Tips and Tricks for Using Leftovers

Every year Kiwis throw away $100 million worth of leftovers. That’s a lot of food, money and effort going to waste!

Love Food Hate Waste has five great tips to help you love your leftovers, so you can enjoy the extra time and money that comes from eating the food you have already cooked.

1. Remember the 2-2-2 Rule

This is the most important thing when it comes to leftovers to ensure they are safe to eat. Make sure you cool them, cover them and get them into the fridge within two hours of cooking. Eat your leftovers within two days. Either eat them cold or heat them until they are piping hot.

2. If in Doubt, Freeze

If you don’t think you are going to eat your leftovers within two days, freeze them! Pretty much anything can be frozen. If you don’t have enough containers for freezing, try using sandwich-sized ziplock bags for things like soups and stews. They stack well in the freezer and are quick to defrost. Just make sure you label them so you don’t end up with a freezer filled with UFO’s (Unidentified Frozen Objects).

3. Mix and Match

If your leftovers are accumulating in the fridge, set aside a regular meal each week when you raid the fridge. Your meal may end up being a random assortment of food, but you’ll get a night off cooking! Make sure you have staples such as wraps, eggs or bread to bulk out the meal if necessary.

4. A Little Bit Can Go a Long Way

Even if you’ve only got a little bit of something left, don’t throw it, save it. A little bit can go a long way if you know the right tricks. Try turning your leftovers into a pie, putting them on a pizza or pad them out with extra vegetables, beans or bread on the side.

5. Upskill

Master a couple of simple techniques to help you transform your leftovers into a new meal, so you’re not eating the same meal twice. Try a frittata, soup or pie.

To find out more ways you can reduce your food waste visit Love Food Hate Waste or follow Love Food Hate Waste on Facebook