Ah, the holidays were fun, 2021 is a step behind us, and before us awaits a fresh new year… along with a ton of leftover food! Whether from cozy family dinners or full-on guest parties, there are always leftovers—and they’re such a hassle to deal with.
Are your post-holiday leftovers sitting in the fridge, rolled up in plastic wraps, waiting to be thrown into the bin? Well, now’s the time to take them out. And get some Borges cooking oils in hand—we’ve brought here some fun and creative recipes for using up those leftovers and not letting a single bit go to waste!
Fruits and Vegetables
Trays of fresh produce with dips are a popular serve at gatherings, as well as cooked vegetable sides. A common way to use up leftover vegetable bulks is to whip up a wok full of fried rice, but a single repertoire only goes so far! This time around, try some creative variations with leftover fruits and veggies.
For longer and easier storage, freeze each serving of greens and sliced fruit in sealable plastic bags to make grab-and-go smoothie packs. They make such quick and easy breakfasts, requiring just a couple minutes of blending in water or milk! Some popular combinations include lettuce and berries; spinach, mango, and banana; kale, pineapple, and coconut; or celery, green apple, and ginger.
Need something warmer? Here’s a recipe for a comforting vegetable pie, covered with puff pastry and cheese for extra richness.
Leftover Vegetable Pie [1]
A must-try for savoury pie enthusiasts! Feel free to add in some leftover protein, like roast meat or ham.
Ingredients (serves 5)
1 Tbsp. Borges Grapeseed Oil
5 servings of leftover vegetables (onion, carrot, asparagus, mushrooms, broccoli, peppers, peas, etc.), diced
3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 cups Borges Natura Walnut Drink
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp. dried mixed herbs
250g ready-rolled puff pastry
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pan, heat Borges Grapeseed Oil and cook the leftover vegetables until soft.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Mix in flour to form a roux. Pour in Borges Natura Walnut Drink a little at a time, stirring until smooth. Season with herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix in grated cheese until completely melted.
- Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked vegetables and transfer to a baking dish. Preheat the oven to 190°C.
- Place the ready-rolled puff pastry on top of the baking dish, with the edges draping over the edges. Cut a ventilation hole at the centre and seal around the edges using a fork. Lightly brush the top with Borges Natura Walnut Drink and some grated parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and puffed up.
Meat
A juicy slab of roast meat or steak is the highlight of holiday dinners, but what about after the feast? Cold roast slices dried up in the fridge, crumbly loafs, or rock-hardened pieces of reheated poultry may not be as appealing an appearance on post-holiday tables. But guess what, they’re still the main star in this pasta dish, brought back to life with a sauce so rich and creamy but lactose-free!
Creamy Penne with Mushroom and Leftover Meat Roast [2]
Any kind of cooked meat is great for this dish, including chicken, turkey, beef, or pork. Up the game by throwing in some additional leftover vegetables as well.
Ingredients (serves 4)
350g leftover roasted meat
1 Tbsp. Borges Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup Borges Natura Almond Drink
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour or cornstarch
½ onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
300g mushrooms, sliced
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, to taste
Instructions
- Heat Borges Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a skillet. And saute the onion until translucent. Add garlic and saute for an additional minute.
- Stir in mushrooms with a little more oil and cook until tender.
- Pour in Borges Natura Almond Drink and lower the heat. Whisk in flour or cornstarch for the sauce to thicken, and simmer until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Mix in sun-dried tomatoes, and season with salt, pepper, and parsley.
- Cook Borges Durum Wheat Penne in boiling salted water, until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and stir into the sauce. Add sliced leftover meat and heat for about 1 minute. Serve immediately.
Chips and Snacks
Sure, chips can go back in their plastic bags and stored sealed after the party, but their crispness begins to deteriorate fast once the bags are opened—and by fast we mean in a snap. If large bulks of chips are sitting around in the kitchen, consider bringing them to the countertop to add into cooked dishes.
Leftover Potato Chip Frittata [3]
Chips for breakfast?! Trust us—kettle-cooked potato chips make this Spanish baked omelette so much tastier and crunchier. Feel free to colour-up the recipe with broccoli, mushrooms, or bell pepper.
Ingredients (serves 4-6)
2 Tbsp. Borges Extra Light Olive Oil
1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
6 eggs
3 Tbsp. Borges Natura Almond Drink
⅓ cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, basil, thyme, chives, rosemary)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup grated mozzarella or provolone cheese
2 ½ cups leftover potato chips
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Heat Borges Extra Light Olive Oil in an oven safe skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in the onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the onions are caramelised, for about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat.
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, Borges Natura Almond Drink, garlic, herbs, cheese, and caramelized onions. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in leftover potato chips.
- Pour the mixture into the same skillet used for caramelising the onions. Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the eggs are set.
- Serve in squares or wedges.
Drinks and Soda
Serving lemonades, punches, and cocktails in gatherings yields a large bottle or two of sweet carbonated drinks. If drinking soda as-is sounds tiresome, try splashing some into cake mixes for a “shortcut” to making moist and fluffy cakes! Coke with chocolate cake mix or Sprite with white cake mix are popular combinations [4].
For those who aren’t in for a sweet tooth, let us introduce a fantastic tweak to a Cantonese dinner favourite, using leftover coke as a “shortcut” for a braised chicken wing sauce.
Braised Coke Chicken Wings [5]
Carbonated drinks and soda are popular meat marinades, known for their ability to tenderise and sweeten the meat [6]. But try this: cooking chicken in a coke-infused soy sauce makes a finger-licking alternative to barbeques!
Ingredients (serves 4)
2 Tbsp. Borges Grapeseed Oil
16 chicken wings
2 dried chili pepper
½ scallion or green onion, chopped
3 ginger slices
2 Tbsp. light soy sauce
2 Tbsp. Shaoxing wine (or cooking wine)
1 can (350mL) coke
1 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Heat Borges Grapeseed Oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add chicken wings, skin side down, and grill until each side turns golden brown (3 to 4 minutes each). Set the wings aside.
- Heat a wok over medium-high, and coat the lower third with Borges Grapeseed Oil.
- Lower the heat to medium, and cook chili pepper until dark. Stir in scallions and ginger and cook until fragrant. Mix in light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and coke.
- Add chicken wings, stirring to coat each side with the sauce. One the sauce starts to boil, lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat the wings evenly and to avoid burning. Season with salt.
- Once the sauce is thick and has reduced to ⅓ the original amount, turn off the heat and serve the wings with a garnish of cilantro or green onion.
With the new year comes an exciting wave of refreshment, and our fridges deserve one too! Open this January with a makeover, by clearing the old bits out and filling their place with the new—or better yet, the renewed.
References:
[1] Recipe adapted from: https://www.easycheesyvegetarian.com/cheesy-vegetable-pie/
[2] Recipe adapted from: https://sundaysuppermovement.com/creamy-penne-pasta-sliced-prime-rib/
[3] Recipe adapted from: https://www.howsweeteats.com/2020/07/potato-chip-frittata/
[4] https://www.allrecipes.com/article/soda-cake-mix/
[5] Recipe adapted from: https://omnivorescookbook.com/braised-coca-cola-chicken-wings/
[6] https://www.livestrong.com/article/549173-how-soda-affects-meat/
Ah, the holidays were fun, 2021 is a step behind us, and before us awaits a fresh new year… along with a ton of leftover food! Whether from cozy family dinners or full-on guest parties, there are always leftovers—and they’re such a hassle to deal with.
Are your post-holiday leftovers sitting in the fridge, rolled up in plastic wraps, waiting to be thrown into the bin? Well, now’s the time to take them out. And get some Borges cooking oils in hand—we’ve brought here some fun and creative recipes for using up those leftovers and not letting a single bit go to waste!
Fruits and Vegetables
Trays of fresh produce with dips are a popular serve at gatherings, as well as cooked vegetable sides. A common way to use up leftover vegetable bulks is to whip up a wok full of fried rice, but a single repertoire only goes so far! This time around, try some creative variations with leftover fruits and veggies.
For longer and easier storage, freeze each serving of greens and sliced fruit in sealable plastic bags to make grab-and-go smoothie packs. They make such quick and easy breakfasts, requiring just a couple minutes of blending in water or milk! Some popular combinations include lettuce and berries; spinach, mango, and banana; kale, pineapple, and coconut; or celery, green apple, and ginger.
Need something warmer? Here’s a recipe for a comforting vegetable pie, covered with puff pastry and cheese for extra richness.
Leftover Vegetable Pie [1]
A must-try for savoury pie enthusiasts! Feel free to add in some leftover protein, like roast meat or ham.
Ingredients (serves 5)
1 Tbsp. Borges Grapeseed Oil
5 servings of leftover vegetables (onion, carrot, asparagus, mushrooms, broccoli, peppers, peas, etc.), diced
3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 cups Borges Natura Walnut Drink
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 Tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp. dried mixed herbs
250g ready-rolled puff pastry
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large pan, heat Borges Grapeseed Oil and cook the leftover vegetables until soft.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Mix in flour to form a roux. Pour in Borges Natura Walnut Drink a little at a time, stirring until smooth. Season with herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix in grated cheese until completely melted.
- Combine the cheese sauce with the cooked vegetables and transfer to a baking dish. Preheat the oven to 190°C.
- Place the ready-rolled puff pastry on top of the baking dish, with the edges draping over the edges. Cut a ventilation hole at the centre and seal around the edges using a fork. Lightly brush the top with Borges Natura Walnut Drink and some grated parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and puffed up.
Meat
A juicy slab of roast meat or steak is the highlight of holiday dinners, but what about after the feast? Cold roast slices dried up in the fridge, crumbly loafs, or rock-hardened pieces of reheated poultry may not be as appealing an appearance on post-holiday tables. But guess what, they’re still the main star in this pasta dish, brought back to life with a sauce so rich and creamy but lactose-free!
Creamy Penne with Mushroom and Leftover Meat Roast [2]
Any kind of cooked meat is great for this dish, including chicken, turkey, beef, or pork. Up the game by throwing in some additional leftover vegetables as well.
Ingredients (serves 4)
350g leftover roasted meat
1 Tbsp. Borges Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 cup Borges Natura Almond Drink
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour or cornstarch
½ onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
300g mushrooms, sliced
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, to taste
Instructions
- Heat Borges Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil in a skillet. And saute the onion until translucent. Add garlic and saute for an additional minute.
- Stir in mushrooms with a little more oil and cook until tender.
- Pour in Borges Natura Almond Drink and lower the heat. Whisk in flour or cornstarch for the sauce to thicken, and simmer until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Mix in sun-dried tomatoes, and season with salt, pepper, and parsley.
- Cook Borges Durum Wheat Penne in boiling salted water, until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and stir into the sauce. Add sliced leftover meat and heat for about 1 minute. Serve immediately.
Chips and Snacks
Sure, chips can go back in their plastic bags and stored sealed after the party, but their crispness begins to deteriorate fast once the bags are opened—and by fast we mean in a snap. If large bulks of chips are sitting around in the kitchen, consider bringing them to the countertop to add into cooked dishes.
Leftover Potato Chip Frittata [3]
Chips for breakfast?! Trust us—kettle-cooked potato chips make this Spanish baked omelette so much tastier and crunchier. Feel free to colour-up the recipe with broccoli, mushrooms, or bell pepper.
Ingredients (serves 4-6)
2 Tbsp. Borges Extra Light Olive Oil
1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
6 eggs
3 Tbsp. Borges Natura Almond Drink
⅓ cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, basil, thyme, chives, rosemary)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup grated mozzarella or provolone cheese
2 ½ cups leftover potato chips
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Heat Borges Extra Light Olive Oil in an oven safe skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in the onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the onions are caramelised, for about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat.
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, Borges Natura Almond Drink, garlic, herbs, cheese, and caramelized onions. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in leftover potato chips.
- Pour the mixture into the same skillet used for caramelising the onions. Place in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the eggs are set.
- Serve in squares or wedges.
Drinks and Soda
Serving lemonades, punches, and cocktails in gatherings yields a large bottle or two of sweet carbonated drinks. If drinking soda as-is sounds tiresome, try splashing some into cake mixes for a “shortcut” to making moist and fluffy cakes! Coke with chocolate cake mix or Sprite with white cake mix are popular combinations [4].
For those who aren’t in for a sweet tooth, let us introduce a fantastic tweak to a Cantonese dinner favourite, using leftover coke as a “shortcut” for a braised chicken wing sauce.
Braised Coke Chicken Wings [5]
Carbonated drinks and soda are popular meat marinades, known for their ability to tenderise and sweeten the meat [6]. But try this: cooking chicken in a coke-infused soy sauce makes a finger-licking alternative to barbeques!
Ingredients (serves 4)
2 Tbsp. Borges Grapeseed Oil
16 chicken wings
2 dried chili pepper
½ scallion or green onion, chopped
3 ginger slices
2 Tbsp. light soy sauce
2 Tbsp. Shaoxing wine (or cooking wine)
1 can (350mL) coke
1 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Heat Borges Grapeseed Oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add chicken wings, skin side down, and grill until each side turns golden brown (3 to 4 minutes each). Set the wings aside.
- Heat a wok over medium-high, and coat the lower third with Borges Grapeseed Oil.
- Lower the heat to medium, and cook chili pepper until dark. Stir in scallions and ginger and cook until fragrant. Mix in light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and coke.
- Add chicken wings, stirring to coat each side with the sauce. One the sauce starts to boil, lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat the wings evenly and to avoid burning. Season with salt.
- Once the sauce is thick and has reduced to ⅓ the original amount, turn off the heat and serve the wings with a garnish of cilantro or green onion.
With the new year comes an exciting wave of refreshment, and our fridges deserve one too! Open this January with a makeover, by clearing the old bits out and filling their place with the new—or better yet, the renewed.
References:
[1] Recipe adapted from: https://www.easycheesyvegetarian.com/cheesy-vegetable-pie/
[2] Recipe adapted from: https://sundaysuppermovement.com/creamy-penne-pasta-sliced-prime-rib/
[3] Recipe adapted from: https://www.howsweeteats.com/2020/07/potato-chip-frittata/
[4] https://www.allrecipes.com/article/soda-cake-mix/
[5] Recipe adapted from: https://omnivorescookbook.com/braised-coca-cola-chicken-wings/
[6] https://www.livestrong.com/article/549173-how-soda-affects-meat/