Don’t waste that food in the fridge! Give it a makeover with these tips to revamp it into an entirely different dish.
BY: MEME INGE, MS, RDN
Leftovers often get a bad name, but there’s no doubt that repurposing your day-old food can save you a ton of money and time. Not to mention, you’re also making your kitchen greener by preventing food waste. It’s a win-win for you and the Earth!
There are a number of ways to use your leftovers, but here are 4 easy ways to do it so you’re not eating the same thing on repeat or wasting precious food!
Stuffed Peppers or Squash
Fill any cut bell peppers or squash with anything you love! Try leftover taco meat or spaghetti sauce.
How to do it: Slice your pepper or squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Bake at 375°F for about 7 minutes. Fill the pepper/squash with the leftovers and top with cheese if desired. Bake for about 10-15 minutes until filling is warm and cheese is bubbly.
Twice Baked Potato
Twice baked potatoes are incredibly satisfying, budget-friendly and most importantly, very delicious. They’re also quite easy to make by making your leftovers the stuffing.
How to do it: Bake your potatoes before cooking or use leftover already baked potatoes. Scoop out some of the potato and stir in some of your leftover veggies or meat. Fill the potato shells with the mixture; cover in cheese if desired and bake for about 10-15 minutes.
Fried Rice or Quinoa
Fried rice or quinoa is a great “clean out the fridge” meal that can be made at the end of the week. Simply add every leftover you have into the skillet, and add different spices and seasonings to change up the flavor.
How to do it: Use cold leftover rice or quinoa because it fries better than warm, freshly cooked rice. Add some oil to a skillet and saute your veggies. Add the rice, then the seasonings and any additional add-ins such as eggs, green onions, chicken, pork, meat, or tofu.
Soup
Soup is a great “clean out your fridge” meal because you can make a big batch and freeze leftovers for later. When freezing soup, be sure to freeze individual serving sizes so that you can defrost only the amount you’ll need for one or two meals, not 8.
How to do it: Add some oil to a pot and add any leftover veggies, such as onions, bell peppers, carrots and celery. Add some garlic and spices, and pour in your broth or water. You can also add grains, beans or other plant-based proteins. Simmer for about 30-60 minutes, and add any leafy veggies a few minutes before serving. Be sure to taste and add extra spices, lemon juice and/or salt if needed.
So now you know…go ahead and save the world with your leftovers!
Adapted from the original article.
Meme Inge, MS, RDN is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist based in San Diego. She shares approachable, nourishing recipes to prove that living a healthy lifestyle can be budget-friendly, delicious and fun. Get to know more about Meme at Living Well Kitchen.