Released: November 19, 2003

Save Time, Money with Leftovers

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Leftovers can simplify meal preparation to a point where experienced cooks often cook more than needed so they can have several meals with minimal effort, said Sandy Procter, Kansas State University Research and Extension nutrition specialist.

Procter, who also is a registered dietitian, is such a person. She said that she challenges herself to plan leftovers that can stretch meals and food dollars.

“Single servings can be handy for lunch and snacks, and also good when added to soups and stews,” said Procter, who said that she sometimes combines several single-serving size containers of leftover spaghetti sauce to complete a family meal.

Food safety can be an issue, said the nutrition specialist who offered these tips:

* Cool food in the refrigerator and not on the kitchen counter. The general rule is this:  Food left sitting out for two hours or more should be discarded.

* Transfer a bowl full or large quantity to a shallow container to speed uniform cooling; cover food as it cools to prevent mingling of flavors.

* When cool, transfer leftovers to food storage containers, freezer wrap or bags.

“Intended use can dictate the choice of food storage wrap or container,” Procter said.

“If, for example, leftovers will be used in a day or two, storing them in a covered container in the refrigerator usually is adequate. If leftovers will be frozen for future use, mark contents and date stored clearly on the package to be frozen.

*Container or bag?

“Some foods lend themselves to space-saving freezer bags,” said Procter, who fills freezer bags with soup and then lays the bags in a single layer in the freezer. Once the soup is frozen, Procter stacks the bags to save freezer space.

While a written inventory of what is placed in the freezer and when it was placed might be ideal, noting the date and the contents on the freezer bag or food storage container are helpful in choosing and using leftovers in a timely manner, she said.

For more information on food and food storage, contact the local K-State Research and Extension office or visit Extension’s Web site: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Nancy Peterson, Communications Specialist
nancyp@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News