Since we’re talking leftovers, I’d love to hear your favourite leftover meal creations?
Which dishes do you think work best as leftovers?
AND more importantly, which types of leftovers do you struggle to get rid of or find solutions for?
Share your leftover loves (and hates!) in the comments below…
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The worst leftovers are the ones that weren’t such a great meal to begin with! My husband made a Moroccan stew last week and we still have a few small containers left in the fridge. I tried to reinvent it with the addition of lentils, but he’s decided he now has a “taste aversion” and won’t touch it. Since I’m not a fan of the stew in general, I fear the remaining bits will go in the trash.
The best leftovers, for me, are lentils. I made a giant batch of spiced lentils about 2 months ago and froze half. Since then, I’ve added, on separate occasions, canned diced tomatoes, kale and spinach, seitan, and Quorn Naked Cutlet chunks; I think I’ve gotten about 5 different meals out of that one batch of lentils.
I’ve also had problems keeping guacamole fresh. One trick that has worked for me is pressing a bit of wax paper or cling wrap into the surface of the guacamole. It helps keep out any air that turns it brown. You can get about 2-3 days out of one batch this way.
Yes Maeghan..
Bad meals to begin with usually don’t improve.. although sometimes they do! I find a radical flavour change, like dumping a heap of curry powder in it can sometimes help.. but not always.
Thx for the guacamole idea.. will have to try it out
my favourite left over is curry and rice… I always make a little extra for lunch the next day.
my worst if tomato salsa and guacamole… the first I just can’t seem to use up, and the second just doesn’t keep well.
Hannah!
Yes guacamole doesn’t do well… although I wonder if it would help covering it with a layer of olive or other oil to prevent oxdation?
Same with salsa.. although I have been known to throw leftover bits of salsa into a stew, soup or other slow cooked dish.
The other day I had a very small amount of leftover chicken risotto, I also had some corn on the cob and a bit a salad. I made the leftover risotto and corn into fritters and served them with salad. The kids loved them. I’ve also made fitters with leftover roast meat too, just dice small.
Melissa!
Fritters are a brilliant way to rework leftovers. Thanks for sharing!
Thankfully, my husband doesn’t mind leftovers and I don’t either. Leftover chicken is always good – can do so many things with it.
My husband & I have three grown children and four grandchildren and when they all come home, I often make a big pot of taco seasoned meat and we have “build your own” taco salad which they all love but I tend to make too much of the taco seasoned meat and then my husband & I end up eating it for a few meals and sometimes get tired of it and end up throwing some away. Would it still be ok to freeze some of the leftovers after it’s been warmed up a few times and been in the fridge for a few days?
After the kids all married and left home, I had a hard time adjusting to cooking for just my husband and I – always made too much. Now, I’m used to cooking for just my husband & myself and end up making too much when the kids all come. : )
Hi Geralyn!
Yes to freezing leftover that have been in the fridge for a few days. Just make sure you give them a very thorough simmer for 10 minutes or longer before eating them.
It must be difficult to adjust to having so many people around and then having just the two of you.
The worst leftover is macaroni and cheese, which is incredibly frustrating because I love it so (when it is fresh anyway). Every time I try to reheat it it separates, becomes VERY oily, or the noodles harden. I’ve tried a double boiler, the microwave, the stove top, just about everything. Thankfully, my husband has no issues with the difference in texture or taste, it just bothers me.
The best leftovers are soups. There is something about letting the flavors meld together that makes the soup better the next day or a few days later.
You know Elizabeth..
I’ve just realised I haven’t ever tried to reheat macaroni and cheese… I usually just eat the leftovers cold.
I’m wondering if the cauliflower in my cauli mac & cheese would make a difference?? Although good to hear your husband isn’t fussed about it!
I agree with soups and stews as well.. actually curries too
I love most leftovers and I’ve been learning to look at them more as building blocks than as meals in themselves. I’ve been getting into the habit of buying about 3 different veg during the week (and trying to get different ones from the week before for variety) and using them creatively throughout the week. I’ve recently gone vegan and the hardest thing is making sure there’s something healthy and simple around to eat, especially since I need to throw together my lunch everyday. So I’ve been trying to make up a large pot of grains once or twice a week and prep the veggies I get either by roasting or steaming or sauteing over the weekend. Since I don’t usually have a lot of time for breakfasts, I’ve been trying to prep some muffins or a batch of oats to eat throughout the week. And I love green smoothies. I make mine with a lot of fruit and spinach or kale. So good! Thank you for all the recipe templates and ideas. It makes opening the fridge and being creative with the contents a little easier.
Wow Allison
Sounds like you’ve got yourself all organised.. very impressed!
My family seems to be leftover phobic. I especially have a hard time with pasta like spaghetti. No one will eat any leftovers. I have better luck with soups, if the ingredients are all vegan then I can eat it.
Cat!
That’s a tough crowd you’re feeding there.
Try and do as Allison suggests below and look at leftovers as building blocks for a completely different meal, rather than serving them up as leftovers.
With pasta, stir frying it to heat it up, a little like fried rice can be really lovely.. with the crispy bits on the outside it gets rid of any leftover pasta ‘glugginess’
Well, the best leftover is chicken. It’s so versatile, you can do about anything with it. As far as the worst, probably soups and chili’s. I know, those are easy to freeze into smaller portions for later. I have a tendency to procrastinate on doing that, and so I’m eating that particular meal many times in a week until I’m weary of it. I’m thinking that even though these are great items to cook in large batches and freeze, I have a tendency not to do that, so I need to learn to cook in right-sized portions in the first place.
Interesting that you have a problem with soups and chillis Amy..
If you’re not keen on freezing, I think you’re on the right path with reducing your batch sizes to begin with. The good news is most soup or chilli recipes can be easily halved or quartered if you need.