Luscious leftovers

Good Food Blog

What is RSS?

Posted at 2:02PM, 28 July 2008 by Carol Wilson - Food writer

It's shocking that every family in the UK throws away around £600 worth of food every year. Apparently we buy too much and end up throwing out food that's gone off or has passed its sell-by date.

Our thrifty grandparents, proficient at turning leftovers into tasty dishes, would be horrified at this waste. In this throwaway age we seem to lack their skills - or perhaps we just can't be bothered?

But, now that we're all watching the pennies, it makes sense to cut the weekly food bill - although I wouldn't go as far as someone I know, who boils up leftover salad into soup - a sort of pond-green sludge that tastes as bad as it looks! Fortunately, leftovers can be transformed into appetising dishes and no one would guess how little they cost to make.

Leftovers can be transformed into appetising dishes and no one would guess how little they cost to make.

Sliced cucumber and wilting lettuce sautéed in a little oil, garlic and salt are delicious. Cooked meat, poultry and cooked vegetables can be stirred into beaten eggs to make a tasty frittata.

Parmesan baskets are easy to make; use fresh cheese though - not ready-grated tubs. Grate the cheese (add a few chopped nuts if you have them) and place tablespoons, well apart on a non-stick baking tray. Pat out evenly and bake for about 5 minutes Gas 4/180C until bubbling. Drape over a greased orange or upturned small bowl. Remove when cold and fill with salad, risotto, etc.

Make a batch of savoury muffins with some odds and ends, e.g. cheese, cooked ham, etc. Cheese and tomato muffins served warm are scrumptious.

Leftovers can be transformed into appetising dishes and no one would guess how little they cost to make.

Stale bread (croissants, brioche, French bread, fruit loaf) makes wonderful bread and butter pudding ; jazz up the basic pudding with marmalade, chocolate, nuts, syrup or honey. A savoury version with cheese, ham or bacon and onions is terrific with a crisp green salad.

I love rich French toast - bread fingers soaked in beaten egg, cream, sugar and vanilla, then cooked in a greased frying pan until golden and crisp; alternatively soak the bread in wine and sugar, then dip into beaten egg and fry in a little butter. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.

Fruit (apples, pears, berries) is delicious simmered with a little apple juice (or juice from canned fruit) and a dash of cinnamon. Serve with ice cream or yoghurt. I freeze the juice from canned fruit to make tasty ice cubes for drinks. Black or overripe bananas make the best banana loaf cake or ice cream.

Cartons of yoghurt lurking in the fridge make wonderfully light scones and cakes. I've used hazelnut and strawberry yoghurts (not together!) to make a cake. Make creamy ice lollies by inserting lollipop sticks into the cartons and freeze. Remove the carton and voila! Children just love them.

What are your ideas for using leftovers?

Comments

Coffeebean

28 July 2008, 2:55PM
Coffeebean

This is a bit off-topic but I want to start eating more healthily (I tend to cook with a lot of butter and sugar) and I wanted to see if people could recommend their favourite healthy-eating cook books. I would have written my own blog-post but I'm new to the site and haven't figured out how to start one yet. Any suggestions?

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Coffeebean

28 July 2008, 3:01PM
Coffeebean

PS Any healthy-eating cook books that make use of left overs all the better! ;-D

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
James

28 July 2008, 3:57PM
James

Making an elderflower poached chicken dish a couple of weeks ago I boned all the chicken and was about to throw away the carcasses (6) before I realised what a waste it was. I broked the in half and boiled them up and used the stock to make a thai chicken broth with left over greens, soy, chilli and ginger that were also in the fridge. Once cool the carcasses yielded a lot of tender meat too (well they were top quality (free-range, organic & local) which I froze and is destined for curry (great in hot weather strangely), or maybe a thai chicken salad - chilli sauce, lime segments, coriander etc.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
James

28 July 2008, 4:07PM
James

How to turn meat trimmings into meals: http://www.thecotswoldfoodyear.com/2008/03/kitchen-tips-17-after-dinner-mince.html - it can also be done with left over roasts. If it's left over it an probably go with pasta - keep hoi sin sauce, chilli sauce, whole grain mustard and pesto in your fridge and you always have quick pasta/noodle dishes on tap - like this one made with left over macaroni: http://www.thecotswoldfoodyear.com/2008/04/ratatouille-macaroni-cheese-pronto.html. Left over bread (especially crusts) can become croutons for salad (alternative to potatoes?) or with some old tomatoes sliced on top, cheese and left over bacon from breakfast - quick 1950's style pizza.....

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
kipperelli

28 July 2008, 4:35PM
kipperelli

A big part of the problem for me is portion control. Do i keep that leftover portion of lasagne which will make meals next day awkward so i'll freeze it till I've got enough left over portions to make another meal but as that will take forever i'll find it at the bottom of the freezer with the frozen peas that always break out. Or does it get left for people to pick at till it disapears but isn't exactly healthy. If I could just cook the exact amount each time!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Dorothy

28 July 2008, 9:39PM
Dorothy

I have been brought up not to waste food (starving children in Africa etc.) I've bought a good vacuum sealer, one that you can seal manually or automatic so that soft fruits won't get crushed. Food stays fresher and if you do buy a supermarket bargain, seal and freeze the freebie. Food that is vacuum sealed also takes up less room in the freezer and won't get freezer burn. They aren't that expensive and you will save in the long run on wasted food.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Marie

29 July 2008, 9:01AM
Marie

I don't have many leftovers because I only cook what I think I will need, and because I have a son with hollow legs. But if I have leftover meat from a joint which would look a bit mean on the plate I put it in a bechamel sauce with some vegetables, maybe a pepper which needs using up, frozen peas etc then I put the mixture in pancakes, home made of course, and bake them in the oven with some cheese sprinkled over.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Peta

29 July 2008, 12:48PM
Peta

I agree with James - no poultry carcass EVER escapes our kitchen without simmering for stock (good time to use the giblets if you didn't make gravy) and the meat gets scraped off too for the soup. Remember, if you are too busy after entertaining and have some leftover carcasses, just flatten them and stick them in freezer bags and store in freezer until you do have time.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
robert

30 July 2008, 8:30AM
robert

I'm new to the blogs but love reading them and the comments. I like the ideas for using left over chicken and Carol's idea of freezing the juice from tinned fruit. I buy mandarin oranges and pineapple and usually just throw the juice away (sorry!). THe French toast sounds yummy. I buy French bread which goes stale very quickly so will be trying these puds this week.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Zara

30 July 2008, 1:19PM
Zara

Has anyone used the website - lovefoodhatewaste.com it is brilliant for using up leftovers. You just choose what it is you have left over and it gives you lots of ideas of what to cook or freeze. It also helps with portion sizes....which I need!!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Nicola

31 July 2008, 10:52AM
Nicola

If you have too many tomatoes, peppers, cucumber etc, whizz it all is a blender with garlic, red wine vinegar and plenty of olive oil and then chill to make a tasty gazpacho. Soft fruit and out of date yoghurt also make great smoothies.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Sue W

31 July 2008, 3:27PM
Sue W

Overripe bananas! Well you can do a host of things â�� but some popular choices of mine include mashed up and spread on toasted bread with a little cinnamon (honey too for indulgence) and a real favourite of mine is thinly spread marmite over rice cakes with mashed banana on, it is delicious â��trust me! (OK an acquired taste). And remember this too â�� banana is an excellent slow release carbohydrate food and an excellent source of Potassium and B vitamins. It is totally not necessary to throw â��overripeâ�� bananas away. In fact it is almost criminal to throw â��overripeâ�� bananas away. And No I donâ��t own a banana plantation.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Sue W

31 July 2008, 3:29PM
Sue W

opps! not sure what the little squares and things are. I will have to check. Sorry everyone !

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
smitty

1 August 2008, 2:50PM
smitty

I make pancakes and use any left over meat and vegetables as a filling. I grate odd bits of cheese, mix them with butter and dry sherry to make a cheese spread

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Joanne

3 August 2008, 5:18PM
Joanne

When I have lots of veg to use up in the fridge (you know the ones lurking in the compartment at the bottom!) - I use them all up my making a minestrone or vegetable soup by dicing it all up and adding to stock. Or for a quicker option, I use them up in a frittata.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Chris Pakett

4 August 2008, 10:16AM
Chris Pakett

In the unlikely event that wine has been left over it can be frozen, to be used later in sauces etc.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Helen

9 August 2008, 8:45AM
Helen

I have just grown my first marrows. Could you please let me know any recipes you may have or ideas? Thank you Helen

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Jill

1 September 2008, 2:37PM
Jill

This is good for big marrows which can otherwise be tasteless. Roast sliced marrow with olive oil and lots of rosemary sprigs; meanwhile fry onions and ham/ bacon, add flour and milk to make a sauce. Marrow in a dish, sauce over, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and optional cheese, back in reduced-heat oven for a while. Enjoy!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Joy

13 November 2008, 9:13AM
Joy

IF (and I realise it is an IF) there is any wine at the bottom of the bottle(s) after a dinner party (or any other time!) freeze this in ice cube trays and then use the wine cubes to add to gravies/sauces etc. as required.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:

Your binder

Here are three other great reasons to sign up:

You get an online binder, where you can store all your favourite recipes and create menus.
You can add your own recipes to this site for others to try; plus, rate and make comments on recipes, and share your views on our blog.
You can sign up for our weekly newsletter (sent out on Wednesdays) - it's packed with recipes, special offers and competitions.

Search Good Food

Keywords

Refine your recipe search

Search filter options

BBC Good Food

Primary Navigation

Good Food Blog