How to make the most of your Christmas lamb

Lamb is always a top choice gracing our Kiwi Christmas tables, and the very popular leg of lamb is a big crowd pleaser and an easy way to feed the troops.

In the unlikely event that all the lamb isn’t wolfed down, we’ve got some low food waste ideas to ensure you get the most out of your Christmas lamb, with little or nothing going to landfill.

Step 1: Cook up the best leg of lamb ever, you’ll have your guests leaving only the bone. To help you out we’ve pulled together our ten most popular Christmas lamb leg recipes here. If you’re left with only the bones, congratulations, you can move to step 4. If you’ve got a bit leftover, read on.

Step 2: Before you hit the couches for a post-feast coma-nap, pop any leftover lamb and food into the refrigerator. Keeping meat and leftover foods chilled, avoids food spoiling and going to waste. Cover the lamb and allow it to cool slightly before refrigerating and never leave food out at room temperature for more than two hours (if it’s a hot summer day this may be even less).

Step 3: Did you know the second most wasted food in New Zealand is leftovers? It’s time for Kiwis to love their leftovers, especially if it involves delicious lamb.

Here are some easy leftover ideas:

Try these delicious pulled lamb greek pita breads, a wonderful way to use up leftover lamb, leaving your taste buds wanting more.

These next two recipes use beef but this can easily be swapped for lamb. The kids will especially love assembling these vietnamese rice paper rolls, as well as these simple beef steak wraps.

Alternatively, if you’ve got a bunch of random ingredients lying around in your fridge and pantry, why not give our Salad Generator a go? Transform your leftover lamb into a delicious, filling salad… it’s easier than you think.

Step 4: If all you’ve got left is the lamb bone, wait…don’t throw it in the bin, it still has a use. Wrap it in cling film (to avoid freezer burn), put it in a container or zip-log bag and into the freezer. You can use it alongside other bones to make bone broth on a cooler day.

Step 5: Only the well-used bone is now left to discard. If you’re in a region that has household food waste bins available, bones can be added to these and nothing need go to landfill. If you don’t have a food waste bin, pop the bones into your general rubbish and feel good knowing you’ve made the most of your Christmas lamb.

For more leftover recipe ideas click here.