2. Mangoes
If in case you have laborious mangoes that received’t ripen, peel the flesh into strips and use as an alternative of inexperienced papaya in a Thai-inspired som tam salad. Or, finely cube and blend with chopped chilli, coriander and lime juice for a salsa that pairs properly with grilled buttery prawns. For a candy and refreshing drink, mix right into a mango lassi with yogurt, honey, cardamom and lime juice. Strive our mango lassi recipe.
3. Grapes
Don’t neglect the bunch of grapes in the back of your fridge – they work in additional than simply fruit salads. House them out on a baking tray, then freeze for a cooling summer time snack. One other thought is to halve a big handful of grapes and divide between lolly moulds. Pour over coconut water to fill, and freeze for 12 hrs for one more refreshing deal with. Or, to make a straightforward bruschetta, roast them with the stalks on till darkened and falling aside, then unfold comfortable goat’s cheese over some toasted baguette and scatter over the roasted grapes.
4. Simple peelers
Juice and mix with a little bit five-spice to drizzle over pan-fried duck or pork chops. For a snack that may please chocolate lovers, dip the segments into melted darkish chocolate and place on a lined baking tray, sprinkle over a pinch of flaky sea salt and depart to set. To make use of up the scented peel, put this and any leftover segments in a pan with equal portions of caster sugar and water. Warmth gently till the sugar has melted, then simmer for 10-15 minutes, depart to chill and pressure. Use in cocktails so as to add some zing.
5. Apples
If in case you have sharper apples like Granny Smith, grate them right into a creamy slaw. In case your purple apples are trying a bit mealy, chop and gently fry them in butter with shredded purple cabbage till comfortable – it is a nice aspect dish for pan-fried pork chops. Having a Sunday roast? Merely stir finely chopped apples by your stuffing combination to fill out a joint of pork. Expend barely comfortable or spoiled apples by including them to your toad-in-the-hole. Core and slice 2 apples, bake with the sausages till golden, then pour over a batter made with added chopped sage.
6. Bananas
Black bananas are for extra than simply banana bread! Chop them and retailer within the freezer as quickly as you discover these brown spots. They are often added to fruit smoothies – you don’t have to discard the peel. For a decadent pudding, prepare dinner halved bananas in shop-bought caramel and place a sheet of puff pastry on prime. Prepare dinner as you’d a tarte tatin, then drizzle with chocolate sauce to serve. Don’t waste the peel – trim the ends off the bananas and blitz them, pores and skin on, to make use of in banana bread. Don’t simply take our phrase for it – attempt our breakfast cake recipe or mash for a scrumptious banana cake or banana pancakes. Uncover extra concepts for ripe bananas.
7. Dried fruit
Collect all of the leftover dried fruit and nuts out of your Christmas recipes, reduce into small items and add to cooked and fluffed-up couscous together with contemporary herbs and lemon juice. Serve with lamb chops or grilled rooster.
8. Citrus fruit
Thinly slice citrus fruits, then organize on a few baking sheets lined with baking parchment. Bake at 140C/120C fan/fuel 2 for 45 mins-1 hr till utterly dried out. Tie a bit of string by the centre, then dangle from the Christmas tree; or if Christmas is over, save for subsequent 12 months – they are going to hold for years. Uncover extra DIY Christmas crafts.
Add lime halves to rice because it cooks. Or attempt making a lime & chilli salad dressing by mixing remaining lime juice with finely chopped coriander, honey, sunflower oil and chopped jalapeños to style.
Leftover veg concepts
9. Carrots
Grate 1 massive carrot right into a bowl, add 50g rolled oats, 4 tbsp apple juice or milk, 1/2 tsp floor cinnamon and a pair of tbsp chopped apricots or raisins. Combine properly, then chill in a single day. To serve, combine in 50g pure yogurt and prime with chopped walnuts. Now attempt our carrot cake in a single day oats.
10. Salad leaves
In case your leaves are beginning to flip limp, stir-fry iceberg or Gem lettuce with some sesame oil, garlic and soy sauce for a speedy Asian-inspired aspect dish. Uncover Asian-style stir-fried lettuce and griddled lettuce & peas.
11. Chillies
Fill a sterilised jam jar midway with a gentle olive oil, add a thyme sprig and 1 garlic clove. Each time you’ve gotten a spare chilli, thinly slice and add to the oil, topping up with oil to cowl. The chillies will hold for months. Add them to curries, or drizzle the oil over pizzas, salads or pasta.
12. Beetroot leaves
Don’t discard your beetroot depart – finely chop and add to the curry within the closing 10 minutes. Or, attempt spiced beetroot leaves to function a aspect. Merely stir-fry the stems and leaves in a splash of oil till comfortable, then mix with 1 finely chopped chilli, 1 tbsp desiccated coconut and prepare dinner till simply wilted. Uncover extra methods with beetroot.
13. Combined root veg
Use a mix of leftover raw carrots, celeriac and beetroot with shredded cabbages or sprouts. Combine with a dressing of mayonnaise, lemon juice and a little bit mustard, and serve with chilly meats, cheeses and jacket potatoes.
Leftover herbs and spices concepts
14. Contemporary herbs
Filter out unused contemporary herbs to create a tasty twist on salsa verde. Blitz a big bunch of blended comfortable herbs (similar to basil, coriander, chives, tarragon, mint or parsley) with the juice of 1 lemon, 2 tsp capers and three tbsp olive oil. Season, then chill till serving. Notably good with fish.
15. Lemongrass
Add bashed lemongrass and cardamom pods to basic rice pudding to present it a heady, fragrant taste.
16. Stem ginger
Combine the syrup from a jar of stem ginger with lime juice, soda and ice for a spicy mocktail good for the drivers. Subsequent attempt our apple, cardamom and stem ginger granola as a present for a cherished one, or only a tasty deal with for your self.
On the subject of contemporary ginger, there isn’t any have to peel – merely give it a scrub underneath operating water and grate. The pores and skin will dissolve as you prepare dinner and it’s a bit of additional fibre, too.
17. Contemporary curry leaves
These usually are available in a big bunch. Take the leaves off the stems, then wash and dry them. Retailer in a container or reusable bag within the freezer and use straight from frozen. You are able to do the identical with lime leaves.
Leftover condiments concepts
18. From-the-fridge pizza
Combine 2 tbsp curry paste with 2 tbsp mango chutney and 1 tbsp tomato purée. Unfold over 2 naan breads, prime with 1 thinly sliced purple onion, 1/2 chopped purple pepper and a handful of chopped cooked meat – rooster, ham or salami all work properly. Tear a ball of mozzarella into small chunks and dot over the pizzas. Bake at 200C/180C fan/fuel 4 for 20 minutes or till the naans are crisp and the cheese has melted. Scatter with coriander and serve. Uncover our naan bread pizza, too.
19. Waste-not-want-not dressing
Pour 1 tbsp purple or white wine vinegar, 1 tbsp honey and three tbsp olive oil right into a jar of mustard that’s practically empty. Season, then change the lid and shake properly to combine. Pour over salad leaves or steamed inexperienced greens. Uncover extra salad dressing concepts.
20. Orange marmalade
A glam manner to make use of up that final spoonful of marmalade within the jar. Pour 50ml gin into a virtually empty jar of marmalade. Put the lid again on and shake the jar properly to mix. Add 2 tbsp orange liqueur (I used Cointreau), then juice 1/2 lemon and the juice 1 clementine. Shake properly, pressure into 2 chilled Martini glasses and serve.
Make a sticky, spicy glaze for rooster drumsticks by combining the marmalade with crushed garlic, chopped purple chilli and olive oil. Slather this over the rooster and roast till cooked by and sticky. Or, give our straightforward marmalade muffins a go.
For a easy canapé, unfold marmalade over small squares of puff pastry and prime with slices of brie and a pinch of chilli flakes. Bake till crispy and golden. For a sweeter take, use it as an alternative of raisins in a bread & butter pudding. Marmalade works properly in our spicy roasted roots recipe that includes carrots and parsnips. Strive our harissa & marmalade roasted roots.
21. Onion marmalade
Onion marmalade brings wealthy flavour to on a regular basis classics like cheese toasties or sausages for toad-in-the-hole. Or, stir right into a quiche combination for a touch of sweetness, or combine right into a Dijon mustard salad dressing.
22. Lemon curd
Add 2 tbsp lemon curd to a cocktail shaker with 50ml gin, 2 tsp elderflower cordial and 1 tsp vermouth bianco, give it shake, add ice and shake once more. Pressure into a relaxing glass and serve with a lemon peel twist.
Gently heat lemon curd for a beautiful drizzle for crêpes or ice cream – it’s simply nearly as good stirred into Greek yogurt with raspberries for a refreshing idiot dessert. For a straightforward showstopper, attempt our lemon curd & ardour fruit tart.
23. Fruit jams
The candy fruit in jam pairs properly with savoury meals like pork chops. To make a glaze, combine a number of tablespoons of blackcurrant jam with Dijon mustard and glug of cider or sherry vinegar. As soon as the pork chops are virtually cooked by, add this combination to the pan together with a knob of butter and prepare dinner, spooning the glaze over the pork till shiny and decreased. Or, attempt thinning apricot jam with a splash of water – fry halloumi till golden, then spoon the apricot jam over and prepare dinner till decreased. Serve with salad or in a toastie. Uncover extra methods for leftover jam.
24. Chilli jam
Stir a spoonful into pasta sauces or shakshuka (a North African dish of eggs in a spiced tomato sauce) for a little bit of sweetness and warmth, or use rather than candy chilli sauce in your subsequent stir-fry. Chilli jam can be nice as a marinade for prawns with a squeeze of lime juice, or stirred right into a vinegary slaw so as to add a little bit of spice.
Extra like this
25. Tomato ketchup
Discovered on most tables all through the UK, this beloved sauce is well-known for getting kids to eat their dinner, nevertheless it’s rather more than that. You need to use it as an alternative of tomato purée in a pinch, or add it to bolognese so as to add some sweetness.
26. Honey
Swirl it into dips, marinades or dressings for pure sweetness. Drizzle it over freshly baked muffins for a sticky glaze – it really works properly with carrot cake. Or, combine into softened butter and unfold over crumpets. Retailer in a cool, darkish cabinet.
Make a scorching honey sauce by heating 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a pan and fry 2 chopped garlic cloves and 1 chopped purple chilli till aromatic and calmly browned. Stir in a pinch of salt and 100ml honey. Take away from the warmth, add a splash of vinegar, then put aside to infuse for 1 hr. Drizzle over fried rooster or pizza.
27. Scorching sauce
There are various completely different varieties, however you’ll be able to simply make a scrumptious buffalo sauce for dousing over crispy wings with most (though a vinegary one works particularly properly). Whisk 125ml scorching sauce with 2 tbsp melted butter. Add a squeeze of honey or spices for a bit extra oomph, if you happen to like, and toss with crispy rooster wings. Swirl scorching sauce into mayo for a spicy dip to serve with candy potato wedges.
Scorching sauces like gochujang additionally work properly in marinades for steak, and sriracha is superb in stir-fries because it lends some funk to the sauce. You’ll be able to retailer them within the fridge as soon as opened, if you happen to do not use them usually.
28. Wine vinegar
Wine vinegars are perfect for dressings and pickling. If open for some time, a cloudy sediment types, however this does not have an effect on the standard. Crimson wine vinegars are nice for mixing with leftover herbs for chimichurri and hollandaise sauce additionally makes use of white wine vinegar.
Or, for one thing less complicated, attempt a garlicky salad dressing. Combine 2 tbsp vinegar with 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 4 tbsp olive oil and 1 small grated garlic clove. To make pickled cucumber & onions, mix 75ml white wine vinegar with 2 tbsp caster sugar and 1 tsp salt, and pour over finely sliced cucumbers or onions. Chill for a number of hours, then serve.
29. Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise can be utilized in sauces, creamy salad dressings or sandwiches as an alternative of butter. Unfold over the surface of a cheese toastie for a good crispier end. Combine mayonnaise with shredded cooked rooster, a handful of chopped comfortable herbs like dill or chives and a few gherkins, and serve on toasted sourdough for an open-top sandwich. Or, mix with a number of tablespoons of pesto, a grated garlic clove and a grating of parmesan to serve with roast rooster and chargrilled greens. Retailer within the fridge as soon as opened.
30. Soy sauce
When you discover a sauce is missing a little bit of umami punch or wants some larger depth, add a drizzle of soy sauce. You need to use it with caramel, too, like in our soy sauce caramel milkshake recipe.
Strive soy-marinated eggs: boil 2 eggs for 6½ minutes, then drain and peel. Mix 75ml soy sauce and 25ml mirin and submerge the eggs within the combination. Go away to marinate for not less than 30 minutes or as much as 4 hrs, turning once in a while. Serve with ramen.
For a straightforward glaze for ribs, combine equal elements ketchup and apricot jam with a squeeze of lemon juice and splash of soy sauce. Use it to glaze ribs, or add 1-2 tbsp to a burger or meatball combination. Preserve leftovers chilled.
Leftover cheese and dairy concepts
31. Parmesan rind
Use the rind from Parmesan so as to add flavour to risotto, soup or stew – simply bear in mind to take it out earlier than serving.
32. Cheeseboard
Make a easy white sauce, then stir in your cheeseboard leftovers – attempt a mixture of grated laborious cheese, a spoonful of cream cheese and crumbled blue cheese, or any others you may need. Season, then add floor nutmeg and Dijon mustard for a wealthy, scrumptious sauce for cooked pasta or cauliflower – or serve with a gammon steak.
33. Yogurt
Combine pure yogurt with an equal amount of self-raising flour and a sprinkling of cumin seeds. Divide the dough into walnut-sized balls, roll as thinly as you’ll be able to and prepare dinner on a scorching griddle pan for 1-2 minutes either side.
34. Crème fraîche
If in case you have a small quantity of crème fraîche left within the tub, add it to mashed potato as an alternative of milk, or mix with chopped anchovies, lemon juice and chives for a fast Caesar-salad-style dressing.
Leftover bread concepts
35. Sliced bread
Whizz up leftover herbs and rancid bread in your meals processor to make herby breadcrumbs, then freeze. Use from frozen for an awesome coating for fried or baked fish, or add cheese and make a topping for baked mushrooms. Now attempt them with our aubergine katsu curry, Italian rooster bake or chilli prawn spaghetti with gremolata breadcrumbs.
36. Stale pitta & tortilla
Break up stale pitta or tortilla wraps, lay on a baking sheet and drizzle with a little bit olive oil and a sprinkling of sea salt. Grill till turning golden brown on the edges. Eat like crisps or for a Lebanese-style salad, scatter over lettuce, tomatoes, parsley and cucumber, dressed with lemon juice, olive oil and sumac. Now attempt our selfmade tortilla chips.
Extra leftovers concepts
37. Ham
Thinly slice any leftovers from a joint of ham, then stack in 2-3 slice bundles (sufficient for a sandwich) between layers of baking parchment. Put the sliced ham in a sandwich bag, freeze, then take away and defrost a bundle at a time, everytime you wish to make a sandwich.
38. Marzipan
Any leftover marzipan can be utilized to stuff dried apricots and dates, which you then dip in darkish chocolate and finely chopped pistachios. Go away to set and function after-dinner petits fours with espresso.
39. Coconut milk
Leftover coconut milk blended with icing sugar makes a deliciously completely different icing to drizzle over mince pies.
40. Floor almonds
Leftover floor almonds will add richness and texture to your turkey korma.
41. Cooked rice
Fry 1 chopped onion in a drizzle of oil, add 2 tbsp delicate curry powder and 300g cooked leftover rice. Flake by some scorching smoked fish – mackerel, salmon or trout all work properly. Warmth for a number of extra minutes, then scatter with chopped parsley. Serve with a poached egg for a hearty breakfast or lunch. Uncover extra methods to make use of up leftover rice.
Loved this? Discover extra inspiration for Christmas leftovers…
Christmas leftovers recipes
Household dinner concepts for Christmas leftover recipes
Leftover Christmas turkey recipes
Wholesome Christmas leftovers recipes
Love your leftovers: The right way to expend widespread surplus elements
Do you’ve gotten any ideas for utilizing up leftovers? We might love to listen to your leftovers recipes…
