The festive Christmas dinner is definitely one of the most beautiful parts of the holiday. Despite the time and money we have spent preparing dinner, many of the foods end up in the bin after a few days either because we don't know how to use them or because we don't know how to store them properly. In this article we will give you some tips and ideas on how not to let the holiday food go to waste.
Meats.
Stuffed turkey or pork roll are the most common choices for the festive table. Because as meats they are typically leaner, in the following days the microwave oven will dry them out, resulting in a rubbery unappealing texture. You can use them as a base for salads, pies and sandwiches by shredding them and adding some sauce, cream or yogurt.
Sweets.
Melomakarona and kourabiedes dry out after a while and end up being thrown away. Let's be honest, many times we buy more than we need but it's a shame if they go to waste, while we can give them new life. If we think of them as a base in an unsweetened cream, we will realize how many recipes we can use them for. For example, cheesecake with a melomakarono base.
Use proper storage methods.
If there are a couple of pieces of new year’s eve pie left over, don't leave them exposed. Why let them dry out when you can store them using Beeswax Wrap, in the first place. The most important thing is that unlike the typical plastic film, the Beeswax Wrap leaves no smell, as it is made of non-toxic ecological materials and is reusable. That is, it can also be used as a cover over the salad bowl to keep it fresh.
Doughs.
Doughs or breads, like sweets, can become dry or even moldy without proper storage. In this case you have three options:
1) Keep them fresh by wrapping them with Beeswax Wrap in the same mindset as the new year’s eve cake.
2) If they become dry or wrinkled you can 'refresh' them by wrapping them in a wet paper towel and heating them for 1 minute in the microwave.
3) Don't forget doughs, pies and bread can be kept up to 4-6 months in the freezer. In fact, refrigeration reduces the glycemic index that a dough can have due to the flour, while in the case of a pie it becomes a perfect post-holiday meal prep for those days when you don't know what to take with you to the office.
Incorporating these tips and ideas into your holiday food management can not only reduce waste but also add versatility and flavor to your post-holiday meals. So, enjoy your festive dishes to the fullest, and ensure they continue to delight your taste buds long after the celebrations have ended. Happy holidays and happy eating!