I’m a cooking expert – my 9 tricks will make your leftovers taste even better than the first time
NO LONGER settle for eating soggy leftovers.
Instead, Paige Bennett, a kitchen-lover and writer for , shared nine tips for upgrading your uneaten meals.
TRY AVOIDING THE MICROWAVE
Though it's super convenient to just throw your day-old meals in the microwave, Bennett said it can make your food mushy and bland.
She suggested reheating pasta on the stove for a better taste.
For other leftovers like vegetables and meats, she said to try reheating them on the grill for a smokey taste.
USE HIGH-QUALITY CONTAINERS
If you have no choice but to use a microwave, you might want to change the container it is in.
When storing your leftovers in the fridge, she suggested using a container with a vent - preferably a glass one.
Bennett said to keep the vent closed when in the fridge, but open it up while microwaving.
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According to the expert, this will allow the steam to escape from the container and will avoid making your food soggy.
ADD MOISTURE
Bring your leftovers back to life by adding some liquid to the dish.
Grains, such as rice and pasta, absorb water as they cook and liquid needs to be replaced when reheating.
She suggested adding just a few drops of water to the dish, but for pasta, you can add milk or cream.
As for meats, throw in some butter or olive oil to keep them tender.
ADD SPICES
For a quick upgrade, Bennett said to add spices to your leftover dishes.
If you're meal prepping or know for a fact you'll have leftovers, she suggested leaving most of what you're going to save unseasoned.
This way, you can add fresh seasonings when you're ready to reheat.
"Even a little salt can go a long way," she said.
BAKE INTO CASSEROLE
Why not combine your favorite leftovers into one delicious dish?
Bennett recommended baking a casserole with leftover foods to create a totally new meal.
Since you're using already-cooked ingredients, the casserole will be ready to eat right after heating.
TURN INTO SOUP OR SAUCE
Before your leftovers go bad, the expert recommended throwing them together to create a tasty soup or sauce.
For a quick meal, boil your leftovers in a pot filled with water or broth.
For sauces, she advised heating vegetables, like squash or sweet potatoes, on the stove and then blending with milk, cream, or even water.
USE STALE CARBS
Don't throw out that stale bread just yet.
Bennett said you can use stale bread or chips to create crunchy toppings, like breadcrumbs or croutons.
For stale cookies, she recommended crumbling them and tossing them on top of ice cream for a quick dessert.
DON'T LEAVE SLICED FRUIT OUT
Not many people finish a melon in one sitting, so they end up leaving it half-cut in the fridge.
Leaving already sliced fruit in the fridge can cause it to lose its flavor.
Bennett suggested throwing it in a blender for smoothies or sticking the cut-up fruit in the freezer for later use.
ADD CHEESE
If all else fails, the expert said you can't go wrong topping your leftovers with a little cheese.
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She recommended adding it towards the end of the reheating process to keep your food from getting greasy.
To keep cookies fresh for longer, one food expert said to store them in a container with a slice of fresh bread to keep them from going stale.
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