Ways to Repurpose Leftovers: recipes and ideas that are both simple and creative.

No one likes to eat the exact same meal multiple times in a row. If you put your thinking cap on, you can turn those leftovers from a burden into a delicious opportunity.

1. Chicken

While most people complain about leftover chicken, we love it to the point that we actually batch cook it in our meal prep and use it throughout the week! Why? Simply because this meat is so easy to repurpose into an entirely different meal. All it takes is a little inspiration.

Salad: Leftover chicken is a wonderful addition to your green salad. Not only does it add protein and great nutritional value (enough to turn a salad from a side dish to a main meal), mix in your favorite salad dressing and mixed textures and flavors of fresh vegetables to hide the fact that this is actually the same leftover chicken that no one would have eaten 10 minutes ago.

Sandwiches: Do you want to know our secret to transform leftover chicken into an irresistible sandwich? Add Puck Shredded Creamy Mozzarella Cheese, lots of it, with toasted bread. It will make you forget that the chicken in the sandwich is not freshly cooked.

Chicken pot pie: If it is a main meal that you're after, try using your leftover chicken in a pot pie in order to prepare a meal in less than half the time required to prepare it from scratch. All you need is: leftover chicken, your favorite vegetables, Puck Tomato Sauce with Cream, Puff pastry sheets and 30 minutes. Start by mixing the vegetables with the sauce and then move it to a baking tray. Spread the puff pastry sheets on the tray and cut it to your preferred shape, then arrange the vegetable mixture on top and bake it in a hot oven

Pizza: Slice up your leftover chicken or cut in into cubes and use it as a topping for your homemade pizza topped with pasta sauce and a lot of Puck Shredded Creamy Mozzarella Cheese. This is a great, quick, and easy option for Suhoor.

Soup: A great place to use up leftover chicken is in soups, add your favorite vegetables, chopped chicken and Puck cooking cream, and your hug-in-a-bowl is on its way!

Fried rice: When you don't have enough leftover chicken to make a meal on its own, try making fried rice (bonus points if you also use leftover rice).

Mac and cheese: Puck Four Cheese Sauce + pasta + leftover chicken = the ultimate mac and cheese. A simple equation that takes less than 15 minutes to solve. Dinner is served.

2. Vegetables

You go shopping, fill your cart with fresh and colorful veggies and feel good about yourself. Then you get home, stash them in the fridge and forget about them until they meet their sad and slimy end.

Does this scenario sound familiar? Well, it is time to change it. Here are eight ways to use your vegetables and save them from that slimy end:

Frittata: Frittata is great for Suhoor. The mixture of eggs, cheese, and vegetables provides lots of nutritious and fibres that will give you energy throughout the day while fasting. All you have to do is beat the eggs with a bit of Puck Cooking Cream to add a soft texture and a rich taste, then add your favourite herbs and vegetables such as mushrooms, broccoli, or anything colorful. Move the mixture to a baking tray that was greased with oil then cover it with Puck Shredded Creamy Mozzarella Cheese, and serve.

Sauces: We often get confused about how to deal with leftover vegetables. Try putting some of the leftover cooked vegetables in a blender to make a paste rich in flavor, and then use that paste with Puck Cooking Cream to create your signature pasta sauce or you can even try adding hummus to it. Have you ever tried Roasted Red Pepper Hummus?

Pasta: Pasta is a quick and easy option to use up leftover vegetables whether you use them in cold pasta salad or in hot dishes. Choose your sauce wisely. You have 4 options for the Ready to Use Puck sauces that enable you to mix colors and flavors in endless possibilities.

Vegetable Stock: Instead of using water to prepare soup, you can prepare your own vegetable stock. It is a lot easier than you think. All you have to do is gather your leftover rotting vegetables (you can also use vegetable peels and broccoli stalks) and add enough water to submerge them. Then add your favorite spices and let the mixture boil on low heat for a couple of hours (remember to keep checking on the water level every now and then). The result will be a natural stock that is rich in flavor that you can use to prepare soups or rice.

Soup: Soup is our go-to when we have some leftover veggies that we need to use up. Especially during Ramadan as it is one of the most loved dishes on our Ramadan tables. Making soup from leftover vegetables that are grilled or cooked is very easy. To make a delicious soup, sauté onions with a bit of olive oil and then add your vegetables with water or the vegetable stock that we prepared earlier. Then season the mixture with your preferred spices and a dash of Puck Cooking Cream. Finally, all you need to do is boil the ingredients and then puree them in a blender for a smooth and satisfying meal.

Stir fry: One of the easiest and fastest ways to recycle leftover vegetables. To transform your vegetables into a delicious meal, simply get your leftover vegetables, and mix them with some rice (or noodles depending on your preference). For an extra burst of flavor add some soy sauce, garlic, oil, and maybe even a dash of ginger. You can also add scrambled fried eggs if you like. To enhance the texture, sprinkle some peanuts or toasted cashew as a crunchy garnish. This approach is one of the simplest and quickest ways to recycle leftover vegetables into a delightful and satisfying dish.

Smoothies: This one might be the boldest option in the list, but we assure you it works! All sorts of vegetables are great in smoothies and can blend right in. Raw salad greens, avocado, and even cooked vegetables like carrots, winter squash, beets, and more can be added, and no one will be the wiser.

Puck tip: To make sure the recipe is a success, be sure to add enough sweet fruit like berries and bananas so that it doesn’t end up tasting like a veggie smoothie.

Pickles: Transforming your vegetables into mouth-watering pickles is a great way to extend their lifespan and add a zesty kick to your meals. With just a handful of ingredients - salt, water, and vinegar - and 15 minutes of your time, you can create your own handmade pickles that are busting with flavor. Simply arrange your favorite vegetables in a jar, pour in a mixture of water, salt, and vinegar, seal it up, and wait for the magic to happen. In just a week, you’ll have a delicious batch of pickles that are perfect for snacking, garnishing, or adding to your favorite dishes.

3. Bread

Toasted sandwiches: Don’t let your leftover bread go to waste! Why not transform it into a tasty toasted sandwich? For an extra burst of flavor, we recommend spreading some delicious pesto sauce and adding some sun-dried tomatoes. Then, top it all off with a generous amount of Puck Shredded Creamy Mozzarella Cheese – it’s the perfect finishing touch! Share with us your favorite toasted sandwich recipes.

Breadcrumbs: Why buy breadcrumbs when you can quickly make them at home? Start by preheating your oven to 150°C. Then, place slices of stale bread directly on a baking sheet and let them bake for 30 minutes. Once they are crispy and golden, transfer them to a blender or food processor and blend until the crumbs reach the desired size. Voila! You now have homemade breadcrumbs ready to use in your favorite recipes.

Croutons: Make your own deluxe bread topping for soups and salads with just a few simple steps. Start by cutting stale bread into bite-sized cubes, then arrange them on a baking sheet (bonus points if you add some garlic, herbs, olive oil, or create your own mixture) and leave them to bake in the oven at 150°C for 20 minutes. (Remember to flip them halfway through). The result? Crunchy, golden brown cubes that add a flavorful twist to any dish. Say goodbye to store-bought croutons and hello to your own homemade creation.

Crusty bread salad aka panzanella: This is a much-loved Italian bread salad that usually pairs ciabatta (but you can use any kind of stale bread really) with juicy tomatoes, red onions, olive oil, and basil. For those who want to add a boost of flavor to their panzanella salad, olives and bell peppers can make delightful additions. The bread soaks up all the wonderful juices and the result is a delicious salad booming with flavor! Treat yourself to this delectable and refreshing salad that's perfect for any season.

Savory bread pudding: To make this delicious dish, start by greasing a baking tray or casserole with oil or butter to prevent sticking. Then add several slices of bread in the dish. In a separate bowl, whisk together two eggs per slice of bread along with a splash of Puck Cooking Cream and your choice of savory flavorings such as onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, or cooked sausage (they are all great companions for this dish). Then pour the egg mixture right onto the bread, making sure it’s evenly distributed. Finally, top everything off with a generous layer of Puck Shredded Creamy Mozzarella Cheese, and bake in the oven until the edges are golden and irresistible and the center is cooked through. Serve hot and enjoy this delicious and comforting dish!

Quick pizza: Have you ever been in the mood for pizza, but haven't had the time nor the energy to make one from scratch? Well, use bread then simply top it with your favorite sauce, Puck Shredded Creamy Mozzarella Cheese then bake it. You can easily satisfy your pizza cravings by using bread as your base. Simply top the bread with your favorite sauce, generously sprinkle Puck Shredded Creamy Mozzarella Cheese on top, and pop it in the oven to bake. In no time, you'll have a delicious, hot and cheesy treat that satisfies you and your families cravings.

French Toast: When making french toast, stale bread is actually better than fresh. The dry bread soaks up the flavors and keeps its texture much better, preventing it from turning into mush at the mere mention of moisture!

French onion soup: Another great use of old, stale bread is to simply put it on top of a bowl of French onion soup. Top it with Puck Shredded Creamy Mozzarella Cheese and your favorite cheese blend and place it under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Yum!

Bruschetta. For a delightful appetizer or Suhoor, consider making a Bruschetta – a delicious and simple dish that consists of toasted bread with toppings. To prepare, all you have to do is coat slices of dry bread with olive oil, and bake them in the oven at approximately 150°C for a few minutes until crisp. Then, customize your bruschetta by adding your desired toppings. Our recommendation is to top the bread with freshly diced tomatoes, Puck Premium Feta Cheese, and a sprinkle of basil or mint for an irresistible combination of flavors.

4. Rice

You overestimated how much rice you'll need and now you have a ton left over. What do you do with it? It’s an absolute waste of time and money to throw out rice, so instead, we found some creative uses for it.

Freeze it: We will start with a simple suggestion. Just measure out the amount of rice you need for a specific recipe that you might make in the future, and then freeze that amount of rice in an appropriately labelled container.

Rice kibbeh: This wonderful Iraqi recipe also known as Aleppo Kibbeh uses rice instead of bulgur for the crust, which makes it gluten-free. The rice also makes the crust super crunchy and allows you to flavor it in any way that you like. Traditionally, turmeric and curry is added, but you can also add sumac, herbs, or different spice blends... Just let your creativity run wild. Reheat the remaining rice with some water, we used 5 cups of rice and 3 cups of water, the idea is to soften the rice to make it easier to knead. Then we add a cup of Puck Shredded Creamy Mozzarella Cheese, spices, 2 table spoons of corn starch then we knead the rice while it is still warm till a dough is formed. We cut the dough and stuff it with cooked minced beef that is mixed with nuts then it is shaped into the traditional kibbeh. Freeze the kibbeh for 30 minutes then fry it in hot oil. And the outcome? A burst of flavors! For those with a daring palate who want to experiment with unique flavors, try substituting minced beef with a blend of Puck Shredded Mozzarella & Cheddar Cheese Mix, olives, and nuts. Then just sit back and enjoy the praise and admiration of your guests.

Soup: Enhance the flavor, texture, and body of almost any soup by adding a cup or so of cooked rice. This budget-friendly trick helps stretch a pot of soup to feed a family and adds a thick, hearty texture. From chili to tortilla soups, vegetable soups to chicken noodle soups, and even lentil to broccoli cheese soups, rice can elevate the flavor profile of any soup.

Rice cakes: Transforming leftover rice into appetizing cakes is an effortless process. All you really have to do is take your leftover rice and season it however you’d like (soy sauce is a great choice, but you can also use herbs or your favorite spice blend). Next, add Puck Shredded Creamy Mozzarella Cheese, and a couple of whisked eggs to help bind the mixture together. Finally shape the rice into cakes and cook them in oil, either by baking or frying, and that's it. These make for a great, easy and convenient appetizer.

Rice lasagna: Looking for a gluten-free replacement for pasta in your lasagna recipes? Try using leftover rice! Mix the rice with Puck Shredded Creamy Mozzarella Cheese to add a boost of flavor and help it stick together. After that, spread half the rice mixture at the bottom of the tray followed by your favorite stuffing and another layer of rice with a generous amount of Puck Bechamel Sauce with Cheese, just as you would in a traditional lasagna recipe. Your gluten free guests will really thank you for this tasty dish.

Rice pudding: Rice pudding is a great way to use up all your leftover rice – and it’s a dessert that everyone loves, regardless of age. You can add a variety of spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, or dried fruits like raisins or others, to transform this simple dessert into a delicious dish. Even though you're using up leftover rice, with these additions, no one will suspect that you're simply repurposing leftovers.

Burritos: Mix leftover rice with beans and your favorite burrito filling and enjoy a quick, portable, and filling, meal that only takes a couple of minutes to prepare.

Mini sushi pizza: Shake up sushi night by creating a quick, unique and delicious crispy rice crust pizza infused with a blend of sushi flavors. Simply, mix your leftover rice with Puck Shredded Creamy Mozzarella Cheese and bake for a couple of minutes until the cheese melts and the rice sticks together. Then, top it with creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, green onion, and thinly sliced salmon. Indulge in an impressive appetizer that took next to no time to prepare!

With our complete guide on repurposing leftover food, you'll never have to waste food again. Our selection of simple and delicious recipes will ensure that every leftover ingredient can be transformed into a satisfying meal. Explore a lot more tips and tricks in our Puck articles, and discover how to make cooking and meal preparation more efficient and organized.