How to reduce food waste this Christmas

How to reduce food waste this Christmas

After the last Christmas cracker has been pulled and the guests have all gone home, you're bound to have a few leftovers in the fridge, even after giving all the guests takeaway bags filled with their favourite bits. Here's how to use those leftovers in tasty recipes that will reduce your food waste.

How to use your leftover Christmas roast

There's no need to eat your leftover pork, chicken, lamb or ham cold from the fridge with these tasty ideas (though no judgement if you do):

• Chop or shred leftover roast chicken, turkey or pork to add into fresh Boxing Day salads like a Chicken Caesar Salad or Chargrilled Sweetcorn & Turkey Peri Peri Salad. Crumble in any leftover cheeses from the Christmas day cheese board.

• Ham is one of the most versatile leftovers. Use them in these Leftover Ham Recipes including a French Toast Bake (and in leftover cheeses too), fried rice, or a Ham, Cheese and Veggie Slice.

• Use leftover lamb in a Middle-Eastern style wraps with leftover dips like hummus or beetroot dips.

How to use stale bread

Breathe new life into leftover bread from sides or stuffing with these quick tips:

• Tear bread into small pieces and toss it into a bowl with melted butter and crushed garlic until the bread is coated in the butter mixture. Bake at 180°C until crisp and golden.

• Blitz leftover bread in a food processor or blender to turn into bread crumbs. Place in a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 6 months, and use in these Meatball Recipes or add to meatloaf.

How to use leftover vegetables

Leftover roast veggies make a mean toasted sandwich when paired with leftover meat, or try refreshing them in these ideas:

• Frittatas and quiches will turn those vegetables into a brand new meal with very little effort. Check out this Quiche Four Ways for some filling ideas, or try this cheesy Impossible Pasta Pie.

• Add roast veggies into this Creamy Ricotta Pasta Salad that's an ideal BBQ side or light lunch.

• Bubble and squeak is a classic Aussie way to enjoy extra veggies. Try this simple bubble and squeak, or turn them into bubble and squeak fritters with turkey.

Leftover desserts

If you or your kids haven't already snaffled up any leftover Christmas cake, mince pies or pavlova, here's how you can turn them into a freezer-friendly treats:

• Defrost a tub of vanilla ice-cream until softened slightly, meanwhile chop up or crumble your leftover desserts. Stir through your crumbled dessert. Refreeze and serve with crushed candy canes on top.

• To use leftover custard, cut up leftover fruits and place into popsicle moulds. Pour over leftover custard and freeze into fruity custard pops.

• Turn Christmas cake into Christmas Pudding Truffles, which are easy to snack on for afternoon tea with a cuppa.