Leftovers

Love your leftovers to reduce food waste

In New Zealand we waste a lot of food because we cook too much.

Leftovers often get pushed to the back of the fridge, because we don’t feel like eating them, or simply forget about them. We find them days later, when they are even less appetising and into the bin they go.

So what should you do?

If you know you’re not a big fan of leftovers, or they just don’t get eaten in your house, then try to cook only as much as you need for each meal.

If you do have leftovers, take them for lunch the next day. It will save you time in the morning not having to make a sandwich before you rush out the door, and it will save you money as well.  It is important to refrigerate your leftovers to keep them safe, or if you aren’t going to eat them the following day, then freeze them.

When it comes to leftovers, remember the 2-2-2 rule:

Here’s a few more tips for making sure your leftovers are safe to eat:

Five ways to makeover leftovers:

With a little bit of creativity, you can turn your leftovers into something even better the second time around.

If it is spaghetti Bolognese one night, the next day you can add a tin of beans to the mince and have burritos. Leftover roast meat and vegetables can become cottage pies, croquettes or bubble and squeak. 

Cooked rice can be used for fried rice, rice pudding, rice-crusted quiche or crispy fried rice cakes. Other odds and ends can be used in a savoury bread pudding. 

Easy frypan frittata

More ideas for leftovers