Don’t let those leftovers go to waste when you can turn them into something even better! Here are three ways that you can give those delicious leftovers new life. Not only will it reduce food wastage, but you can save time and (most importantly) your grocery budget.
Breathe new life into your meals
Your extra portions are full of potential! Whether you’ve cooked way too much food or if that was your plan from the get-go, you can always breathe new life into any leftover portions. It might even taste better than your OG meal. Here are some suggestions for the following leftover ingredients:
Rice
Fried rice
Asian rice salad with shredded roast chicken
Immune-boosting lemony chicken and brown rice broth
Watermelon poke bowl
Meat
Spicy chicken with pea patties
Chicken mayo sandwich with pickled red onion
Vietnamese chicken pancakes
Pork spring rolls with red-wine reduction
Vegetables
Roast vegetable and ginger snap cups
Crispy Asian dumplings
Freeze for a busy day
Instead of storing your leftovers in the fridge, go straight for the freezer. Whenever you cook and have extra portions left, freeze them in small containers and mark them clearly. Those containers are a lifesaver when life gets too busy one day and you can just defrost a meal or use those small portions to re-create a quick new meal. That way you can cook once and still reap the benefits weeks later.
Clear your fridge once a week
Does your fridge look like a rainbow of containers filled with leftovers by the end of the week? Inspect all the contents, check what’s still good to eat, then serve your family a buffet-style meal with the week’s leftovers. Mix and match your food to create a main dish. Or create fun new dishes like wraps, sandwiches and salads by adding some extra ready-to-eat ingredients. It’s a no-fuss way of feeding your family without the hassle of cooking (again).