Recipe needed for half and half about to expire

[FigmentSpark]

Just came home from a Disney cruise to find that DS, who stayed at home, decided this was the year to give up cream in his coffee. So... 1 pint of half and half that actually has a 'best before' date of March 19. I used a bit in my coffee today, so it's still fine, but it isn't lasting until DH and I can finish it and I have another one that has a March 29 date, so the clock is ticking on this cream.

Do I just give up and toss it? Or can I use it in some recipe? Right now, my brain only goes to substituting the milk in a Jello instant pudding with the half and half, but I don't want it to be too different or I'm the one stuck eating it.

Any ideas, thoughts or recommendations?

 

[ronandannette]

Try a pasta dish. Garlic butter and the cream, seasoned to your taste and reduced to a nice, saucy consistency. It's great with shrimp or chicken added in.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Mix it with a can of tomato soup concentrate (instead of the water.)

Make an Alfredo sauce.
Bread pudding.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

I would make scalloped potatoes

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Another for pasta sauce. You can do a lemon/garlic/cream/parsley/cheese with some chicken, and add more veggies like broccoli or asparagus if you like. We’ve also been into mushroom raviolis with onions, garlic, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, cheese and half and half till the sauce thickens.

ETA These are some we made recently (as listed). We’ve tried out the half and half vs heavy cream. I buy half and half most of the time if I am shopping; DH often chooses the heavy cream.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Try a pasta dish. Garlic butter and the cream, seasoned to your taste and reduced to a nice, saucy consistency. It's great with shrimp or chicken added in.

Will it still be fine to cook with, you think? It won't turn in the pot?

Mix it with a can of tomato soup concentrate (instead of the water.)

Make an Alfredo sauce.
Bread pudding.

I normally use milk in Tomato soup... good idea, but will it be too creamy?

 

[jdb in AZ]

Will it still be fine to cook with, you think? It won't turn in the pot?


I normally use milk in Tomato soup... good idea, but will it be too creamy?

I've been known to use heavy cream in my soup. veddy posh.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Will it still be fine to cook with, you think? It won't turn in the pot?


I normally use milk in Tomato soup... good idea, but will it be too creamy?

I have read that half and half turns (curdles) if you allow it to boil, so don’t let it boil. It should be fine if it didn’t curdle in your coffee this morning!

 

[ronandannette]

Will it still be fine to cook with, you think? It won't turn in the pot?


I normally use milk in Tomato soup... good idea, but will it be too creamy?

Well, if it's gone over, it won't be OK but you can tell that from the taste/smell. Also DON'T use any acid with it (lemon juice or vinegar) or it will most definitely curdle and reduce it at a very gentle boil so it doesn't separate from the butter.

You could always just throw together a cake mix and use the cream instead of water for a richer result, and use some of it to make frosting. That might be easier and who doesn't love cupcakes on a random Tuesday?

 

[Mle8308]

Put it in the freezer? Freeze the one with the 3/29 expiration date and take it out when you need it? Most items are fine a week to two weeks beyond the expiration date, and if frozen it will last longer.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Just came home from a Disney cruise to find that DS, who stayed at home, decided this was the year to give up cream in his coffee. So... 1 pint of half and half that actually has a 'best before' date of March 19. I used a bit in my coffee today, so it's still fine, but it isn't lasting until DH and I can finish it and I have another one that has a March 29 date, so the clock is ticking on this cream.

Do I just give up and toss it? Or can I use it in some recipe? Right now, my brain only goes to substituting the milk in a Jello instant pudding with the half and half, but I don't want it to be too different or I'm the one stuck eating it.

Any ideas, thoughts or recommendations?

Quiche - it's the classic use for half and half. Using any meat and veg you like or just go plain cheese...

 

[MICKIMINI]

Pumpkin pudding or chicken pie (white sauce).

 

[unrequited23]

https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/copycat-panera-cream-of-chicken-and-wild-rice-soup-recipe/

I make this at least 4 times during the winter.

 

[RamblingMad]

Toss it.

If he gave it up, that doesn't mean put in something else. You're supposed to be supportive.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

I had some half n half and apples that needed to be used, and I made a baked apple french toast. It came out really well, didn't even need syrup. I used a hazelnut brioche (that had Nutella running through it), instead of challah, as that's what I had on hand.

https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/baked-apple-french-toast.html?recipe_print=yes

 

[jo-jo]

Toss it.

If he gave it up, that doesn't mean put in something else. You're supposed to be supportive.

He doesn't need to eat whatever it's used it. Parents are still using half and half in their coffee.

 

[ronandannette]

Toss it.

If he gave it up, that doesn't mean put in something else. You're supposed to be supportive.

Read the OP. Just because he's now taking his coffee black doesn't mean he's sworn off rich dairy products.

 

[RamblingMad]

Read the OP. Just because he's now taking his coffee black doesn't mean he's sworn off rich dairy products.

That makes no sense to me.

 

[ronandannette]

That makes no sense to me.

What doesn't? That a person would decide to stop taking cream (or sugar or whatever) in their coffee? Tastes change or some people even go on jags of eating/drinking a lot of something until one day they don't. I can't count how many times I've purchased something either DH or DS has been enjoying regularly only to have them go off it for some reason and then I have to figure out a different way to use the item (or throw it out), just like @FigmentSpark.

 

[FigmentSpark]

My DS just decided that since he was on his own, he'd try some different things. He's found that he likes black coffee. It has nothing to do with "healthier", just experimenting. So no, he would still eat other things with cream in it. And he fries his eggs in butter, so, you know, not about the health conscious at all, lol.

I'm leaning towards the pasta sauce, but the other ideas are really great, too.

Thanks.