We all have a habit of cooking for ten people when only entertaining four and then wondering what to do with all the leftovers. Don’t just place them in the fridge and forget about them until the following week, as there are many alternatives that will take your dinner a long way. We have put together some creative ideas for turning yesterday’s dinner into tomorrow’s delights.
Leftover Proteins
Reusing the proteins of your dinner is the easiest thing to do. It doesn’t matter if you have fish, chicken, or beef; all you have to do is shred it and attach it to a stir-fry dish. You can also make a colorful and healthy salad and add your seasoned chicken or seafood for a healthy and balanced meal.
Quiches and Pies
Your leftover vegetables can make a wonderful pie or quiche. They can easily turn into a light lunch alongside a fresh green salad. If you do not want to bother with making a shortcrust pastry for the quiche, simply mix all of your leftover vegetables with eggs, cheese, and seasoning, bake in the oven until golden brown, and then you have a recycled vegetable bake.
Pasta
For this next reuse leftovers suggestion, you can use any pasta shape you have. Take your fish, meat, or chicken leftovers, together with the leftover vegetable, and toss them in a frying pan with a little olive oil, parmesan cheese, and pine kernels (we love pine kernels), and within minutes, you will have created the ultimate satisfying pasta dish that would do honors to any Italian kitchen.
Glorious Soups
This is a leftover solution that no one will believe was made of yesterday’s menu. Place all of the vegetables you have (add some fresh ones if you don’t have enough), and blend them until smooth in a food process. You can add a splash of cream for a comforting touch, and there you have a velvety and creamy winter soup.
Recipe, Please!
Taking one dinner and turning it into two meals is an art. Not only is it fun, creative, and a huge money saver, but it is also a great way to practice sustainability. You don’t have to take things too far, as all of the added ingredients are waiting for you in your kitchen cupboards. No one has to know you used the leftovers from the previous meal, and we promise these new dishes will taste so good that everyone will ask for the recipe.