You’ve put a lot of time and energy into preparing the best holiday meals – so don’t let any leftovers go to waste. Here’s some handy recipes to avoid waste and save money whether you’re staying at home or heading away for the summer break.
Boxing day – Lasagne pasta rolls with ham and parmesan – a great way to use ham in a summery twist on lasagne
27 Dec – Turkey & cranberry strudel – package up leftover turkey or chicken into a tasty filo parcel
28 Dec – Mashed potato bread cups – a tasty way to use leftover potato and bread
29 Dec – Rice paper rolls – turn any leftovers into tasty rolls – no cooking required!
30 Dec – Berrymisu Mess – a yummy dessert using leftover berries and pavlova
31 Dec – Stale bun chocolate cake – make a deliciously fudgy and moist chocolate cake with leftover bread
1 Jan – Green dip – transform leftover greens into this colourful and tasty dip
You can get more ideas from the Easy Choice Family Kai summer cookbook.
Here are 10 items you might not have thought to freeze
Storage Tips
Freezers act as a pause button, storing your food until you need it. Consider putting away that extra food from the holiday parties into the freezer, so you can enjoy it when the holiday rush has passed or you’re back from your trip. If you're going out of town, remember to put food in the freezer or take it with you, so you don't let it go to waste.
When it comes to leftovers, remember the 2-2-2 rule. You have 2 hours to get your leftovers into the fridge. You should eat them within 2 days. They will last for at least 2 months in the freezer.
How you store your food has a huge impact on how long it lasts. Mould thrives in warm, moist climates with lots of oxygen. So, keep food cold, dry and in airtight containers to avoid this problem.
- Store baguettes, pita breads and hamburger buns in the freezer to keep them fresh.
- Keep cheese tightly wrapped in its packaging, a beeswax wrap or a bag to stop it drying out.
- Keep your salad greens in an air-tight container instead of leaving them in a bag.
- Store potatoes and onions in cool, dark places but keep them separate from each other (e.g. in separate cupboards). If they are stored next to each other they will go bad much faster.
- Store tomatoes at room temperature – refrigerating them affects their texture and flavour. If they have gone soft, you can still use them for cooking.
You can save these summer storage tips to make the most of your summer snacks.
