Saving the planet starts with small steps. Avoiding food waste is one of the easiest ways to contribute to the environment. Pyszne.pl it tells you what you need to do to become a "zero hero" and enjoy the delicious taste of our favorite dishes until the last bite.
- As the Food Trends report suggests Pyszne.pl 2023/24, Poles have already introduced some environmentally friendly eating habits into their daily lives.
- Of course, it is preferable to choose activities that do not require a lot of effort or financial costs, such as waste separation or avoiding additional cutlery in delivery.
- According to the food bank's Don't Waste Food 2023 report, Poland still spends almost 5 million tons of food a year.
- To reduce the amount of food waste, Pyszne.pl advises how to properly store and reheat the most popular products ordered with home delivery – for example: pizza, kebab and PadThai.
As the Food Trends report suggests Pyszne.pl 2023/24, we have reason to be proud – Poles have already developed many environmentally friendly habits. We mostly share waste after ordering food (85% of respondents), reuse the same bags or packaging for food (83%), and refuse disposable cutlery when ordering food with delivery (60%). Already almost every tenth coffee lover comes to the cafe with his own mug.
On the other hand, Pyszne.pl study shows that 53% of Poles are not willing to pay more to make their order more environmentally friendly. A higher price for packaging, shipping, or products can effectively weaken our environmental commitment. However, "being IVF" doesn't have to be expensive. On the contrary, simple habits can not only protect the environment, but also have a positive impact on our budget. A good example here is limiting the release of leftover food.
According to the food bank's Don't Waste Food 2023 report, Poland still spends almost 5 million tons of food a year. One of the main reasons we throw away takeout items is because we don't know what to do with them. The last slices of pizza after a party, leftover tikka masala sauce after a home date, or pad thai from lunch – all you need are a few simple tricks and a little culinary imagination to enjoy your favorite flavors the next day.
- Pizza
The last pieces should always be stored in the refrigerator-ingredients such as cheese or various types of meat should be stored at low temperatures. It is best to use a cardboard box so that the dish does not acquire other odors.
Pizzerias are most often advised to reheat pizza in the oven. We heat it up to 180 degrees (or 200 degrees if we want it to be crunchy) and place the pie on restaurant parchment or baking paper. We put the baking tray or grill on the middle level, and the oven's operating mode is on thermal paste or up and down. Preheat the pizza. 6-10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bottom is crisp.
Alternatively, you can use a frying pan. Preheat it over medium heat, then put a slice of pizza on it without adding fat. We need to cover the whole thing tightly with aluminum foil, and to keep it moist, add a few drops of water to the bottom. This is enough for the resulting steam to effectively melt the cheese.
Photo: Pinterest
- Kebab
By data Pyszne.pl kebab is a favorite dish of Poles in Poland, but reheating it can be difficult due to the different ingredients. To keep the leftovers well stored, you should separate the meat from the vegetables, and then put them in the refrigerator. It is not recommended to reheat beef in the oven, as it becomes dry. A non-stick frying pan is best suited. Both chicken and beef skewers should be poured with a small amount of water and covered with a lid. The meat should be ready after approx. five minutes. It can be served with your favorite fillings, for example: baked potatoes and fresh lettuce, or a new flatbread.
- French fries
According to the Food Waste Race report, French fries are the most frequently discarded food additive in delivery. However, refreshing them is very easy. Do not bake, do not reheat in the microwave, just fry over medium heat with the addition of vegetable oil for about 3-5 minutes. Air fryer is also perfect. If desired, the French fries can be lightly salted.
- Pad thai
Pad thai is a dish with seemingly tender rice noodles, but you can reheat it very simply in a frying pan. All you need is a little oil (preferably vegetable or sesame oil) and gently stir the pasta so that it doesn't stick together. If the dish seems dry, we add a tablespoon or two of water. A little lime juice, coriander or chopped peanuts will add freshness. A serving of pad thai can be easily increased with new ingredients, such as chicken breast slices or fried vegetables.
Photo: Pinterest
- Wheat noodles
Any dish based on wheat noodles can be quickly reheated in the microwave. Just put a glass of water next to the dishes so that the steam does not dry out and stick together. It is also worth stirring the dish while warming up. If the portion seems too small, you can consider pasta as an addition to another dish, replacing them with potatoes, rice or cereals.
- PHO soup or ramen
When we order a soup like PHO, the broth is often enough for the next serving. It is important to separate the broth from the pasta, which easily gets wet. Soup stored in the refrigerator can be reheated in a saucepan or microwave. Just add fresh pasta to use up the broth to the last spoonful. Although it is traditional to add rice noodles to PHO soup, any other with a fine structure will do.
The same can be done with ramen. However, you should be creative and enrich the dish with new ingredients that we have at hand-fresh vegetables, pieces of meat or a soft-boiled egg.
No matter what kind of food we ordered, when it turns out to be too large for one meal, you should try using leftovers – at least as a snack or addition to a new dish. This is one of the easiest ways to proudly call yourself "zero hero".
Junior specialist in Marketing Communications and PR.
He is a graduate of the University of Warsaw and the Main School of Agriculture. We have been in the HoReCa industry for more than 10 years. For many years, he has been associated with the Trip group, Sobienie Royal Golf and Country Club, and the Florentin Restaurant in Warsaw.
She graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Warsaw Technical University with a degree in Architecture for the Knowledge Society and Visual Communications at the Polytechnic University of Milan. A specialist in creating a mood. She has gained experience at home and abroad at numerous international seminars (Seville, Lisbon, Florence), fellowships at La Sapienza (Rome), etc. m.in. in Carmi e Ubertis and ADM Milano.
A manager with many years of experience in the cosmetics, food, and children's industries. During his career, he was associated with such companies as: L'Oreal, Samsung, Danone-Nutricia, Unilever. During his professional life, he was responsible, among other things, for the development of e-commerce sales and content in Poland and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. 
