Like a lot of people I’ve overspent and overindulged over the festive period. The one savvy thing I have been doing is making the most of leftovers.
I made our Christmas dinner leftovers into seven different meals while feeding 20 people which saved time, money and reduced food waste. In the UK alone, it’s estimated that we throw away around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste annually. There’s been no Bubble and Squeak in sight either as I enjoy recreating leftovers into something wonderful in its own right.
I’m actually a qualified food hygiene consultant too so I’m keen that leftovers are stored and cooked correctly. I’m also a food reviewer so taste and texture is king.
That’s why when buying joints of meat I half them before cooking to freeze one half before cooking. I always shop local where possible too to support t’old butchers.
When cooking the meat I’ll always use deep tins to save the meat juices
With leftover cooked meat I’ll save any untouched slices for sandwiches, to give to friends and I portion the dog-friendly meats for our two dogs. Then with the cooked part of the joint which hasn’t been sliced I’ll use in my famous fatman leftover dishes I vlog about on our Mr and Mrs Yorkshire YouTube channel. I made a good pie with the leftover meat, vegetables and gravy mixed together with some puff pastry on top. If I’m going all out with my pies I use shortcrust pastry for the bottom and puff for the top. If I’ve got leftover bits of pastry I make the kids hot dog wellingtons.
Then with the meat I’ve frozen I’ll make another roast with that because you can’t beat a Sunday Dinner. Then with that leftover meat I made a turkey curry and with the leftover duck my wife made Chinese duck wraps using iceberg lettuce as the wrap which is cheaper than buying the pancake wraps.
I don’t have to be as creative with my wife’s leftovers because she’s vegan and her main dishes don’t dry out like meat does. Tofu and vegetables with different flavouring in the air fryer or wok does it for her.
Money saving tips:
Some days however we will make a base sauce to freeze such as a passata for Italian food or chef Freda Shafi taught us an amazing curry paste to make. We’re trying to do more batch cooking this year to save money and eat healthier.
As we’re a big blended family with five kids and two dogs as well varying taste buds, we end up cooking all sorts of concoctions and opening full packages of food. This year however we’re going to agree on a meal plan to ensure we’re using the most of our ingredients and planning the food shop wisely. We’ve different dietary requirements but with a bit of planning we can save waste or not be forced to create leftover dishes all the time that only I end up eating.
Game changing gadgets for us in the kitchen are us air fryers, slow cookers and our microwave oven. These save time, money and washing up with some liners. I’m also a fan of the Ninja Gadgets which are great for foodies like me. We have a smoker, a toaster and an electric barbecue.
My wife also uses a pizza oven with the kids and a hotpot for the dining room table for a healthy Chinese dinner. It’s a bit like a fondue but you cook on the table meat, vegetables and whatever else you fancy by plunging it into different flavour broths.
That said don’t go gadget crazy as I can do, just get one you’ll use a lot to start with. If you’re going to get anything I’d recommend an air fryer and buy reusable liners for it.
For all us latest hacks from our Yorkshire Kitchen, head to YorkshireFamilies.co.uk and my blog DannyMalin.co.uk Follow @mrandmrsyorkshire @DannyMalinOfficial
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