By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Once the Easter festivities wind down (and the sugar hangover has subsided!) many households may find themselves with an abundance of leftovers – think fridges full of ham, hard-boiled eggs, chocolate treats and hot cross buns.
However, rather than letting these delicious remnants go to waste - especially given the soaring price of groceries - why not embark on an eggs-treme makeover and transform them into new and exciting meals?
With a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of culinary ingenuity, you can breathe new life into your Easter leftovers:
Go ham:
If you find yourself with leftover ham from your Easter feast, consider transforming it into a classic breakfast favourite: bacon and eggs.
Simply chop the ham into small pieces and fry until crispy, then use them to top a plate of scrambled, fried or poached eggs. The smoky flavour of the ham pairs perfectly with the richness of the eggs, creating a satisfying and wholesome breakfast option that is sure to please the whole family.
Alternatively, leftover ham can also be repurposed into a delicious quiche (find recipes here). Simply dice and scatter it along with shredded cheese into a pre-made pie crust. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper, then pour the mixture over the ham and cheese.
Bake until the quiche is set and golden brown on top. Serve slices of this savoury quiche for brunch or dinner, accompanied by a side salad for a complete meal.
Hot cross buns: Version 2.0
Hot cross buns are another beloved Easter treat, but, if you find yourself with leftovers, why not give them a decadent makeover by turning them into French toast?
Begin by slicing the hot cross buns in half and dipping them in a mixture of beaten eggs, milk, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Fry the buns in a frypan until golden brown and crispy on the outside, then serve them with a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
The warm spices and sweet glaze of the hot cross buns pair perfectly with the custardy texture of the French toast, creating a decadent dish that will leave you anything but cross!
You don’t make friends with salad (except if it’s the egg type):
Hard-boiled eggs are a staple of Easter celebrations that can easily be repurposed into a variety of delicious salads for a few days beyond. For a classic egg salad, simply chop hard-boiled eggs and mix them with mayonnaise, mustard and your favourite seasonings.
Or, get creative with your egg salad variations by adding ingredients like diced avocado, crispy bacon, chopped fresh herbs or tangy pickles. Boiled eggs are also a great addition to salad Nicoise and Caesar salad, as well as curried eggs - which can be served on sandwiches, wraps or atop a bed of mixed greens for a satisfying and protein-packed meal.
Decadent desserts: The sequel
While the odds of surviving Easter Sunday without wolfing down an entire bag of Cadbury Creme Eggs are low, if you do happen to have any leftover chocolate eggs lingering after Easter, why not use them to create indulgent and decadent desserts?
Chop the chocolate eggs into small pieces and fold them into brownie batter, cookie dough or cake mix for an extra burst of sweetness and flavour. Alternatively, melt the chocolate eggs down and use them as a rich and creamy drizzle over ice cream, pancakes or fresh fruit.
Given that Easter chocolate is practically interchangeable with the regular kind, the possibilities are endless when it comes to incorporating leftovers into your favourite desserts.
So, let your imagination run wild and see what delicious creations can satisfy your sweet tooth.
