Around 1.3 billion tons of food produced each year goes to waste, which means that third of the world’s food is ultimately thrown away. Not only does throwing this food cost you money, but it’s a terrible waste of resources.
The best way for us to reduce the amount of food waste that our household produces is to keep our leftovers, instead of binning them, and use them to cook different and delicious meals.
Very often, people forget about or don’t know what to do with food items in their kitchen, this prolonged confused eventually leads to food expiring or rotting.
This is totally preventable…
Below are three easy recipes that use common leftovers, along with food that you likely already have sitting in your fridge or pantry.
Leftover #1: Cooked Rice
Rice-Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 1 cup leftover rice
- 3 green bell peppers
- 6 cherry tomatoes
- 1 large onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup boiled water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method
- Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C).
- Finely chop the onion and garlic and fry with the olive on oil medium heat until soft.
- Finely chop one of the peppers, cut the tomatoes into quarters, and fry with the onions and garlic for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, add salt and pepper along with the rice, and mix together.
- Cut off the top of the remaining two peppers and remove the seeds from inside, then spoon the mixture into the peppers and place in an oven dish.
- Pour the boiled water over the peppers, adding ¼ cup of water each.
- Cook for 15-20 minutes, serve, and enjoy the victory of reducing food waste!
Leftover #2: Bread
Cinnamon French Toast
Ingredients
- 4 slices of stale bread
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp milk
- ¼ cup sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- Pinch of salt
Method
- In a bowl, beat the eggs with the milk and salt.
- On a large plate, mix the cinnamon and sugar together.
- Melt half of the butter on a frying pan at a medium heat.
- Dip 2 of the slices of bread in the egg mixture and fry evenly on both sides until golden.
- Once cooked, remove the toast from the frying pan and coat evenly in the cinnamon sugar.
- Melt the rest of the butter and repeat for the last 2 slices of bread.
- Serve on a plate and drizzle maple syrup on top.’
Leftover #3: Potatoes
Potato Pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked potatoes
- ¾ cup flour
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
Method
- Mash the potatoes and mix them with the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Whisk together the eggs and milk and add to the potato mixture.
- Heat a small amount of the sunflower oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat.
- Add two spoons of the mixture per pancake to the pan, frying 4 at a time, and fry on both sides until golden brown.
- Repeat for the rest of the pancakes and serve.
Give these amazing, simple recipes a try next time you’re left with leftover rice, bread, or potatoes. Try creating your own recipes using leftovers or search online for some inspiration. With small steps like these, you can greatly reduce your food waste.
Recipes from Leftovers FAQs
What is the most popular leftover food?
While there isn’t one definitive answer to this question, some of the most popular leftover foods are commonly found in many households. These include cooked rice, roasted chicken or turkey, pasta dishes, soups, stews, and roasted vegetables. However, the popularity of leftovers can vary depending on personal preferences and cultural backgrounds.
What dishes can be made from leftover food?
Leftover food can be transformed into delicious and creative dishes, reducing waste and maximizing the use of ingredients. Here are some ideas for dishes that can be made from common leftovers:
- Fried rice or stir-fried noodles using leftover cooked rice or pasta.
- Sandwiches or wraps using leftover roasted meat, vegetables, or cheese.
- Soups or stews by combining leftover meats, vegetables, and broth.
- Casseroles or baked dishes with leftover cooked pasta, rice, vegetables, or meat.
- Quesadillas or tacos using leftover roasted or grilled meat, cheese, and vegetables.
- Salads or grain bowls with leftover cooked grains, vegetables, and protein.
- Omelets or frittatas with leftover cooked vegetables, meat, or cheese.
What are the easy recipes from leftovers for vegetarians?
Vegetarians have numerous options for creating delicious meals from leftovers. Here are some easy recipes that can be made using vegetarian leftovers:
- Veggie fried rice: Sauté leftover cooked rice with mixed vegetables, soy sauce, and spices of your choice.
- Roasted vegetable pasta: Toss leftover roasted vegetables with cooked pasta, olive oil, garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Lentil soup: Combine leftover cooked lentils with vegetable broth, diced vegetables, herbs, and spices for a hearty and nutritious soup.
- Veggie quesadillas: Fill tortillas with leftover cooked vegetables, shredded cheese, and optional beans, then cook until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
- Chickpea salad: Mix leftover cooked or canned chickpeas with chopped vegetables, herbs, lemon juice, and olive oil for a refreshing and protein-rich salad.
- Stuffed bell peppers: Fill roasted bell peppers with a mixture of leftover cooked grains, beans, vegetables, and cheese, then bake until tender and golden.
Remember to adjust the seasonings and flavors according to your taste preferences and the ingredients you have on hand.
