11 fun ideas for ‘reinventing’ leftovers

Just like people, some leftovers actually improve with age while others aren’t so lucky. The trick to having ‘fun’ with leftovers is knowing which dishes will fit into which category.

I also find it’s super important to mix things up. Here are 11 ideas to keep leftovers in the ‘fun’ and tasty end of the food spectrum.

1. Take a break.

Having the same leftovers for more than one meal in a row can make even the most unadventurous eater get a little tired. But a break of even just one day can make them seem ‘new’ again.

Most things will keep for a week in the fridge and much longer in the freezer so don’t feel pressured into eating all the leftovers before moving onto other dishes.

2. Freeze some.

If you’ve got way more than you can possibly eat in a week, be sure to freeze at least some. It’s amazing how a few weeks spell in the freezer can make something totally ‘old’ seem fun again.

Most things, with the exception of raw veg dishes or salads, freeze well. So if in doubt give it a try!

3. Share the love.

Either take leftovers into work to share with your colleagues. Or invite some friends over for dinner – no need to tell them they’re doing you a favour by eating up your leftovers.

4. The leftover leafy salad

Make a classic green salad and turn it into a meal by scattering over your leftovers, that have been chopped into bight sized pieces, if needed. Works with either cold leftovers or warm them up for a lovely warm salad.

5. The leftover & legume salad

If you’ve got some leftovers but not enough to make a meal out of them, give them a little ‘stretch’ by tossing warmed leftover through cooked or canned lentils or beans. A handful of some fresh leaves, herbs or finely sliced celery can help to freshen it all up.

6. The leftover sandwich or wrap

The Earl of Sandwich was onto a good thing. Most things do taste better between two slices of bread. Just don’t forget to add something fresh and something saucy to keep it moist. Slow carbers should apply the same rule to an ‘ice berg lettuce wrap’.

7. The leftover ‘toastie’

Without the fabulous invention that is the ‘toasted sandwich maker’, I would have starved to death during college. It never ceased to amaze me how a practically inedible meal could be turned into a tasty delight by popping it in a ‘toastie’. The addition of a good melting cheese shouldn’t be overlooked either.

8. The leftover soup

Bring a few cups of water, tomato puree or stock to the simmer and add your leftovers (chopped into bight sized pieces). Instant divinely warming soup.

9. The leftover baked frittata

Leftover cooked vegetables, legumes, starches, protein, herbs and even cheese, can all go into making the most divine baked frittata. Use the recipe over here as a base and get creative.

10. Change the nationality of your dish

This can be tricky with strongly flavoured dishes like curries. But for more European style recipes, a change in nationality can make all the difference.

For example a pot of leftover beans could have curry powder added and served with yoghurt and fresh coriander (cilantro) to become an Indian curry. A little coconut milk and Thai curry paste and you have a smiling Thai almost-native.

We’ll cover more on this in Week 5 when we discuss flavour profile templates and common flavour pairings.

11. The ‘serving with a different side / accompaniment’ trick

Take example from a classic sauce of minced meat with garlic and tomatoes. Add spaghetti and a generous sprinkling of cheese and it becomes ‘bolognese’. Serve over corn chips and melt some cheese on top, add a splodge of sour cream and it becomes ‘nachos’. Or serve on a baked potato and it takes on an Irish vibe.

Back to: Master Your Meal Plan Overview.