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The Real Meal Deal

Eat Well, Waste Less this Easter

Published 13 days ago • 2 min read

Hi Reader

Easter is a great time for celebrating and coming together. With a little planning and a few simple ideas, you can enjoy fabulous food but cut the waste, which you'll be very happy about next week.

If you're hosting family or friends this Easter, the first thing is not to panic and over-cater. We all have a tendency to do this, but have confidence in these tried and tested portion sizes. Calculate how much veg, potatoes etc you need and go with that.

  • Vegetables: 80g per person (3oz). If you are serving more than two vegetables, you can reduce this further.
  • Dried Pasta: 60 - 100g per person (2 oz - 3.5oz)
  • Fresh Pasta: 70-120 g per person (2.5oz - 4.2oz)
  • Rice: 50 g per person (1.7oz)

Potatoes: With lots of sides, 125 g or 4 oz per person. For a larger spread, 250 g or 8 oz per person.

Secondly, shop with a list. Check your fridge and freezer first then make a list of anything extra you need to buy.

Make a list of some use-it up meals for during the following week.

If you're going for a traditional lamb, try this lamb tagine for leftovers. For a roast gammon, this carbonara is always my go-to.

For vegetable leftovers, use them up in soups, stir-fry's, omelettes, quiches or pasta bakes. Below I've put together some easy leftover ideas that you can easily adapt to what you have.

Easter Centre-Piece

A great Easter centre-piece that can be made in advance.

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Easy Quiche

This easy quiche recipe with no cream is straightforward and a great option for using up any leftovers.

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Tortilla Quiche (no pastry)

A Tortilla Quiche is your ultimate leftovers hero! A pastry-free low carb 30 minute quiche that turns whatever randon leftovers you have in your fridge into an impressive breakfast, brunch, or lunch idea. It's also a perfect way to use up tortilla wraps!

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Stir Fry. Ultimate Leftovers Meal

This stir fry recipe uses prawns, but you can swap in any other meat or keep it veggie. It's quick, easy, and healthy ready in just 20 minutes and great for using up leftovers.

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Lamb Tagine. Perfect for Leftover Roast Lamb

I shared this last week, but as so many people eat lamb at Easter, I'm sharing again as a simple and easy way to use up leftover roast lamb.

Whatever you're up to this weekend, have a wonderful time and Happy Easter.

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