Use it up! Don't throw it in the bin!

missychrissy

Cooked a Green Thai chicken curry day before yesterday using a jar that was use before mar 2009. It was lovely and certainly not passed it's best. I used it up for lunch yesterday and for my dinner this evening and still very good. I've found some noodles and another 'cook in' jar ( 3 for £1 in B & M) passed it's use by date so will have to use them up next.

I've started clearing my cupboards now on a regular basis in order to spot the things approaching their use by dates. It only takes a few mins and is much better than wasting food.

Summer74_2

I have just cooked a Roast Chicken and as there is just me there is a lot left. I have found lots of recipes on the web for leftovers, however can somebody suggest a site that advises on storing and freezing? How long will the cook chicken last in the fridge? If I freeze it can I recook without having to cook it so much there is no flavour left? I've had food poisoning once and it's not pleasant.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Summer

Mags_cat

Summer74 wrote: »

I have just cooked a Roast Chicken and as there is just me there is a lot left. I have found lots of recipes on the web for leftovers, however can somebody suggest a site that advises on storing and freezing? How long will the cook chicken last in the fridge? If I freeze it can I recook without having to cook it so much there is no flavour left? I've had food poisoning once and it's not pleasant.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Summer

Cooked chicken should be fine in the fridge for at least two or three days - cover it closely to stop it drying out.

If you've got some spare gravy from the roast today, you can freeze sliced chicken in the gravy - makes it lovely and moist when you reheat it.

gizmo111

I slice leftover chicken and freeze for sarnies for work/school. I also defrost and use for a dinner just add gravy etc. Also legs can be frozen whole and taken out as required and eaten whole cold or reheated either plain or in a sauce.

You won't need to cook it as such, just reheat, but once you have frozen it once you cannot reheat and then freeze again. I have made the casserole without the chicken and just popped it in for the last half hour or so to make it hot. Chicken tends to shred when reheated, which isn't a problem for me but some don't like it.

You could make a chicken pie, or several small ones for yourself and freeze with raw pastry then just pop in oven.

Also chicken is great in a stir fry, or even in soup.

patchwork_cat

Don't reheat the cooked chicken then freeze and reheat. Only reheat cooked meat once. I used to say 48 hours for chicken from cooking, but I think that 3 days is probably fine. Portion it our now though and freeze what you are going to freeze sooner rather than later.

NualaBuala

It's not really leftovers but I hate waste so was delighted to use up some stale crackers by crumbling them up and using them as a sort of breadcrumb topping mixed with some grated cheese. I put them over a bacon, onion and potato bake and it turned out lovely.

ETA: Also used an almost black mushy banana by mixing with a small pot of custard - it was really nice.

Kitchenbunny

I like that idea with the crackers - I have a box of those leftover from the wedding (hope they're still ok and not soggy) so will give that a go

I don't usually get leftover bananas, but when I do we have them chopped with ice-cream

Kitchenbunny xx

jennyjelly

Mystery Bubble & Squeak!

As long as half the bulk is well seasoned mashed potato the other half can be any veges at all. It never fails, however odd the contents sound. It freezes well too.

Viva la Bubble!

oneeyedandgreen

I cooked a roast chicken for Sunday lunch and then attempted to make some stock. However, instead of going a nice amber colour like it was supposed to it's a murky brown and very unappetising. Was going to freeze it to make stock cubes but not sure if I should just get rid and chalk it down as a learning experience!

I put the chicken bones with a bit of the fat on, an onion, carrots, garlic, peppercorns and some herbs in the pan, used cold water and brought it to the boil. Then left it simmering for about 3 hours before draining in a sieve. Did I do anything wrong? Can I rescue it?

I'm new to this leftover cooking and saving stuff so not really sure what I'm doing. Thanks for any help!

missychrissy

Freeze it. It will not matter what it looks like when it is mixed with other ingredients in a soup or casserole.