How to enjoy your leftovers

As an adult, we often get swept away with our day-to-day tasks, and forget to properly take care of ourselves. Especially when it comes to prepping meals, meal planning and making food in general; we often dread the idea of cooking. This is because after having a long day at work, being with friends, travelling etc. we just want to rest. However, I believe that with proper preparation and proper planning, this dread can easily fade away.

Another important aspect to focus on is leftovers. Not thinking about leftovers is one of the biggest mistake a home cook can make. This is because we often stereotype leftovers as being unappetizing (I did at least), however, it WILL save you time and money. Especially being a 3rd year university student, I learnt to love leftovers, to enjoy leftovers and incorporate the thought of leftovers in every meal I make.

With this blog, I will reveal how it is possible to eat 3 proper meals a day and how to properly plan and prepare your meals. I will also reveal how to enjoy your leftovers and how to have unlimited food in your fridge!

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Ideas Thanksgiving Leftovers

Christmas Leftovers

Left to Right: (Bon Appetit, 2014), (Blue Apron, 2020), (U.S Department of Agriculture, 2020)

Why Eat Leftovers?

1. Saves you time and money

2. Gives you extra time to do other things

3. When you have finally have time to cook, you can cook a lot without having to rush

4. Leftover food lasts as good as 3-4 days.

Tips on How to Eat Leftovers:

• Whenever you have the time to cook, cook a lot of food so that you have a lot of leftovers (2/3 meals worth- it is up to you!). This way, you do not need to rush your cooking, and you end up with delicious food that you can even share with others!

• Store it in an air-tight tupperware to ensure food security.

• Freeze if you think it will go bad! However this only works for certain foods, so research about it before hand.

Making Leftovers Aesthetic:

Buy aesthetic tupperwares (e.g. glass, colourful etc.). This might not seem so important however, this really helped me overcome my stereotype of leftovers being unappetising. By buying nice tupperwares the food looks more presentable and more appetising.

Leftover Ingredient Examples:

1. Rice

2. Bread

3. Potatoes

4. Meat (chicken, beef etc.)

5. Veggies (mushrooms, zucchini, carrots etc.)

6. Sauces (to add extra flavour when eating your leftovers)

7. Toppings (e.g. fried onions, sesame seeds, spring onions etc.)

I really think it is important that people, especially students and those trying to live off a budget; should start thinking smart when it comes to leftovers. Instead of cooking one meal, add a bit more ingredients and have dinner or lunch prepared! Running low on time? You have leftovers to rely on. Too lazy? Leftovers. Too broke? Leftovers.

SEE: My Last Post on "The Easiest and Best Homemade Beef Stew"