Christmas is nearly here – that’s why we’re celebrating Leftovers week here at Big Barn!

At this time of year, we’re all acutely aware of how lucky we are to be able to eat to excess, while there are people who visit one of the UK’s 2,000 plus food banks in the UK.

So while we’re making sure we don’t waste any of what we have, here are some tips and links on how to use up, or transform, some of your beautifully cooked, but left over food, into delicious meals.

Sandwiches
Turkey, bread sauce, stuffing, lettuce, red currant jelly and mayonnaise in a sandwich must be one of the tastiest combinations, and worth ordering a larger turkey than you need!

Stock & Soup
Throwing the turkey carcass away before making stock is crazy. The stock can be the base of a great soup. Simply add the leftover veg, gravy, some pepper, lentils and herbs, blend and hey presto a delicious and nutritious soup for after Christmas detox.

Bubble & squeak
This has to be one of the best and delicious ways to use up left over potatoes and cooked vegetables. Simply add a little oil to a frying pan and add all the chopped up left overs. To add a bit of extra flavour add a little chilli, herbs or chorizo sausage and serve with ketchup.

Curry
If you have lots of meat left over make a curry. You can fry and onion and use curry mixes, sauces or paste then add the meat and veg at the end to heat through. Serve with nan bread, home made raita (chopped cucumber in plain yoghurt) and mango chutney.

Pie
Like the curry idea make a sauce/stock/gravy, add the meat and veg allow to cool then put in a dish with puff pastry over the top.

For more complete recipes and ideas try the BBC Good Food website or for more ideas on waste try the Love Food Hate Waste website
omelette.