In my book, there’s nothing more delicious than an Easter Brunch and lunch. Bring on the ham with pineapple, bring on the deviled eggs. Hawaiian rolls? Yes, please. Breakfast casserole? Amazing. Fresh strawberries on an angel food cake? Divine.
But at the end of any celebration, Easter leftovers abound. And if we’re not careful those delectable seasonal favorites can go bad before we get the chance to reheat and eat them. Stretch your Easter Savings further with these simple tips.
Clear the Table
While we all love lingering around the table to catch up with our family, friends, and neighbors, it’s wise not to leave your leftovers out unheated for more than a couple of hours. Bacteria begins to grow after that time period so you’ll want to pack up things before it hits. The most susceptible foods include anything perishable like meats, eggs, and casseroles.
Select Your Storage Containers Well
Be sure you have airtight storage for your leftovers. If you don’t seal things well, they’ll dry out and could even go bad before you get the chance to eat them. You don’t have to buy anything fancy, but you do need some solid containers with well fitting lids. If you’re hosting a large family group, you may want to consider some divided containers so you can put together a quick lunch.
Put Paper Towels In With Fresh Produce
Have leftover berries or a veggie tray? When you get ready to store them, slip a folded paper towel in your airtight containers. This will help draw potential moisture from the berries and veggies like cucumbers or cut peppers. And when you do that, you extend their freshness. For more ways to make your produce last longer, check out How to Keep Fruits and Veggies Fresh For Longer.
Use Your Freezer Well
While amazing reheated for a meal or maybe even two, the novelty of leftovers wears off quickly. And while you should especially repurpose large meats well (we’ll get to that in a minute), it’s smart to freeze some of your leftovers. You could choose to do this by dish or even prepare your own version of a freezer meal and place items of similar density together in a freezer safe dish to be reheated in a microwave for lunch at work. This handy chart helps you know what you can freeze and can’t. And how long items will still be good in both the fridge and the freezer.
Create a Repurposed Meal Plan
Large cuts of holiday meats lend themselves to a variety of meals. Rather than simply turning everything into sandwiches, consider incorporating the main dish into a variety of options throughout the week. Ham features well in soups, egg casseroles, on top of pizzas, and in a chef salad. Turkey can be made into a pasta dish, enchiladas, pot pie, and in soups and salads, too. A word of warning from my own experience: Don’t go overboard. My family still speaks with less than fondness of what we referred to as Ham Week a few years ago. You may want to toss in some variety and use the freezer, too.
Here are some great recipe links for ideas!
- The Pioneer Woman Easter Leftovers
- 25 Ways to Reinvent Your Easter Leftovers from the Food Network
- 3 Healthy Dishes to Make With Easter Leftovers
Freeze Candy or Give It Away
Candy features prevalently in almost every holiday. Most of us probably don’t need to eat every piece we purchase. After a day or two of celebration, it’s wise to freeze some of the candy. Or better yet, create a small bag of treats for a neighbor or friend to brighten their day.
Or you can think about making one of these Easter Candy desserts:
Don’t let your leftovers go to waste. Using smart strategies you can feast for days to come and share the meal beyond a day with those you love. No matter the holiday, make your celebration last.
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