#KitchenClearout November roundup and December linky

It's a bit crazy to think that this month's #KitchenClearout linky will probably end up bringing in various ways of using up the leftover Christmas turkey and accompaniments, mincemeat and all the other festive odds and ends lying around - how can we be into December already ?! Well, in the meantime, I've been making space in the baking cupboard, and it looks like I'm not the only one. Here's this month's roundup of tasty ways to use up what's been hanging around in the kitchen cupboards, freezer and fridge.

It's all systems go for Christmas now but back at the start of this month's linky, I shared my ghoulishly realistic Halloween recipe for witch's finger biscuits, which used up the end of a bag of icing sugar and the last bit of some strawberry jam.

Sweet & Sticky Chinese Chicken & Vegetables was a surprisingly successful throw-it-all-in-the-pot recipe that finished off a box of cornflour, as well as various condiments that were taking up space in the cupboard.

I'm not a huge fan of cottage cheese but I'd happily munch on one (or several !) of Galina's Cottage Cheese Biscuits, over at Chez Maximka.

I decided to use up a box of pearl barley that was lurking at the back of the cupboard and the result was a tasty pearl barley, bacon and veg "risotto", perfect for a chilly winter evening.

Another surprisingly good "what's taking up space in the cupboard today?" recipe was Beef & Veg Ramen Stir-Fry - this used up lots of odds and ends including a ramen noodle soup kit and some leftover steak.

A surprised shriek of "that's not pumpkin !" when I went to make pumpkin soup evolved into a delicious meal of spaghetti squash with cherry tomatoes and chorizo. Nothing goes to waste at The Madhouse ! I'm not entirely sure it was spaghetti squash either, but it was tasty, whatever it was.

A warming bowl of German-inspired Potato Soup cleared out the veg compartment of the fridge.

Halfway between lasagne and moussaka, a Mince & Potato Layered Casserole used up some pre-baked potatoes.

My first festive bake of the season ! Christmas Cake Cupcakes used up the end of a bag of marshmallows.

Alison at Dragons and Fairy Dust has a lovely idea for an edible Christmas gift - chocolate orange hearts. They look like a great little project for the kids to make ... and eat !

An excess of dried fruit in the baking cupboard was transformed into a Moroccan-inspired Lamb, Prune & Dried Apricot Tagine - the perfect winter warmer.

Another product that was lurking at the back of the baking cupboard was a bag of coconut sugar, along with some other ends of packets, which I transformed into Apricot & Cashew Nut Coconut Sugar Cookies.

Fancy joining in? Have a rummage through your kitchen cupboards, spice rack, freezer or fridge and see if there's anything that needs using up then come and share your creations with us. Or if it's way past its sell-by date, throw it in the bin and come and tell us what you found ! It would be great if you could add my badge and a link to this post for anyone else who wants to get involved.