Yummy ways to make the most of your leftovers

Around 50 percent of the rubbish Aussies put in their everyday mixed waste bin is organic food waste, according to ABS stats. While composting continues to grow in popularity, there will always be barriers. You could be unsure of where to even start, be put off by the smell, or maybe don’t have the space or time to invest in a good composting routine. Luckily, there are also plenty of ways to use up your food scraps before getting ready to compost them. Here are my top five yummy ways to make the most of your leftovers.

1. Freeze fruits

Freezing fruits such as berries, kiwi fruits, mangos and even bananas is a great way to preserve them when they are starting to soften – just slice, place them in a resealable bag or airtight container, and store in the freezer.

You can then make delicious smoothies or frozen treats with them. This is a perfect way to use up fruits that may not be fresh enough to eat on their own, and it also helps prevent food waste. Any scraps you have left, like banana and mango skins or strawberry tops, can then be composted.

2. Fritters with leftover veggies

Instead of throwing away veggies that are laying around in your fridge that may not be quite fresh enough to use in salads or other dishes, you can make delicious healthy fritters. It’s also a great way to use up any one-off vegetables that don’t make a meal of their own.

Grate the vegetables and make a batter with flour, eggs and your go-to herbs and spices. Rather than frying the fritters, they also work well baked. Fritters make for the perfect snack at home and are a good way to get more veggies into your diet with an easy clean up.

3. Yoghurt bark

If you have a tub of yoghurt that hasn’t been eaten and is getting close to expiry, don’t throw it away. Instead, make the most of your leftovers by turning it into a healthy and delicious yoghurt bark snack. Simply mix the yoghurt with honey and vanilla extract and pour onto a lined baking tray. Add your favourite toppings such as granola, nuts, seeds, or fruits then freeze. Break it up into smaller pieces for the perfect healthy snack.

4. Frittata and egg muffins

Frittata is a versatile dish that is one of the easiest ways to make the most of your leftovers. You can either use raw vegetables or even leftover cooked vegetables from last night’s dinner. Simply chop up the veggies and combine with some beaten eggs. You can also add cheese, herbs, or any other ingredients that you have on hand. Cook in an oven dish or a muffin tin to make savoury egg muffins. It’s a great way to get creative with your cooking, plus any veggie scraps or eggshells can be composted.

5. Bread pudding

We’ve all been there, that loaf of bread that you were so excited to eat is now stale.  So give it new life by making bread pudding. This is a delicious and comforting snack or dessert that’s perfect for using up leftover bread. Tear the stale bread into small pieces and mix with eggs, milk, sweetener, and cinnamon. Bake the mixture in an oven dish until it’s golden brown and crispy on top. Serve it with a dollop of yoghurt and some fresh fruits to keep it healthy. And those are my top five ways to make the most of your leftovers.

About the author: Currently residing in Sicily, Italy – Aussie Tiktok star, Ayeh Manfre, better known as Cooking with Ayeh has amassed 2.4 million followers on her platform by sharing her favourite flavour-packed recipes along with step-by-step instructions, so anyone can follow along at home. Ayeh hopes to inspire her audience to experiment with flavours and unique produce, in turn showcasing that healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring.