Make use of festive leftovers

IT’S A very busy time in the kitchen so don’t forget a big hug for the cook. By now most people will have planned their menu for the festive season. Let’s hope the lesson learned from the excesses of the Celtic Tiger era will mean that fewer people will totter out of the supermarket with trolleys piled high as though the shops were never to open again.

I’m just as guilty as anyone else, I always seem to over estimate what I’ll need and succumb to spontaneous invitations which are too tempting to resist. The result of changing plans is that my fridge and pantry overflow with the ingredients from cancelled meals. Lots of friends seem to be in a similar situation and there are regular conversations, and even arguments on the lines of, “you are so kind but please, please can you come over to our place instead and eat up the remains of the ….”

There are unquestionably people in dire straits and hungry this Christmas, so one can’t help feeling guilty if even a scrap of food is wasted. St Vincent de Paul, Simon and Quaker Penny Dinner are all delighted to hear from anyone who has food, or clothes, or a myriad of other essentials to share.