Food

Tips to chip away at food waste

Little changes can go a long way. To help you reduce food waste when ordering in – which is great for both the planet and your wallet, we’ve put together a list of useful tricks, telling you how to make the most out of your leftovers.

Our top tips

Think about your order

Want to get more to see you through lunch the next day? Wish to avoid leftovers you won’t reuse (hello, side plate of rice)? Planning how much you’ll eat can help you avoid wasting any food.

Store leftovers safely

Wait till your food has cooled down, then seal it in an air-tight container and store it in the fridge. Remember to use your leftovers as soon as possible.

Store leftovers wisely

Put new leftovers at the back of your fridge, and move the older ones to the front. This way you’ll be more tempted to use them first. And remember to label your food, so you don’t forget what’s in each container. (A chilli looks surprisingly similar to a chicken korma when chilled).

Turn up the heat

Only reheat your leftovers once, and make sure the food is piping hot before digging in – just look out for steam or bubbles – and give your food a good stir so it cooks evenly. We don’t recommend reheating rice as it has a higher risk of food poisoning.

Make a stock

Veggies from your summer salad, ginger from your sushi, and even bones from your chicken wings. All these can be used to make a nice broth. Just boil them in water for at least 20min, sieve, and then refrigerate your liquid stock. Use as often as you’d like to boost the flavours of your soups, sauces, risottos…

Compost the unwanted

If all else fails, composting your leftovers is a great way to prevent them from going to waste. You can either use your council bins or buy yourself one and turn any scraps into great plant food. Perfect if you’re a keen gardener.

Remix your dish

Why not throw your leftovers together with fresh ingredients to create a brand new dish? This is especially useful if you have lots of tiny portions left.

Here’s some inspiration to help you get creative:

Toastie fever

Create a delicious lunchtime delight with just two slices of bread and a sprinkle of cheese. Pop anything inside – from curry to chilli – and let your taste buds be blown away.

Croutons galore

Tear up your pizza crusts, leftover focaccia or anything bread-like and toss them in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Now, you’ve got the perfect addition to spruce up any soup or salad.

Chilli fries

Gather your leftover chips and add a sliced onion, a sprinkle of chilli, salt and pepper to a hot frying pan. Serve with a squirt of cool mayo for an easy but oh-so-tasty dish.

Let’s get saucy

Why not keep the sauce from your Indian takeaway? Just throw in some spinach and chicken, and voilà, you’ve got yourself a brand new curry.