Zero waste cooking: turning leftovers into culinary gold

How often do you casually peer through your fridge and end up discovering leftovers that have been forgotten for weeks? More times than you can count, right? No matter how well you plan your meals, you will always have leftovers. While reducing leftovers is the best way to deal with this, this International Day of Zero Waste on March 30, 2024, lets us explore tricks to turn leftover food into culinary masterpieces. Waste not, want not, right?

Vegetable broth

Don't throw away those veggie peels! Instead, simmer them to create a nutrient-dense, tasty broth that can be used to make soups, stews and risottos. Onion skins, carrot tops and celery ends, when simmered, create a base that's both nutritious and delectable.

Salads

Got leftover raw veggies from last night's dinner party? Toss them into a colourful salad. Simply combine odds and ends like cucumber slices, bell pepper strips and cherry tomatoes with a zesty dressing. These could be served as a refreshing meal or a side dish.

Sandwich

Leftover meats, cheeses and veggies are perfect for crafting mouthwatering sandwiches. A generous spread of homemade Aioli, layers of leftover meat, fresh greens, and a sprinkle of some cheese for extra indulgence.

Quiches and Frittatas

Nothing makes the right ingredients for gourmet fritattas like leftover cheese, vegetables and meats. All you have to do is whisk together eggs, pour them over leftover ingredients and bake them until golden, and you’ve got yourself a kitchen clean-up party in your oven!

Smoothies

Transform overripe fruits into delectable desserts and wholesome smoothies. Blend ripe bananas into creamy smoothies, bake apples with cinnamon for a comforting treat or simmer berries into a luscious compote to drizzle over yoghurt or ice cream.

Stuffing

Last but not least, the easiest approach to using up leftover kitchen ingredients is to use them as stuffing for your parathas, spring rolls or even  savoury pies. Combine breadcrumbs with sautéed onions, herbs and leftover vegetables or meats for a gourmet stuffing.

With these creative hacks, you'll never look at kitchen leftovers the same way again. This International Day of Zero Waste, say goodbye to food waste and hello to culinary riches!
Let us know which hack you enjoyed most in the comments!