Make the most of your leftovers this Christmas

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Environmental Health team wants to help you cut down on food waste this Christmas.

It’s part of a festive campaign from the Food Standards Agency.

Cooking is seen as one of the most stressful parts of Christmas by many – but hopefully some guidance and advice can help to overcome this.

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Alderman Maura Hickey, said: “Christmas is a time of year when we seem to throw away more than normal. I hope our residents take on board the advice that is available to them which should help us become a less wasteful society.”

Leftover turkey usually ends up in sandwiches or as a curry but you can make your festive food go further by freezing leftovers. Make sure warm dishes are left to cool first and place the food in an air tight container or wrap it well in freezer bags, freezer wrap or cling film. You should also divide food into portion sizes which means you can then defrost what you need. All freezer food should be well labelled and dated.

Remember you can freeze turkey, other meat and meals cooked using previously frozen raw meat. This will allow you to turn your leftover Christmas dinner into a meal for another day.

Full details about freezing, defrosting and storing food are now available on the Council’s website www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk