Leftovers and what to do with them...

I got to the stage today where I got a bit "fooded out" - I had to plan next weeks meals and go shopping but I really didn't want to, the past few weeks have been a bit full on in the kitchen, and just for a while my enthusiasm had waned.  The house was full of good things but I didn't want to eat any of them, and I had to use up stuff that we were all a little bit bored of.  Thankfully my friends on Facebook came to the rescue  with some helpful suggestions and I got over it!

We don't usually have leftovers in our house, unless I've cooked extra on purpose so there's some for the next day's lunch.  Christmas is the only time when I have to think extra carefully what to do so as to avoid waste and boredom of  eating the same old things, ie turkey.  Following on from my "It's Christmas!" and "Waste not want not" posts, here is a guide to how to manage what can be a food overload during the Festive Season.

One.  Don't overbuy in the first place.  It's very easy to go crazy with the shopping and cook way too much of everything.  Remember there will be snacks, starters, the main course, probably a selction of puddings, cheese, chocolates, sweets etc.. The only thing in my experience you have to cook loads of is roast potatoes.  Also, check use by dates and buy the longest date possible.

Two.  After Christmas dinner, make sure to give away lots to those who are going back to a house without any leftovers.  There's nothing worse than waking up on boxing day with a bare fridge and no leftover meat to have with chips that day.  Keep enough for yourself though!  This is one of those times when washed out Chinese takeaway containers come into their own (and yes, I DO have takeaways now and again).  I've also given away excess macaroons, trifle and Christmas cake, which keeps for ages and incidentally is yummy with cheddar cheese.

Three.  Make bubble and squeak with the sprouts and carrots, you can make it into little patties, Nigel Slater puts a piece of cheese in the middle (I'm going to try that!) or go for the freeform version.  As a greens lover, B&S is one of my favourite things.  Have with cold meat and a fried egg.

Four.  Freeze some.  I froze a good dollop of the parsnip and ginger puree and the red cabbage this year, to enjoy with a roast dinner at a later date.

Five.  Think creatively.  This is what I did with my  seven and a half kilo turkey this year:  Fed thirteen people for Christmas Day dinner, gave some away, had some cold while I picked the meat off the bones on Christmas evening, made sandwiches, husband took some to work in a box with tomatoes and chilli and cranberry sauce.  Had some more cold with bubble and squeak, remains of bread sauce and remains of red cabbage.  On Boxing day I made three litres of stock from the bones, adding two chicken carcases from the freezer and the usual carrot, celery, onion, herbs etc. I froze two litres and refrigerated the rest.  I was going to make soup but changed my mind and made a turkey, ham, leek and mushroom pie using both the stock and some leftover double cream that was brought to go with the puddings -  I rustled up some shortcrust pastry in the processor and there you have it - there was enough for two pies so I gave the smaller one to my parents.  Turkey, gone.  Other friends have had ideas of Asian turkey salad, Turkey fricassee, Fajitas etc.  I think the Asian salad is a great idea, lots of people tell me that after Christmas they crave salad, fresh tastes and a bit of spice!  There are often ideas for using leftovers in food magazines and on websites such as lovefood.com.

Six.  Plan the next weeks meals around what you have left, this usually means you will spend less too at a time of year when money is tight. 

Seven.  Remember things keep for longer than you might think. Cheese, for example.

My food waste bin was emptied today (after three weeks) and it was still only two thirds full, even with all the bones from the stock, and some bubble and squeak which had to be wasted because I burnt it :-(   There was only a very small amount of plate scrapings on Christmas Day, but this IS my family we are talking about.

And it's okay to have tea and chocolate for breakfast every day if you're not going to work or school.... you think I'm joking, don't you?

Thank you for reading, more soon.

Caroline x

PS  I don't think I ever mentioned the result of the Bake Off.  I did win the biscuit category, but there was only one other entrant.  So I am officially the best biscuit maker out of two biscuit makers in the hospital.  And I have a high quality certificate to prove it!

PPS  I am now the proud owner of  a KitchenAid Artisan Food MIxer.  I think that after a while it may deserve a blog post all to itself...