10 Creative Ways to Use Leftover Vegetables After Christmas Dinner
The Christmas season is finally here! This means get-togethers with friends and family, fun outdoor activities, and indulging in delicious food. If you like to cook up a storm for Christmas dinner, chances are that you’ll end up with leftovers. And if you’re trying to maintain a healthy diet, throwing away food is not only a waste, but it also goes against your goals.
Fortunately, there are plenty of creative ways to use leftover vegetables after Christmas dinner. In this article, we share 10 of our favourite ideas to help you make the most of your leftovers.
Make a vegetable soup
One of the easiest and most versatile ways to use leftover vegetables is to make a soup. Simply add your leftover veggies to a pot, along with some herbs and spices, and a little water and let it simmer.
Make a stir fry
Stir-frying is a quick and easy way to use up leftover vegetables. Simply chop up your veggies into small pieces, and stir-fry them with some garlic and ginger. You can add some protein like tofu, chicken, beef, or prawns, and toss everything with some soy sauce or your favourite Asian sauce.
Blend them into a smoothie
If you have leftover leafy greens like kale, spinach, or broccoli, they’d be perfect for adding to smoothies. You can blend them up with some fruit, yoghurt, and your favourite milk for a delicious and healthy breakfast.
Roast them
Roasting is a great way to bring out the natural sweetness in vegetables. You can roast any leftover vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, or sweet potatoes, and toss them with some olive oil and spices for a flavourful side dish.
Make a frittata
Frittatas are a great way to use up leftover vegetables and eggs. Simply sauté your veggies in a skillet, and then pour in some beaten eggs. Bake it in the oven for a few minutes, and you’ll have a delicious and nutritious breakfast or lunch.
Create a salad
If you have leftover veggies like roasted beetroot, carrots, or butternut squash, they’d be perfect for adding to a salad. You can toss them with some leafy greens, nuts, and a simple vinaigrette for a quick and easy meal.
Bake them into a quiche
Like frittatas, quiches are a great way to use leftover veggies and eggs. You can add some cheese and herbs to the mix, and bake it in the oven for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Make a veggie burger
If you have leftover mashed potatoes, carrots, or other root vegetables, you can mix them with some beans and spices to make a delicious veggie burger. Top it with some cheese, avocado, and your favorite sauce, and you’ll have a satisfying and healthy meal.
Create a savoury porridge
Porridge isn’t just for breakfast anymore. You can create a savoury porridge bowl by adding leftover roasted veggies, some nuts, and a fried egg on top. Top it with some hot sauce and you’ll have a healthy and filling meal any time of day.
Make a vegetable-based dip
If you still have a lot of leftover veggies, you can blend them up with some Greek yoghurt or cream cheese to make a delicious dip. This would be perfect for serving with pita chips, crackers, or raw veggies.
Summary
Leftover vegetables don’t have to go to waste. With a little bit of creativity, you can turn them into delicious and healthy meals for days to come. Whether you’re making a vegetable broth, roasting them, or creating a savoury oatmeal bowl, there are endless ways to use up your leftovers. So the next time you plan on cooking up a storm for Christmas dinner, make sure to save your leftovers and put them to good use. Your wallet and your healthy eating goals will thank you.