After a delicious Easter lunch with family and friends, you may find yourself with a fridge full of leftovers. But fear not! Instead of letting those tasty morsels go to waste, why not transform them into three nifty recipes that will keep you going for days?

As we eagerly anticipate Easter festivities, it's important to consider the environmental impact of our celebrations. Easter, like many holidays, often involves an abundance of food – from lavish feasts to sweet treats – but unfortunately, this can also lead to a significant amount of food waste. Australians discard around 7.3 million tonnes of food each year, with spikes seen during festive holidays like easter – think of all those chocolate wrappers!

But one of the biggest culprits of food waste during Easter is leftover food from celebratory meals. But rather than letting those delicious dishes go to waste, we have the opportunity to get creative and repurpose them into new culinary delights. Not only does this help reduce food waste, but it also promotes sustainability by making the most of every ingredient and resource available to us. By using Easter leftovers creatively, we not only minimise our environmental footprint but also save money in the process. Instead of tossing out unused portions of roast meat or vegetables, we can transform them into new meals that are just as delicious as the original feast. From hearty soups and casseroles to flavourful sandwiches and salads, the possibilities are endless when it comes to repurposing leftovers.

Additionally, getting creative with leftovers allows us to stretch our food budget further, making it a win-win for both our wallets and the planet. By embracing a "waste not, want not" mentality, we can enjoy tasty meals while also doing our part to reduce food waste and promote sustainability in our communities. 

This Easter, let's challenge ourselves to think outside the box and find innovative ways to use up leftovers, minimise food waste, and make a positive impact on the environment. From classic comfort food to creative twists, we've got you covered with these clever ways to make the most of your Easter leftovers.

Bubble and Squeak

This traditional British dish is exactly what it sounds like – it’s the perfect way to use up leftover mashed potatoes and veggies from your Easter feast. Simply mix together mashed potatoes, chopped cooked vegetables (such as carrots, peas, and Brussels sprouts), and any other leftover cooked greens or meat you have on hand. Form the mixture into patties and fry until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Serve with a dollop of tangy chutney or a runny fried egg for a hearty and satisfying meal. Here’s how:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
• 1 cup leftover roast vegetables (such as carrots, peas, Brussels sprouts)
• 1 cup leftover roast chicken, diced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: fried eggs, chutney for serving

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together the mashed potatoes, leftover roast vegetables, and diced roast chicken until well combined.
2. Heat olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Form the potato mixture into patties and carefully place them in the skillet.
3. Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy.
4. Serve the bubble and squeak patties hot, with a dollop of chutney on top or a fried egg on the side, if desired. 

Leftover Frittata

Frittatas are incredibly versatile and a great way to use up leftover meats, cheeses, and vegetables from Easter lunch. Simply whisk together eggs, milk, salt, and pepper, then stir in your leftover ingredients. Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and bake until set and golden brown. Serve slices of frittata warm or at room temperature for a quick and easy meal that's perfect for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup leftover roast vegetables (such as potatoes, bell peppers, onions)
• 1 cup leftover roast meat (such as ham, turkey, beef), diced
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (such as cheddar, mozzarella)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch pie dish with olive oil.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Stir in the leftover roast vegetables, diced meat, and shredded cheese until evenly distributed.
4. Pour the egg mixture into the prepared pie dish and spread it out evenly.
5. Bake the frittata in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until set and golden brown on top.
6. Allow the frittata to cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Leftovers Toasted Sandwiches

Turn your Easter leftovers into gourmet grilled sandwiches that are sure to impress. Layer slices of leftover roast meat, vegetables, and cheese between two slices of bread or leftover dinner rolls. Spread a little mustard or cranberry sauce on the bread for extra flavour, then grill the sandwiches in a hot pan until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey. Serve with a side of leftover salad or a bowl of soup for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• Leftover slices of roast meat (such as ham, turkey, beef)
• Leftover roast vegetables (such as bell peppers, onions, zucchini)
• Leftover dinner rolls or bread slices
• Mustard or cranberry sauce, for spreading
• Butter, for grilling

Instructions:

1. Preheat a panini press or grill pan over medium heat.
2. Slice the dinner rolls or bread in half and spread mustard or cranberry sauce on one side of each slice.
3. Layer the leftover slices of roast meat and roast vegetables on top of one half of the bread slices.
4. Top with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
5. Spread butter on the outer sides of the sandwiches.
6. Grill the sandwiches in the preheated panini press or grill pan for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted.
7. Remove the sandwiches from the grill, slice in half if desired, and serve hot. Enjoy your gourmet leftovers toasted sandwiches!

These recipes are perfect for using up Easter lunch leftovers and turning them into delicious meals the whole family will love! 

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