Using Up Leftover Liquids in the Kitchen

It’s not just food leftovers that can be used up. There are lots of ways to use up any leftover liquids as well, such as tea, coffee and wine.

Using up Tea

There are lots of things to do with tea to avoid pouring it away. Don’t forget the bags too – cooled in the fridge, they make great eye soothers. The tea itself can be used to water acid-loving plants. You can also use it as a natural dye for fabrics or home-made paper. It will give a vintagey, aged look.

Cooled black tea also makes a hair-shining rinse for brunettes. It can also be used to shine mirrors and glass. Buff afterwards with newspaper for a great shine.

Using up Coffee

If you make a coffee to but don’t end up drinking it all, why not pop the coffee into ice cubes and pop them in the freezer? They will come in useful when you make iced coffee or in drinks such as Baileys, Kahlua or Tia Maria.

Alternatively, just make your leftover coffee into iced coffee. When it’s been refrigerated you can add vanilla flavouring, chocolate mix, or flavoured syrup for a more indulgent drink. Just serve over ice when you’re ready to drink it.

Leftover coffee can also be used in coffee-flavoured desserts such as tiramisu or coffee recipe.

Here’s how to make an easy tiramisu. You will need:

  • Three cups of black coffee
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar
  • 5 tablespoons of Amaretto
  • 2 eggs
  • 200g mascarpone cheese
  • 200ml whipping cream
  • Cocoa powder
  • Sponge finger biscuits

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How to make it

Add half the Amaretto to the coffee in a bowl. Separate the eggs. In another bowl, beat together the egg yolks and sugar. Fold in the mascarpone and whipped cream. Beat the egg whites until they’re quite stiff and add them to the eggs, cream and cheese mixture and add the rest of the Amaretto. Take the sponge fingers and dip each one in the coffee mixture. Place one layer across the bottom of a dessert dish. Add a layer of the cream mixture and then repeat with a layer of the biscuits. Repeat this, until you have used all your mixture, end with a layer of the cream mixture, dusted with cocoa. Refrigerate.

Using Leftover Wine

It may be unusual but if there’s any wine left that you don’t want to drink, don’t throw it away. You can use it to add flavour to all sorts of dishes, such as Bolognese, casserole, cream sauces and more.

If you can’t use it straight away, freeze it in cubes to drop in as and when you need it.

White wine also makes a great base for a refreshing salad dressing. Here’s how.

  • Half a glass of white wine
  • Two lemons
  • A teaspoon of honey or sugar if the wine is dry
  • Quarter of a glass of olive oil
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Blend all the ingredients together, slowly adding the oil last. You will need to shake or stir the dressing before you use it.