by Sandra Piddock

Created on: January 02, 2009   Last Updated: February 13, 2010

I never waste food, but Christmas presents a special challenge when it comes to recycling leftovers, as we all buy far too much perishable food. What makes us think that, during this particular holiday, our entire family will depart from their usual eating patterns and demolish their own body weight - or more -  in Christmas goodies?

To ensure that your new, creative offerings are eaten and enjoyed, make sure your leftovers don't taste or look like leftovers. Create something that's a stand-alone treat, rather than a desperate attempt to clear another little space in the fridge. Here are some of my particular favourites.

1. Make some shortcrust pastry, then cook together some onions, peppers, garlic and tomatoes. If you have lots of fresh tomatoes, use those, otherwise a tin is fine. Line a pie dish, and cover the base of the pastry with half of your vegetable mixture. Now layer slices of leftover cooked meats until the pie dish is almost full. Top with the remainder of the tomato and vegetable mix, then put on a pastry lid, making a hole in the top to allow steam to escape. Cook in a hot oven for 40 - 50 minutes depending on size. Beat an egg and spread over the top of the pie to glaze, allowing some of the egg to go through the hole in the pastry lid. Return to the oven for 10 - 15 minutes more, until the top is golden.

Serve hot or cold, but if you allow it to cool, the layers will be more defined. Cooking the meat will extend the keeping time, so the pie should be good for two or three days - if it lasts that long!

2. Make an extra-special omelette. Chop any leftover vegetables into bite-size pieces. My own 'After Christmas Omelette' contained peppers, tomatoes, courgettes, mushrooms, peas, onions, garlic and cooked potatoes. Saute the onions and garlic for a few minutes, then add the rest of the vegetables and cook until just softening. Now add leftover meat or fish, This works well with prawns, salmon and tuna, or cooked sausages, ham and pork. Heat through, then whip up eggs with a little water, using 2 per person. Pour into the pan and, when the eggs are halfway cooked, place the whole pan under the grill to cook the top of the omelette. Serve with leftover bread, toasted.

3. Stir fry strips of leftover vegetables, then add meat or fish and your favourite oriental sauce. Serve with rice or noodles.

If you're fed up of your own leftovers and they're still fit to eat, why not organise a 'leftover swap' with friends or neighbours? Invite up to 6 people for coffee and cakes or wine and cheese. Around noon is the best time to do this. Ask each guest to bring their leftovers on a paper plate. Lay all the plates on a large table in a cool room. When your guests leave, each one takes a different plate of leftovers with them. You're the host, so you should have first pick!

This is a great way to catch up with friends after Christmas, and revitalise your taste buds with something different at no cost to yourself or your friends. Enjoy!

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