7 Delicious Zero-Waste Dishes
Put a tasty spin on your leftovers with these innovative recipes
1. QUESADILLAS
Chop any pre-cooked vegetables into small pieces. Fry a tortilla in one tablespoon of olive oil for 30 seconds on both sides. Sprinkle one half of the tortilla with grated cheese, then top with the chopped vegetables. Season with salt, pepper and any dressings you like, then fold over the tortilla to enclose the fillings. Brush the top with olive oil, then flip the quesadilla and fry until both sides are crispy. Repeat the process until all the ingredients are used.
2. SMOOTHIES
Slice one banana and add to a blender. Chop any fruit you wish to include and add this to the blender, along with two tablespoons of Greek yoghurt and one tablespoon of honey. Blitz for 30 seconds and serve immediately. If you prefer a smoother consistency, swap the banana for 100ml of milk. You can also stir through 25g of porridge oats for an extra nutrient boost.
3. BUDDHA BOWLS
Preheat the oven to 200C/180F/Gas 6. Slice one sweet potato into cubes and place in a roasting dish. Drain one tin of chickpeas, rinse, then place in the dish with the sweet potato. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt, cumin and garlic powder (or any other spices you have). Mix well, then roast for approximately 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook 170g of quinoa until fluffy and slice one carrot into ribbons. Assemble a large bowl with any salad ingredients you have (beetroot, cabbage and avocado work particularly well), then add the sweet potato, chickpeas and carrot ribbons. Finish with a dollop of hummus and a splash of olive oil.
4. PASTA
Cook 200g of your favourite pasta. Meanwhile, fry one chopped red onion and two cloves of sliced garlic in one tablespoon of olive oil until browned. Add two tins of chopped tomatoes, two teaspoons of oregano and season with salt and pepper. Chop any pre-cooked vegetables (or quorn pieces) you wish and add these to the tomato sauce. Simmer for 15 minutes, then add the cooked pasta and mix well. Serve with a sprinkling of vegetarian Parmesan-style cheese.
5. STIR-FRYS
Mix 200ml of soy sauce, one tablespoon of Sriracha, one tablespoon of toasted sesame oil, one tablespoon of rice vinegar and two tablespoons of curry powder. Feel free to substitute or omit ingredients for the sauce where appropriate. Cook 225g of vermicelli noodles and slice 200g of tofu into cubes. Fry the tofu cubes in one tablespoon of vegetable oil until golden brown, then add the noodles, sauce and any vegetables you wish (we recommend bean sprouts, baby corn and peppers). Once cooked, sprinkle with sesame seeds to serve.
6. SALADS
Boil 500g of new potatoes, then drain and season with one tablespoon of olive oil, the juice and zest of one lemon, and salt and pepper. Cut one broccoli into florets and cook for four minutes with 200g of green beans. Stir the broccoli and beans into the potatoes, plus any other salad ingredients you wish to include, and crumble over 100g of feta. Top with two tablespoons of pine nuts and a handful of chopped dill.
7. SOUPS
Fry one chopped onion and two chopped carrots in three tablespoons of olive oil. Add four crushed garlic cloves, two teaspoons of ground cumin, one teaspoon of curry powder and half a teaspoon of dried thyme. Pour in one drained tin of diced tomatoes, followed by 200g of brown lentils, 900ml of vegetable stock and 450ml of water. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of chilli flakes, then bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes until the lentils are tender. Transfer the soup to a blender and blitz to the desired consistency, then return to the heat and cook for five minutes. Stir in the juice of half a lemon and serve with any leftover bread or crackers.
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