Protection Agency
2, 3, 12, 13 U.S. Department of Agriculture
4 U.S. Food & Drug Administration
7, 8 National Conference of State Legislatures
9 United Nations
11 Natural Resources Defense Council