What to do with leftover food from New Year's Eve?

Preparing a Media Noche feast is a symbolic way to attract good luck and prosperity in the year ahead.

It’s one of the holidays in the country when a typical Filipino family prepares a generous spread of “lucky” food, which usually includes pansit, kakanin, and different assortments of fruits.

But after the midnight celebration ushering in the New Year, what should you do with the leftovers?

Speaking to GMA News Online, chef Miggy Moreno of Michelin Bib Gourmand–recognized restaurants Cabel and Palm Grill said wasting food “should never be an option.”

“In case there are leftovers, the most basic and practical thing everyone can do is to reheat them for breakfast the next day,” he said.

Chef Miggy also recommended recreating leftovers into new dishes, citing ham as an example.

“Ham can be used in pasta dishes or pan-seared and paired with leftover rice turned into fried rice,” he said.

For leftover fruit salad, Chef Miggy suggested repurposing it into ice candy.

On the other hand, if there is simply too much leftover food that your family can’t finish in the coming days, Chef Miggy recommended distributing it to the homeless and less fortunate.

“After all, the season is meant for giving and sharing,” he said.

For Chef Ana Lorenzana De Ocampo, Wildflour’s CEO and president, she recommended repurposing roast turkey, beef, ham, or any meat into noodle soup.

“I love repurposing leftover roast turkey into noodle soup,” she said. “It’s just as comforting as chicken noodle soup, but with a broth that’s richer and more deeply flavored.”

Chef Ana also suggested dicing leftover meat and stir-frying it with garlic and rice for an “amazing recovery food.”

Meanwhile, The Westin Manila executive chef Rej Casanova reminded people to pay attention to food 

safety and the proper handling of leftover food.

Roasted meats such as ham, chicken, turkey, and pork are safe to keep if handled and stored properly, according to Chef Rej.

For cooked pasta, rice, stews, soups, and sauces, it’s best to refrigerate them promptly to extend shelf life.

“Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of service. Divide food into small, shallow containers to allow faster and safer cooling,” he said.

“Always reheat leftovers at high temperatures until steaming hot to ensure food safety and enhance flavor,” he added.

Happy New Year, Kapuso! —JCB, GMA Integrated News