DiscussionsCooking for Two

As hard as the hubby and I try to cook for two, there are many nights were we end up with leftovers. Often we end up taking the leftovers into work the next day for lunch or freeze it for another dinner.

What are you best leftover storage ideas, tips and products that you live by?  

My MIL bought us this “As Seen on TV Smart Spin Storage System“ for Christmas one year, and I thought it was silly. But honestly, it’s one if the useful things she’s ever given us! In fact, I think anything where the lids match, is just smart.

Knowing I usually pack my lunch for work, I see some Tupperware as investment.  Though we do keep leftover yogurt containers, I some plastic containers are just well thought out. Like these:

http://www.amazon.com/Salad-Container-Spoon-Combo-Colors/dp/B000Y0BC4Y

and:

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen/foodontheGo/foodContainers?productId=10025858&N=78866

Anyways, looking forward to hearing your ideas, tips and tricks. Sincerely, CC

I also save yogurt containers, as well as cottage cheese, margerine, frosting containers, etc. etc....if it has a good fitting lid, I save it...then I use them when sending food/leftovers home with guests...that way I don't have to worry about remembering who I sent my good tupperware or rubbermaid dishes home with....and I don't need them back. I encourage whoever I sent it home with to do the same thing. Recycle & reuse...that's the name of the game! :-)

I'm glad you asked this question- we have the same problem!

Thanks!

I don't ever store anything in plastic containers because of BPA.  I buy glass/ceramic and store in them.  You can store, defrost and then reheat without worrying about leaking out chemicals. 

I`ve totally given up storing leftovers for longer periods of time. I used to put them in Tupperware boxes, but I kept forgetting about them actually containing leftovers, and then weeks and months would pass, just for me to finally find the box "hidden" somewhere in the fridge; off course with moss all over it on the inside.. 

I keep a post-it pad on the fridge.  When I put leftover(s) in fridge - I list what ..with date after it. 

i.e.  Chicken caccitore/2 pcs chick - 11/10

      Green beans (-1 cup) - 11/9

      soup - 1-1/2 cups - 11/9

Then it is right there in front of  my eyes when I am ready to open the fridge; and I can decide whether to use it for lunch/snack or incorporate it in to something I'm going to make.    I've found that this has helped me a lot.  Oh I cross off (or toss the post it) when I use the item... and add more.

I also like to freeze certain leftovers (soups, chili, sauces, etc.) .... as bringing them out in a month they don't taste like leftovers!  In fact, I plan ahead when making certain things that freeze well ... it stocks my fridge for busy (or lazy) days.

jds12, Thankyou, thank you, fantastic idea of post it note for 'left-ups'!  Wonder why I never thought of this.  Ginny :)

I love my inexpensive (less than $20 bucks @ Wal-mart) Sterlite small see-through square & rectangular 16pc set with the color coded tops & bottoms & their snap on lids.  It contains 2 each of 4 different sizes that hold between approx 3.5 cup to 6 cups each.  Being square & rectangular, they fit perfectly in everything from the cabinet, fridge & lunch bags.  They snap closed on all four sides, seal tightly & are freezeable/microwaveable/dishwasher safe.  Rejoice in those leftovers as it's one last thing to worry about & saves lots of time & money. 

jds12:

I keep a post-it pad on the fridge.  When I put leftover(s) in fridge - I list what ..with date after it. 

i.e.  Chicken caccitore/2 pcs chick - 11/10

      Green beans (-1 cup) - 11/9

      soup - 1-1/2 cups - 11/9

Then it is right there in front of  my eyes when I am ready to open the fridge; and I can decide whether to use it for lunch/snack or incorporate it in to something I'm going to make.    I've found that this has helped me a lot.  Oh I cross off (or toss the post it) when I use the item... and add more.

I also like to freeze certain leftovers (soups, chili, sauces, etc.) .... as bringing them out in a month they don't taste like leftovers!  In fact, I plan ahead when making certain things that freeze well ... it stocks my fridge for busy (or lazy) days.

now this is a great idea that i can use! how come i never thought of it! thanks!

that is a fantastic idea!  i have short term memory loss and often don't remember when i put the leftover in the fridge.  i'm now going to use the post-it note system.  thanks for the advice! 

Hello My name is Lisa Michelle Garrett...I like to use the large freezer bags or regular large storage bags. They save alot of space and you can use a black sharpie marker and add the date and what is inside...that way you know if it's been stored for to long. Works well, and of course you can always freeze them for a later date.

I hope this hepled..:)

Left over may be frozen after wrapped in plastic and then foil. This allows them to lay flat or not take up as much room and you don't have to eat them right away...you can savor them after a busy day or whenever.

I absolutely love Rubbermaid square containers with the 'Easy-Find" lids.  Everything snapps together. Covers all snap together and also snap to the bottom of the container, and easy to stack together.  They are dishwasher safe.  Tomato sauce doesn;t stain.  You can see what is in them, or stick a note on top with tape.  I love them.

I purposely try NOT to cook for just 2.  My boyfriend takes his lunch to work every day and I usually take mine.  I'm sorry, but I can only eat so many sandwiches before I never want to see one again and he's the same way.  We both have refrigerators and microwaves at work and I have a toaster oven.  We love having leftovers for lunch the next day or to put in the freezer for another time.  I also have one of the space saver spin racks with 3 different sizes of containers but all share the same size lid...what an amazing discovery!  I would buy 2 more of these sets if I could find them.  And the sizes are perfect.  The small one works great for desserts or sauces, the medium is perfect for one serving (approx. 1 cup) of fresh fruits and veggies, soup, pasta, etc.  I've found that the big ones are perfect for 2 servings of soup and fit great in the freezer.  You can stack them and pack them in and they don't fall over.  Also, with my job, I work a lot of overtime in the spring, so nothing is nicer than pulling something out of the freezer the night before and just having to heat it up when I get home.