Food waste is a topical issue in the country, making it important to discuss how to curb it. According to statistics, the average household wastes one pound of food per person. This adds up to 103 million tons in a year. Certainly, something drastic can be done to prevent this, and that’s where leftovers come into the picture. Reports show that 18% of people eat leftovers as a money-saving technique. Perhaps, if more people could do that, food waste would be effectively reduced. Here are some clever ways to use up your leftovers.
- Use as the next day’s lunch
Having leftovers for lunch the next day is an excellent way to save money. More importantly, you would have solved your household’s potential food waste problem. Leftovers also save you time in the kitchen because you don’t have to cook anything from scratch. If anything at all, the leftovers can complement other ready dishes to make a full meal.
The type of leftovers you have will determine if they can be used as a side dish or a full meal. For example, spicy shredded beetroot and carrot coleslaw can make a delicious side dish the next day. Moreover, because it wouldn’t stay for many days in the refrigerator, it still maintains its crunchiness. Rice dish leftovers can be the main meal for lunch the next day. You may want to give it an extra garnishing with diced vegetables.
- Turn leftovers into stuffing
Your stuffing shouldn’t always be reserved for special occasions like Christmas. They can be used or consumed at any time of the year. Only make sure your leftover is not mushy when it must be used as stuffing for chicken or turkey dishes. Many American stuffing dishes contain starchy ingredients. That is because starch acts as a binding component. Therefore, if your leftovers contain anything of the sort, they can be reused within a week.
When it comes to starchy foods, you may want to pay closer attention to the state of any bread leftovers. If you plan to use it for any stuffing dish, it would be best to ensure that it’s dry enough. For example, if your next dish is a traditional Thanksgiving stuffing, fresh bread may become mushy or soggy even after a day. The one important rule when turning leftovers into stuffing is ensuring that everything is consumed within two days. Any longer than that, and the food might be rendered unwholesome.
- Fix a leftovers’ night into your weekly cooking schedule
It is easy to completely forget about leftovers in your freezer. This is why culinary experts say dedicating a night per week to eating only leftovers is worthwhile. Doing this means you eliminate the chances of consuming leftovers only when you remember there’s one in your kitchen’s cold compartment. This strategy has worked for many households who say they don’t need to spend another hour or more cooking a new dish.
It would be an excellent habit for busy households to dedicate one day of the week to this. And it is a great way to clear out stacked bowls or containers occupying space in the refrigerator. Remember that these cooling appliances need unhindered air circulation to keep your foods fresh for longer.