Using leftovers to make a meal shouldn’t be seen as a sign of desperation; it is about reducing the amount of food waste we produce and saving ourselves money in the long term.
The amount of food that a typical family throws away each week is disgusting, and it all cost money in the first place. Instead of buying all of the food to throw away, get creative in the way that you shop and creative in the way that you cook so that as little is thrown away at the end of the week as possible. You will soon notice the difference in your grocery budget if you do.
Leftovers or Surplus?
The word leftovers in itself can be a bit of a put off as it implies that this is food that has been on someone’s plate that they just didn’t want to eat and is worth nothing more than binning, when really it’s not plate scrapings, it’s extra food.
It could be food left in the pan that didn’t get served or ingredients that didn’t get used, basically anything that was left over from the creation of the meal. But if you know that the meal you are going to prepare will make more than you need, why not make a little more so that you have enough to make another meal out of it?
Say for example you were making an evening meal of mince and dumplings, it’s rare in any family that a dumpling should ever become a left over, but you will always find that you have some of the savoury mince lift in the bottom of the casserole dish, so make more of it to start with. Something like savoury mince is a great foundation or bedrock recipe, and can be used to make further family meals through the week.
Using Foundation Recipes
Mince and dumplings it is, so seeing as though you are already making a savoury mince, make double the quantity and store the extra in the fridge, adding back to it the mince that is left in the bottom of the dish after you have served dinner.
This can now make another one if not two meals.
Still not sure what to make?
From the mince you have left in the fridge use half as the basis for a bolognaise sauce by adding some passata or tinned tomatoes and some garlic, possibly some chopped peppers and mushrooms too, this can be served with whatever pasta type you prefer, and remember you still have some mince left in the fridge that will be the basis of another meal.
With the last part of your savoury mince stock pile you could make some individual cottage pies or a chilli con carne, it depends of what your family prefers. But this week instead of buying three packs of mince and throwing away at least a pack as leftover waste you have created three hearty home cooked meals using only the two packs, and I would bet that there was very little wastage either.
A good foundation recipe can be adapted to suit the tastes and needs of any family all it needs is a little imagination, forethought and some savvy shopping.
Leftovers are not waste, they are surplus food that can be used create further meals for your ever hungry family.
To really make the most from your leftovers knowing the main foundation recipes can really help you.
Cooking schools can teach you the basics of cooking and help you to create creative dishes from left over ingredients.
Got your own tips and recipes for leftovers ? Leave us a comment below and let us know!
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