Have you whipped up a big meal, just to find lots of food waste or leftover ingredients that pile up in your refrigerator? Check out these five recipes that repurpose your ingredients and leftovers to reduce food waste and in turn, generate cost savings!

Chinese Style Fried Rice

The beauty of fried rice is turning leftover ingredients into a plate of flavourful, filling goodness. You can use any vegetables or meat you like – together with your leftover rice from the day before.

First, scramble two eggs in a large pan or wok, add chopped onions, garlic and any diced meats or vegetables. Cook them until soft. Stir in chilled rice, add soy sauce and oyster sauce. Fry them constantly on high heat, making sure every grain of rice is evenly coated with sauce. When the rice and veggies start to brown, add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well, top it off with some chopped spring onion and there you have it – the perfect meal for any busy weekday.

Fried Spring Rolls

If you’ve got some leftover meats, cabbage, onions and carrots, you’re in for a treat as that’s exactly what you need for some tasty spring rolls!

Shred cabbage and carrots, boil them in a large pot of water for five minutes, then drain out the water. Saute chopped onion in a pan over medium-high heat and set aside. Prepare minced chicken or pork in a bowl, add the cabbage, carrots and chopped onions, season with salt and pepper. Mix them thoroughly. Place a spoonful of mixture on a spring roll wrapper, roll it up tightly, brush a little water on the top corner of the wrapper and seal it up. Repeat the steps until you finish all the mixture. Now, fry the spring rolls over high heat till golden brown and enjoy your crispy treat!

Assorted Vegetables with Chickpea Curry

This curry dish can be made using leftover vegetables such as ladyfinger, bottle gourd and eggplant.

First, heat up your leftover vegetables in a pot, add ground boiled chickpeas, some curry leaves, two teaspoons of salt and chicken powder. Add water to cover the ingredients, bring it to a boil and cover the pot. When the soup starts to thicken, add some boiled eggs, tamarind broth, and more ladyfingers if you’d like. Finally, add masala powder and any other seasoning you like. This pot of steaming, comforting chickpea curry is perfect, especially for the rainy season.

Potato Skin Chips

Did you know that potato skin can be turned into a delicious, addictive snack? Try this zero-waste vegan recipe to give your potato peels a new life!

When you’re making a potato dish, make sure to wash your potatoes thoroughly, peel them in long and thin slices, and set the peels aside. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Pat dry the peels with a kitchen towel, and coat them with one teaspoon of oil. Lay out the peels on a baking sheet, season with salt, pepper and some chilli powder if you prefer an extra kick. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, and add any additional seasonings of your choice. Enjoy it as a light, tasty, crunchy snack!

Mango Pickles

If you wish to preserve mangoes to keep them a little longer, why not turn them into delicious mango pickles that can be enjoyed with any meal!

Wash green mangoes thoroughly, dry them with a kitchen towel, and cut them into one-inch slices. Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Cook the sliced mangoes in boiling water for 10 minutes, and set aside to cool. Heat oil in a pot, add chilli powder, mustard seeds and masala powder. Stir in sugar or honey until dissolved, turn off the heat, then add chopped garlic and green chillies. Combine the boiled mangoes, ensuring even coating, and allow it to cool. Transfer the cooled mangoes into a clean glass jar and let them soak for a day.

On the following day, cover the surface of the mangoes with hot oil, and seal the jar tightly. Your pickled mangoes will be ready after approximately two weeks of soaking. Store them in the refrigerator and serve the desired amount with a clean spoon whenever you crave some mango pickles. For the best experience, try to consume them within 30 days.

 Give these zero-waste recipes that help you turn leftovers and extra ingredients into tasty dishes a try! For all your grocery shopping needs and more, head to the nearest marketplace supermarket and don’t forget to save this article!