Chip away at food waste
Little changes can go a long way. To help you reduce food waste when ordering in, which is great for both the planet and your wallet, we’ve put together a list of useful tricks to help make the most out of your leftovers.
Think about your order
Want to have leftovers to eat the next day? Or are you hoping to avoid any food you won’t reuse (hello, side plate of rice)? Planning for how much you’ll actually eat before ordering is an easy way to avoid food waste.
Store leftovers safely
Wait until your food has cooled down, then seal it in an air-tight container and store it in the fridge. Remember to use your leftovers as soon as possible.
Store leftovers wisely
Put new leftovers at the back of your fridge, and move the older ones to the front. This way you’ll be more tempted to use them first. And remember to label your food, so you don’t forget what’s in each container. (A chili can look surprisingly similar to a chicken curry when chilled).
Turn up the heat
Only reheat your leftovers once, and make sure the food is piping hot before digging in. Just look out for steam or bubbles and give your food a good stir as it heats so it cooks evenly. We wouldn’t recommend reheating rice though, as it has a higher risk of food poisoning.
Make a stock
Veggies from your summer salad, ginger from your sushi, and even bones from your chicken wings. All of these can be used to make a nice broth. Just boil them in water for at least 20 min and strain to get your liquid stock. Then simply put it in the fridge to use as often as you’d like to boost the flavours of your soups, sauces, risottos…
Compost the lot
If all else fails, composting your leftovers is a great way to prevent them from going to waste. You can either use your city bins or buy yourself a compost bin for your garden and turn any scraps into great plant food.
Remix your meal
Why not combine your leftover takeout with some fresh ingredients to create a brand new dish? This is especially useful if you have lots of tiny portions left.
Here are some ideas to help you get creative:
Grilled cheese ease
Grilled cheese ease
Create a delicious lunchtime delight with just two slices of bread and a sprinkle of cheese. Pop anything inside – from curry to chili – and let your taste buds be blown away.
Croutons galore
Croutons galore
Tear up your old pizza crusts, leftover focaccia, or anything bread-based and toss them in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Now you’ve got the perfect thing to spruce up any soup or salad.
Get saucy
Get saucy
Why not keep the sauce from your Indian takeout order? Just throw in some spinach, maybe a tomato or two, and some protein and, voilà, you’ve got yourself a brand new dish.
Quick chili fries
Quick chili fries
Gather up your leftover fries and add sliced onion, a sprinkle of chili powder, salt, and pepper to a hot frying pan. Serve with a squirt of cool mayo for an easy but oh-so-tasty dish.