Waste Not, Want Not: Simple Ways To Create Flavorful Meals With Leftovers

We need to talk about food. Did you know that about one-third of all food produced in the world goes to waste? That’s right, a whopping one-third. It’s a shocking statistic, isn’t it? And it’s not just a waste of food; it’s also a waste of resources, time, and money. Not to mention the impact it has on the environment. Or that there are people around the world going without while food continues to go to waste.

So, what can we do about it? Well, one simple solution is to use our leftovers to create new and delicious meals. Trust me; it’s not as difficult as you may think.

Image by Sarah Chai via Pexels

Storing

First things first – storage. In order to use leftovers effectively, they need to be stored appropriately. No throwing them in the fridge and forgetting about them. Instead, store them in airtight containers labeled with dates so you know when they were put there. Otherwise, they might go bad before you realize they exist and cause serious health risks. And nobody wants that.

Another tip is to freeze your leftovers if you’re not going to use them within a few days. This way, they’ll stay fresh for a longer period, and it can help stretch your budget. Plus, it’s handy to have some pre-cooked meals in the freezer for those busy days when you don’t have time to cook from scratch.

Repurposing

Let’s move on to repurposing leftovers. This is where things get really exciting! There’s so much you can do with leftover food. From turning chicken into salad or soup to even using vegetables to create stir frys, frittatas, or omelets; there’s nothing you can’t turn into something tasty.

But leftovers don’t just need to be eaten as they come. Think about how you can transform them into something entirely different. For instance, leftover spaghetti can be turned into a spaghetti pie, and leftover mashed potatoes can be turned into potato pancakes. The key is to be creative and experiment with different flavor combinations.

Ideas

Now, we know what you’re thinking. This all sounds great, but what can I actually make with my leftovers? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. Here are some recipe ideas to get you started:

Leftover Chili Mac And Cheese: Mix together leftover chili with cooked macaroni and top with shredded cheese. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Pair with chopped Mexican salad with cilantro lime dressing for out-of-this-world flavors.

Turkey And Cranberry Panini: Spread cranberry sauce on two slices of bread. Layer leftover turkey and cheese on top, and grill in a panini press until golden brown and crispy. Simple, easy, tasty. What’s not to love?

Vegetable Stir-Fry: Saute leftover vegetables in a hot pan with some oil and soy sauce. Add leftover rice and cook until heated through. Serve with extra soy sauce and sesame seeds. Make sure to heat rice through properly to avoid a nasty bug!

Ham And Cheese Quiche: Mix together leftover ham, cheese, eggs, and milk in a pie crust. Bake in the oven until golden brown and set. If you like making meals in advance, pastry is something that’s great to do in bulk, then freeze. Then you can whip it out whenever you feel like a quiche.

Chicken Pot Pie: Got some leftover pastry from your quiche? No problem. Mix together leftover chicken, vegetables, and gravy in a pie crust. Bake in the oven until the crust is golden brown and crispy. The perfect meal to warm your cockles.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks! Waste not, want not. It’s as simple as that. By using your leftovers, you can save money, reduce food waste, and create delicious meals that everyone will love. Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with different flavors and ingredients. The possibilities are endless!

So, next time you’re thinking of throwing away food, stop a second and consider. How can I make this into a new and exciting recipe? You might even surprise yourself.

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Lisa Ehrman

Lisa has been blogging since 2013, and loves sharing resources and ideas for living a simple life. To get free printables, bonus words, and more - sign up for the newsletter.