What to do with leftover food: 9 ideas before you throw it away
Published · 2 min read
It happens in every kitchen: the pot of rice that was meant for four feeds two, guests cancel, or the curry was simply bigger than planned. Leftovers are not a problem. Throwing them away is.
Here are nine ways to make sure good food gets eaten.
1. Cool and store it quickly
The most important step happens in the first two hours. Move leftovers into shallow, covered containers so they cool fast, then put them in the fridge. Food left out on the counter for hours is the main reason leftovers become unsafe.
2. Freeze single portions
Curries, daal, soups, cooked rice and pasta sauces freeze well. Freeze them in single portions and label each box with the dish and date. That way you have a ready meal for a busy day instead of a takeaway.
3. Share it with a neighbour
If you will not eat it in the next day, someone nearby probably would. On Itaam you can post a plate in under a minute: say what it is, how many it serves and when it can be picked up. Someone close by requests it and collects it with a code. One plate shared is one plate not wasted. See how sharing works.
4. Turn rice into something new
Day-old rice is perfect for fried rice, rice pudding (kheer), stuffed parathas or rice cutlets. Make sure it was refrigerated quickly and reheat it until it is steaming hot.
5. Give curry and daal a second life
Leftover curry makes a great wrap or sandwich filling, a topping for baked potatoes or a sauce for pasta. Thin leftover daal with water into a soup.
6. Rescue stale bread
Stale bread and roti become croutons, breadcrumbs, bread pudding, or chips when brushed with oil and baked.
7. Blend tired fruit and vegetables
Soft fruit goes into smoothies, milkshakes or jam. Wilting vegetables go into soups, stocks or a stir-fry.
8. Plan a leftovers night
Once a week, cook nothing new. Put everything in the fridge on the table and let everyone pick. It clears the fridge and saves money.
9. Cook a little less next time
Notice which dishes always leave leftovers and cook a little less of them. A good rule of thumb for rice is about 75 g of uncooked rice per adult.
When to throw it away
- Cooked food left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour in very hot weather.
- Anything that smells, looks or tastes off.
- Leftovers kept in the fridge for more than 3 to 4 days.
For more, read our food safety tips for sharing food.