Cooking with leftovers

‘Waste not, want not’, but unfortunately we sometimes make a bit too much. A bit of cauliflower, half an onion, some leftovers from last night’s evening meal, cooked and uncooked food – such a shame to just throw it away. But with a list of handy favourite dishes that are ideal for using leftovers, no ingredient need go unused.

Smart recipes

-         Stir-fry dishes are perfect for using that half a pepper, a bit of meat (or meat alternative), fish, a few prawns from the freezer, some leftover pine nuts or a piece of ginger. Finish the dish with some tasty flavourings from the larder like chilli sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil and serve with noodles or rice. 

-         Soup is easy to make with some leftover vegetables, potatoes, pulses, fresh herbs put in a bouillon, with a little cream cheese or other cheese that melts easily. Then just blend and serve. 

-         Spanish tortilla is another easy recipe made using leftovers. Cooked broccoli, beans, cauliflower, potatoes, even chips, as well as raw vegetables can be quickly fried with some garlic in a frying pan. Add a beaten egg mixed with some cream and fresh herbs and gently fry the tortilla for 15 minutes until golden on both sides. Delicious with any leftover grated cheese scattered over the top. 

-         Rice and pasta salad, from some leftover cooked pasta or rice, with some tuna or frozen crab sticks and cooked vegetables, finished with a dressing from sauces from the larder and seasoned with fresh or dried herbs and some toasted croutons.  

There are lots of ways to use leftovers. Plan two leftover days in the week. You’ll waste less, it’s less work and you give leftovers a second chance.