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 Clever ways to use your Left Over Food

  Last Updated : Dec 12,2018






Left over recipes for the Indian Kitchen

Are you creative with your leftovers for the Indian kitchen? It is quite a challenge to recycle them in a way that your family does not figure out that they were served the same thing for the previous meal, or two meals ago!

How often have you opened the fridge to find leftovers sitting there staring up at you! Yes, of course, you can simply eat the same thing for the next meal, but that's no fun, really, is it?

When it comes to food, we've all been encouraged not to waste. And in keeping with this, the kinds of ingenious leftover-makeovers that we come up with are something else!

Chapattis magically turn into Quick Churma Ladoos, Dahiwali Roti, upmas and frankies; vegetables are reborn as stuffed parathas and cutlets.

Leftover Bread gives us crumbs and croutons, Crouton Salad,  French Toast. Every family has their own favourite leftover-makeover. 

Rice is one part of the meal that often just sits there after everyone's left. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could do more than tava pulao and jeera rice with it? Here are some interesting ways to perk up leftover rice - a total makeover! Try Rice Pakoda Kadhi and Carrot, Cucumber and Curd Rice.

Leftover Pasta can be used for Pasta Cheese Balls. Mix up the leftover pasta with cheese, herbs and a few other ingredients, coat it in batter and bread crumbs and deep-fry to make a crunchy snack with a soft interior, that will bowl you over with its fantastic texture and memorable flavour.

Watch your leftover idlis transform into a scrumptious delight as you toss them with crunchy onions, tangy tomatoes and peppy spice powders. The master stroke in this Spicy Tava Idli recipe is the use of pav bhaji masala

What a fun way to make use of leftover uttapas! The Uttapam Pizza is so tasty that your kids will want you to make this every time you make dosa batter. From onions and capsicum, to pizza sauce and cheese, the Uttapam Pizza has all the basic ingredients that go into your favourite pizza.

Use your leftover food wisely as you really want to minimise wastage in the kitchen and keep your home more eco firnedly.

left over recipes for the indian kitchen

1.  
 by Tarla Dalal
dahiwali roti recipe | curd roti | Gujarati dahi wali roti | Gujarati snack vaghareli rotli | left over roti recipe | with 21 amazing images. dahiwali roti recipe | curd roti | Gujarati dahi wali roti | Gujarati snack vaghareli rotli | left over roti recipe is a quick fix snack for hungry kids. Learn how to make curd roti. To make dahiwali roti, combine the curds with 1 cup of water in a deep bowl and mix well using whisk. Keep aside. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan and add the mustard seeds and urad dal. When the mustard seeds crackle, add the chapati pieces and sauté on a medium flame for a few seconds. Switch off the flame, add the curd-water mixture, turmeric powder, jaggery, chilli powder and salt. Switch on the flame, mix well and cook on a slow flame for 1 minute, while stirring continuously. Add the coriander, cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Serve immediately. A soup-style snack that you can prepare from leftover chapatis, Gujarati dahi wali roti is flavourful yet easy to prepare. You will surely enjoy the refreshing flavour of buttermilk, balanced well with jaggery, spice powders and an aromatic tempering. You will surely enjoy the perfect balance of sweet and spicy taste of this Gujarati snack vaghareli rotli. Serve it fresh with a peppy garnish of coriander. You can also try other recipes like Idli-Upma or Wagharelo Rotla. Tips for dahiwali roti. 1. The chapati pieces should not be very small, else the dish will turn lumpy. 2. Make sure that the curd-water mixture is whisked well, perhaps using a hand blender, so that there are no lumps to ruin the appearance and mouth-feel of this dish. 3. Also switch off the flame before adding the curd water mixture, so it does not split. 4. Chop the jaggery finely if possible, so it dissolves quickly. 5. It is also common to add coriander powder along with chilli powder. 6. Serving this dish immediately is very important. Enjoy dahiwali roti recipe | curd roti | Gujarati dahi wali roti | Gujarati snack vaghareli rotli | left over roti recipe | with step by step photos.
samosa kadhi chaat recipe | kadhi samosa chaat | samosa kadhi chaat with leftover samosas | with amazing 22 images. Traditionally, samosas are served with chutney or chole, but this samosa kadhi chaat recipe which is a personal favourite of mine, is a bit different. I have experimented serving kadhi samosa chaat with a coconut kadhi and to add some crunch to the dish, i have added chopped spring onions. This samosa kadhi chaat is a meal in itself! If you have samosas on hand try this recipe and I can bet you will definitely love it. The samosa kadhi chaat is a quick veg snack, made by topping smashed samosas with coconut kadhi and chutney. A little bit of coriander go a long way in boosting the taste and texture of this samosa kadhi chaat. This samosa kadhi chaat is totally irresistible. Hot samosas topped with an innovative coconut kadhi, khajur imli ki chutney and green chutney. This spicy samosa kadhi chaat is an any-timer, perfect for rainy evenings as well as hot summer afternoons. The coconut kadhi uses coconut milk which is the liquid extracted with water from the coconut flesh. Coconut milk is now available in tetrapacks at grocery stores, so you need not go through the effort of extracting it! You can also use nylon sev for garnishing. Coconut kadhi uses basic and minimum of ingredients and can be prepared in a jiffy. If you can grab a few samosas from a nearby store, then this evening snack will make a pleasant surprise for the whole family! Kadhi samosa chaat is totally awesome, and sure to make tea-time very special. You can also serve quick kadhi samosa chaat at parties because it is easy and quick to make. Learn to make samosa kadhi chaat recipe | kadhi samosa chaat | samosa kadhi chaat with leftover samosas | with detailed step by step photos below.
carrot cucumber curd rice recipe | South Indian cucumber carrot curd rice | Indian curd rice with carrot | with 24 amazing images. carrot cucumber curd rice recipe | South Indian cucumber carrot curd rice | Indian curd rice with carrot with is a super tasty meal made with most common ingredients. Learn how to make South Indian cucumber carrot curd rice. To make carrot cucumber curd rice, put the rice in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher till smooth. Add the curds, milk, cucumber, carrots, coriander and salt and mix well. Keep aside. Heat the oil in a small pan and add the mustard seeds. When the seeds crackle, add the urad dal, red chillies and asafoetida and sauté for a few seconds. Pour this tempering over the rice mixture and mix well. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serve chilled. Traditional South Indian fare, and a favourite especially with Tamil Brahmins, the Indian curd rice with carrot is a frequent choice for the ‘tiffin box’! Despite the use of simple and most commonly available ingredients, it has a fantastic flavour mainly due to the teamwork of curd with veggies, and a soothing texture due to the addition of milk. It is really a refreshing dish to prepare on hot summer days to complement a meal of roti and sabzi. You will be surprised to see the value-add that the simple tempering imparts to this easy preparation. South Indian cucumber carrot curd rice can be had chilled at home, or packed in a box for lunch. Also do try other exciting South Indian rice dishes like Bisi Bele Bhaat , Chitrana Rice and Sundal Rice. Tips to make carrot cucumber curd rice. 1. Always use curd that is fresh and not sour. 2. Leftover rice is best used for this recipe. 3. You can also add curry leaves in tempering. Enjoy carrot cucumber curd rice recipe | South Indian cucumber carrot curd rice | Indian curd rice with carrot | with step by step photos.
4.  
 by Tarla Dalal
You can’t find a more exciting way to use leftover bread. Turn them into enticingly crisp bread croutons and toss them up with succulent paneer cubes, peppy spring onions and crisp lettuce. Nothing dresses this up as beautifully as a mixture of cheese, olives and cream. You will love the tangy flavour and exciting contrast of textures in this Crouton Salad. An excellent accompaniment with a bowl of Macaroni Soup and Crispy Bread .
5.  
 by Tarla Dalal
uttapam pizza recipe | tava uttapam pizza recipe | uttapam pizza with dosa batter | vegetable uttapam pizza recipe | with 11 amazing images. Our easy uttapam pizza recipe is made with dosa batter and hence called uttapam pizza with dosa batter. Aside from cheese, pizza sauce, we have added onion and capsicum to this vegetable uttapam pizza. What a fun way to make use of leftover uttapas ! The uttapam pizza is so tasty that your kids will want you to make this every time you make dosa batter. From onions and capsicum, to pizza sauce and cheese, the uttapam pizza has all the basic ingredients that go into your favourite pizza. Put on your creative caps and make the uttapam pizza just the way you want to. Throw in your choice of toppings from pineapples and sweet corn to olives, top it with your own combo of sauces and perhaps a sprinkling of tandoori masala or chaat masala too, and watch a humble uttapam magically transform into an exciting Farm Fresh Pizza or Tandoori Paneer Pizza. The best part is that you don’t even need an oven to prepare this. Notes and important tips on uttapam pizza recipe. 1. We are using readymade dosa batter. Check the batter for salt and consistency and adjust by adding a little salt and water as per the requirement. If using leftover batter stored in the fridge then bring it to room temperature and then make uttapam. Make sure the uttapam is not very thick or thin. 2. Cook the uttapam on both sides till light brown in color. Press it lightly while cooking from both sides. Do not cook until golden brown as we are going to cook it again. 3. Put 2 tbsp of pizza sauce over it and spread it evenly. Even that is available in the market in packaged form but, if you want to make homemade pizza sauce then check out this recipe of Quick Pizza Sauce or Italian Pizza Sauce. Jain people can refer to this recipe of Jain Pizza Sauce. Uttapas Stuffed with Green Peas Tricolour Uttapam and Sandwich Uttapa are other exciting ways to make uttapas. Learn to make uttapam pizza recipe | tava uttapam pizza recipe | uttapam pizza with dosa batter | vegetable uttapam pizza recipe | with step by step photos and video below.
6.  
 by Tarla Dalal
You would never have thought that leftover bread can turn into such an exotic treat! Watch the magic unfurl, as simple bread slices transform into crisp, buttery cups that can hold a mouth-wateringly cheesy mixture of juicy corn, tangy tomatoes and crunchy veggies. You can prepare the bread cups earlier, but prepare the stuffing and assemble the Baked Corn and Tomato Bread Cups just before serving, to enjoy the cheesy texture of the filling before it turns chewy. These dainty bread cups can be served as Evening Tea Snacks or as Starters / Snacks at any Party .
7.  
 by Tarla Dalal
pasta cheese balls recipe | pasta balls Indian starter | cheesy party snack | cheese pasta balls kids recipe | with 22 amazing images. pasta cheese balls recipe | pasta balls Indian starter | cheesy party snack | cheese pasta balls kids recipe is a tempting starter with pasta and cheese as its main ingredient and thus devoured by kids and adults alike. Learn how to make pasta balls Indian starter. To make pasta cheese balls, heat the butter in a broad non-stick pan, add the plain flour and sauté on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the milk, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 6 to 7 minutes or till the mixture leaves the sides of the pan and resembles a thick sauce, while stirring continuously using a whisk. Transfer the mixture into a deep bowl and keep aside to cool completely. Add the pasta, cheese, coriander, celery, green chillies and salt and mix well. Divide the mixture into 11 equal portions and shape each portion into small rounds. Dip the balls in the plain flour mixture and roll them in bread crumbs till they are evenly coated from all the sides. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick kadhai, and deep-fry a few balls at a time on a medium flame, till they turn golden brown in colour from all the sides. Drain on an absorbent paper. Serve immediately with tomato ketchup or chilli sauce. Oops? Stranded with some leftover boiled Pastas ? Here is how to turn it into an aromatic, herby delicacy. Make a cheesy party snack. These are flavoured with coriander, celery and green chillies which are coated with bread crumbs to get the perfect crispiness you look forward to in a starter recipe. Mix up the leftover pasta with cheese, herbs and a few other ingredients, coat it in batter and bread crumbs and deep-fry to make a crunchy snack with a soft interior, that will bowl you over with its fantastic texture and memorable flavour. These melt-in-mouth pasta balls Indian starter will never melt in your memory is our guarantee. Cheese pasta balls kids recipe can be served as Evening Tea Snacks, After School Treats, High Tea Party and Cocktail Party. Make them for kids playdate or birthday parties, it is sure to be finished as soon as you make and serve them. A soup and herbed pizza strips would make a good meal for kids. Tips for pasta cheese balls. 1.We have used fusilli in this recipe, but you can use any pasta of your choice. 2. Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying the cheese balls. Also do not use too much oil for frying, as the oil tends to turn black due to the use of bread crumbs after frying. 3. Make sure you serve the Pasta Cheese Balls immediately after preparation to avoid the chewiness that takes over when molten cheese cools down. Learn to make pasta cheese balls recipe | pasta balls Indian starter | cheesy party snack | cheese pasta balls kids recipe | with step by step photos below.
8.  
 by Tarla Dalal
A thoughtful way to make use of leftover rice, and a brilliant idea to transform simple kadhi into a classic special dish! Mixing in some spice powders, shaping into balls and deep-frying converts leftover rice into scrumptious pakodas, which are a wonderful value-add to traditional curd-based kadhi. The mellow, spice-laced flavour of the pakode and its exciting texture contrast beautifully with the tangy flavour and rich texture of the kadhi making them a winning team. Serve the Rice Pakoda Kadhi hot, with an aromatic garnish of coriander. This delectable dish makes a good accompaniment to Vegetable Pulao or Vagharela Bhaat ( Gujarati Recipe) .
9.  
 by Tarla Dalal
quick churma ladoo recipe | instant cashew jaggery ladoo made with roti | dry fruit churma ladoo | with 32 amazing images. quick churma ladoo recipe | instant cashew jaggery ladoo made with roti | dry fruit churma ladoo is a traditional Gujarati mithai. Learn how to make dry fruit churma ladoo. To make quick churma ladoo, tear the rotis into pieces and blend it in a mixer to a coarse mixture. Keep aside. Heat the ghee in a broad non-stick pan, add the cashewnuts and sauté on a medium flame for 1 minute or till they are light brown in colour. Switch off the flame, add the jaggery and keep stirring it continuously till the jaggery melts completely. Add the chapatti mixture and cardamom powder and mix well. Keep aside to cool slightly for 2 minutes. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and shape each portion into a round ladoo by rolling them in between your palms. Use as required. Preparing churma is usually a time consuming process, which requires a long cooking procedure to eliminate the raw smell of the flour and get a rich aroma. Here is a really unique quick-fix, which involves powdering leftover rotis and using that coarse powder along with jaggery, ghee and nuts to prepare really delicious quick churma ladoo. The effort that goes into this instant cashew jaggery ladoo made with roti is really meagre compared to its rich and irresistible flavour and aroma! Store this mithai in a dry and airtight container in the refrigerator for 7 days and relish to satisfy your sweet tooth. An interesting variation is dry fruit churma ladoo which is richer in texture, flavour and aroma because of the use of almonds, pistachios and walnuts. Make them for auspicious occasions, weddings and Indian festivals. It is a sweet which kids and adults look forward to enjoying. Tips for quick churma ladoo. 1. Switch off the flame, add 3 tbsp grated jaggery (gur). NOTE : You can add 4 tbsp of jaggery if you prefer sweeter ladoos. 2. Store in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 7 days. 3. You can use 1 tablespoon coconut oil instead of ghee. Enjoy quick churma ladoo recipe | instant cashew jaggery ladoo made with roti | dry fruit churma ladoo | with step by step photos.
spicy tava idli | restaurant style tava idli | tawa idli recipe | spicy tava idli made with left over idlis | with 20 amazing images. spicy tava idli is a popular restaurant style tava idli. Simple to make spicy tava idli with leftover idlis cooked on a tawa with Indian spices, vegetables and some butter. We have used onions and tomatoes but you can put capsicums or any vegetable you like. We love to have spicy tava idli made with left over idlis with some coconut chutney to offset the spices from the idli. Notes on and tips on tava idli recipe. 1. Butter gives a really nice flavor to the spicy tava idlis so make sure you use butter. 2. Add 2 tbsp of water so that it’s not very dry and salt to season. Water will prevent the masalas from sticking to the pan. 3. Spicy tava idli is similar to masala pav, just that we replace bread cubes with idli cubes. 4. The best results are achievable using cold idlis so, if you have idlis left from breakfast or dinner then you can transform them into tongue-tickling spicy tava idli. The master stroke in this spicy tava idli is the use of pav bhaji masala which gives it a chaat like taste. Serve spicy tava idli immediately. Learn to make spicy tava idli | restaurant style tava idli | tawa idli recipe | spicy tava idli made with left over idlis | with step by step photos and video below.
11.  
 by Tarla Dalal
eggless French toast recipe | Indian style French toast without eggs | custard French toast | with 10 amazing images. Make your mornings special with these Eggless French Toast which get done in 30 minutes or less! Learn how to make eggless French toast recipe | Indian style French toast without eggs | custard French toast | These Indian style French toast without eggs taste just like your favourite French toast with crispy crust and soft and fluffy centre but made without eggs. It is basically bread that is dipped in custard mixture instead of traditional egg based batter then cooked in butter and drizzled with maple syrup. This vegetarian version is nothing short of a taste of heaven! Next comes the choice of bread. While you can use any type of bread – BrownBread, multigrain bread, brioche or even Sandwich Bread – make sure to use thick slices of a few days old bread. A thick slice will avoid the toast from turning soggy after frying. These custard French toast taste just fab with a drizzle of some maple syrup or honey, or topped with some fruits, berries or both. You can even pair this eggless French Toast with milk, tea or coffee for that perfect American breakfast. pro tips to make eggless French toast recipe: 1. Make sure to use thick bread slices, it gives a hearty texture. 2. Ensure the bread is evenly coated in the batter but not overly soaked. Let excess batter drip off: This prevents soggy French toast. 3. Use whole wheat flour or gluten-free bread for a healthier option. Enjoy eggless French toast recipe | Indian style French toast without eggs | custard French toast | with detailed step by step photos.
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Reviews

South Indian Rice
5
 on 25 Aug 18 08:41 PM


South Indian Rice
4
 on 16 Aug 18 06:33 PM


Rice
5
 on 03 Mar 17 05:46 PM


Hamare Ghar roz ka Khana thoda zada baNTA hai Issi liye Bach bhi jata hai. ABB se leftover khane se breakfast ya next day ka behtareen lunch bana sakte hai. Great recipes ideas shared. Thanks!!!!
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Tarla Dalal    Thanks Ramesh for the feedback.
Reply
22 Jun 17 05:55 PM