5 money-saving tips using leftovers

Minimising waste by using up leftovers in creative ways makes us feel good and be green. We also spend less!

Here are our best saver tips to make the most of leftovers:

1. Leftover pasta or noodles can be made into a yummy frittata. Just like potatoes or other vegetables are used to make a frittata, combine pasta/noodles with eggs in a pan. Add fresh or dried herbs and leftover meat. Serve with a tasty relish and a big salad.

2. To revive a stale loaf of bread, sprinkle with water or milk and wrap it in foil. Bake at 180ºC for about 8 minutes, and a few minutes longer for crusty baguettes. Open foil for the last few minutes.

3. Use up hard cheese and stale bread. Whiz together in the blender or food processor to make cheesy crumbs. These make a delicious topping for vegetable bakes, or use to coat fish and meat.

4. Jazz up leftover cooked spuds by making a modern version of bubble ‘n’ squeak. Fry onion and garlic in a pan, add leftover sausages or a little bacon, add spuds and any other leftover veg, then fresh spinach or silverbeet. Cook until a golden crust forms on the base. Slice into wedges and serve with barbecue or chilli sauce.

5. Transform leftover rice into rice cakes. Combine rice with an egg to bind, then add fresh basil and parsley or other herbs, and a little grated cheese. Shape mixture into cakes and cook in a frying pan over medium heat, or bake in the oven at 180ºC. Serve with meat or a simple garden salad.