Whether you love them or hate them, leftovers are often an inevitable part of cooking and eating. On some days, we cook a lot, while on others, we just don’t have the appetite to finish what's on our plate.
You may find your refrigerator gradually filling up with containers of leftover meals and unfinished food. By the end of the week, you may end up throwing all that food straight into the trash.
Despite many people thinking that wasting food is wrong, the world still discards tons of leftovers each year, costing millions of dollars. This leads to the wastage of significant amounts of food, money, and effort.
Here are 10 helpful tips from "Matrakhsidti" to help you enjoy your leftovers and save time and money by eating food you’ve already cooked:
1. Remember the 2-2-2 Rule
This is crucial for ensuring your leftovers are safe to eat. Make sure to cool the food, cover it, and refrigerate it within two hours of cooking. You should eat leftovers within two days, either cold or reheated until very hot.
2. Freeze It if Unsure
If you don’t think you'll eat your leftovers within two days, freeze them! Almost anything can be frozen. Not only does this prevent waste, but it also builds a stock of meals for when you need a quick dinner. If you don’t have enough containers for freezing, try using sandwich-sized plastic bags for soups or stews. They stack well in the freezer and thaw quickly.
3. Label Your Leftovers
You might think you’ll remember that there’s chicken curry in the green container, but we all end up with fridges full of unidentified frozen items. Label your leftovers with the type of food and the date they were cooked.
4. Plan What to Eat
Label your leftovers with a "Eat Me First" tag, especially if you live with kids or roommates. Having a designated spot in the fridge for "first to eat" items will help prevent teenagers from snacking on meals you've planned to use for dinner.
5. Choose Different Meal Options
If leftovers are piling up in your fridge, make it a regular habit each week to check the fridge and create a meal from what you have. Your dinner might turn into an assortment of food, but it’ll give you a night off from cooking! Keep basic items like wraps, eggs, or bread on hand to bulk up the meal if needed.
6. Get Creative with Leftovers
If you only have a small amount left, try transforming it into a new dish. You can make a pie, add it to pizza, mix it with extra vegetables or beans, or even use it as a filling for sandwiches or wraps.
7. Serve Portions Smartly
If you’re feeding a family, let everyone serve themselves. This way, they’ll only take what they think they’ll eat, and instead of scraping leftovers from their plates into the trash, you can store the remainder for another meal.
8. Improve Your Skills
Master some basic techniques to turn your leftovers into new meals so you don’t have to eat the same dish twice. Try making a frittata, soup, or pie with the leftovers.
9. Leftovers Can Be for Any Meal
Many people eat leftovers for lunch the next day, but who says you can’t have them for breakfast or afternoon tea? It doesn’t matter when you eat them—just make sure you do!
10. Avoid Wet Salads
Don’t add dressing to your salad if you think you won’t finish it all. No one enjoys wilted salad the day after it’s been made. Instead, serve the dressing in a jug on the table, so the leftover salad remains crisp for the next day.
By implementing these simple tips, you can make the most of your leftovers, reducing food waste and saving time and money. Enjoy your meals in a way that’s both convenient and sustainable!
Post a Comment