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George Carlin once said, "...A leftover. What a sad word that is. Leftover. How would you like to be...a leftover? Well, it wouldn't be bad if they were taking people out to be shot!"
Leftovers have long been made fun of, but today we are going to give them the respect that they deserve. Leftovers are a great way to save food, reduce your carbon footprint, save money, and save time. With that said, leftovers are only as good as the care that goes into their preparation, storage, and organization. A leftover doesn't do anybody any good if it sits in the refrigerator for weeks, until it needs to be thrown out anyway. Here are some tips to make the most of your leftovers, with a little help from the late comedian, George Carlin.
1. Don't Let Them Hang Out Too Long
Leftovers should be thought of as a time bomb. Every moment they are out of the fridge, their lifespan is compromised by nearly twice the rate. Make it a habit to properly wrap and store all leftover food within two hours of a meal (once they have cooled a bit in the food is warm). This will ensure their freshness the next time they're on the menu.
2. Organize for Safety
"Leftovers make you feel good twice," says George Carlin. "First, when you put it away, you feel thrifty and intelligent: I'm saving food! Then a month later when blue hair is growing out of the ham, and you throw it away, you feel really intelligent: I'm saving my life!" It is a good idea to keep leftovers labeled so that you know how long they have been in the refrigerator. Most leftovers have somewhere between three to five days before they begin to spoil, depending on what type of food. Fruits and vegetables should stay fresh for at least five days or more, while cooked meats should not be stored more than four days, unless placed in the freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit, where they can last for up to a year.
3. Proper Storage
Leftovers will keep the longest when stored properly. This means packaging them in an air-tight container and placing them inside a refrigerator set at no more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Leftovers are Happiest in Numbers
For large amounts of leftovers it is usually best to break them up into several shallow containers (two to three inches deep), rather than one large, deep container. Each container should have between two and three inches space between them to help the cold air circulate. This will help keep them freshest, the longest. Also, if you decide to freeze the leftovers, having several small portions will be more convenient for single servings.
5. The Smell and Sight Test
"Perhaps the worst thing that can happen is to reach into the refrigerator and come out with something that you cannot identify at all," says George Carlin. "You literally do not know what it is. Could be meat, could be cake. Usually, at a time like that, I'll bluff. Honey, is this good? Well, what is it? I don't know, I've never seen anything like it. It looks like... meatcake! Well, smell it. (snort, sniff) It has absolutely no smell whatsoever! (Then) it's good!" Yes, the smell and sight test is still one of the most popular methods to tell if a leftover is still good. Before reusing a leftover, be aware of any unpleasant odors or signs of mold.
6. Out of Sight, Out of Mind
One of the biggest problems with leftovers, is they get pushed further and further back into the refrigerator until they are forgotten. Keep the oldest leftovers closest to the front, and don't forget to plan ahead and schedule your weekly menu around them so that they can be used to their fullest potential.
7. Ensure They Get Used by Planning Creative Meals
One of the easiest ways to ensure a leftover gets eaten is to prepare a delicious meal with it. You can either create a similar meal as the original, or something completely different if you want to get creative.
8. When in Doubt, Throw it Out
"Do people do that with you? Offer you some food that if you don't eat it, they're only going to throw it away," says George Carlin. "Well, doesn't that make you feel dandy? Here's something to eat, Dave. Hurry up, it's spoiling! Something for you, Angela. Eat quickly, that green part is moving! Here, Bob. Eat this before I give it to an animal." If you are not quite sure if a leftover is still good, don't take the chance. Don't let feelings of guilt make you eat something you shouldn't. A spoiled leftover can make a person very sick. Don't even taste it if it is at all questionable, just throw it out! But using the tips above, you shouldn't have to resort to throwing out much at all!
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