Got Leftover Vegetables? Give Them A Makeover And Prepare A Wholesome Meal

There always seems to be a pesky vegetable or two in the fridge that will guilt-trip you, each time you open food delivery apps. From a handful of bhindi, beans or even brinjal, there are different ways you can spruce them up and prepare a wholesome meal. You can easily combine the cooked vegetables with raw produce or non-vegetarian items and give them a makeover. In case you had batch-made veggies and have some leftovers that you simply cannot stomach, hold on, for we have some ideas on how you can give those a makeover and make them appetising. 

Stir Fries and Sauté 

If you have a lone carrot or some beans, or peas in your fridge – anything that is not slimy or watery – chop them up and set aside. Heat oil with some onion or garlic and some spices like jeera and toss them into a pan with some salt. Stir fry until roasted, and if you want a little gravy, toss in some sauces like soy, chilli or tomato and a little water and take it off the stove. You can enjoy your fresh veggie dish with roti or rice.

Also Read: How To Make Coconut Milk At Home?

Filling Fresh Salads

This works best with raw vegetables. Pick your assortment of leftover vegetables, dice, cube, or chop them up and combine them with some crunchy fresh greens, nuts, boiled eggs, meat or dry fruits. Whip up a salad dressing of your choice. You can go with something zingy (lemon juice, mustard, or pickle brine), Oriental (chilli oil, soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, garlic) or herby (mustard, mayonnaise, vinegar, salt, sugar and pepper), and you’ve got a hearty salad that’s anything but sad.

Frittatas, Omelettes, and Bhurjis

If you love eggs, here’s how you can give your leftover vegetables a makeover. Mix chopped leftovers into a bowl of whisked eggs and turn it into an omelette or frittata. Add cheese and sprinkle a few spices if you’re feeling indulgent. If you like egg bhurji, scramble the eggs. You can also add minced mushrooms, some chicken and cook the eggy veggies in herby butter for a wholesome and delicious weekend meal. This only works for uncooked vegetables, which will go well with the eggs and be a filling meal.

The Rice Magic

If you are bored with plain white rice all the time, use leftover vegetables from the fridge in fried rice, khichdi or pulao. Chop up whatever little is left and set aside as you prepare the rice. You can also consider making vegetable biryani if you have some time on your hands. Make sure to chop off any spoiled bits of the vegetables and salvage the rest for your rice. Add spices, some sauces and fried onions, and you will have a flavorful rice that goes well with curd, achaar, or great on its own.

Turn Them Into Bharta-Style Dishes

Got leftover dry veggies like aloo-gobhi, baingan fry, or mixed veg that makes you scrunch up your nose? Mash these up, sauté with onions, tomatoes, garlic, and green chillies, and turn them into a bharta dish. Use mustard oil or a bit of ghee for a full-bodied dish that is packed with flavour. You can also do this with dishes that aren’t as mushy, but you will need more handwork. Serve this bharta dish fresh with hot roti.

Give Them a Gravy Makeover

Dry sabzis like beans, carrots, or cabbage can be tossed into a simple onion-tomato gravy (or even a ready-made curry base they sell in pouches). Add a little cream or coconut milk, sprinkle in your choice of powder masalas, and add some water for a whole new dish that is a perfect accompaniment with rice. It will taste nothing like the leftovers you were dreading. Eat fresh to avoid mimicking the same drudgery of recycling this gravy as well, which spills over to the next day.