SHRINK YOUR WASTE
THERE'S NO NEED TO MAKE A HASH OF YOUR FESTIVE OVERFLOW. BE AN UPCYCLING NOEL-IT-ALL BY TRANSFORMING YOUR SAD SURPLUS INTO LEAN, GOURMET FARE AND UNWRAP EXTRA NUTRIENTS
Turn festive leftovers into lean, gourmet fare. You won’t miss turkey sandwiches
HO-HO-HOME 01 ECONOMICS
From vintage threads to ‘hip-cycling’ used furniture, swanky salvage might be au courant but using festive leftovers to create crowdpleasing dishes is a timeless skill – particularly seeing as Brits now bin one fifth of our food. “Not only does it save money, you’ll naturally rustle up more interesting recipes,” says Suzy Bowler, author of The Leftovers Handbook. Better still, a night in the fridge can gift your food with a blizzard of fresh health benefits:
i) TURKEY
Rich in hunger-crushing protein and energising phosphorus, turkey is one of the few meats that actually tastes better the next day. The chewy texture of cold turkey triggers your body to release extra enzymes like amylase to support digestion.
ii) MASH
Energy-boosting mash contains vitamin B6 which helps break down the glycogen needed to power your return to the gym. A night in the fridge increases its level of resistant starch, which means fewer calories and blood sugar spikes. Smashing.
iii) SAUSAGES
Leftover bangers are a source of metabolism-boosting niacin, plus vit B12, which helps keep your mood on an even keel. Eating them cold tenderises the protein, making it easier for your body to process it and refuel your hungry muscles.
iv) CARROTS
Carrots contain immunity-boosting vitamins A and C and the electrolyte potassium, all of which will help to fight festive hangovers. Blitzed into soups, your leftover snowman noses will slow gastric emptying, thereby enhancing nutrient absorption.
02 SA N TA’ S LITTLE HELPERS
Your leftovers revolution starts with smart storage. “Don’t allow your excess food to linger at room temperature,” says Bowler. It increases the odds of harmful bacteria gathering. “Store it in sealed containers in the fridge.” Joseph Joseph’s containers (£11 amara.com) feature a rotating date dial so you can be sure no item has overstayed its welcome. “A versatile Santoku knife (£79 procook.co.uk) is a crucial utensil when handling leftovers,” says Bowler. Santoku is Japanese for ‘three virtues’, referring to the knives’ versatility – slicing, dicing and mincing – while dimples on the blade prevent food from sticking to it, which is ideal when prepping cold cuts. Finish your wish list with Klarstein’s 1500w Herakles mixer (£95 amazon.co.uk): it will blitz anything from soups and sauces to dips and pates for the full spectrum of Betwixtmas treats.