7 leftover transformation ideas shared by NPR audience
5 reported
NPR published a story on July 6, 2026, featuring seven creative ways to turn leftovers into new meals, based on audience responses to a question from a previous story and podcast episode on reducing food waste by journalist Emily Siner. The suggestions include layering leftovers into a biryani casserole, smashing them into a crunchy panini, using a rotisserie chicken carcass for stock, stuffing ancho peppers, scrambling leftovers with tofu for breakfast, making Polish beet soup, and pressing leftovers into a quesadilla. The audience contributors are Pradosh Mohapatra, Jennifer Webster, Jennifer Sabie, Courtney Zola, and Paula Stellefson. The story was edited by Meghan Keane with visual editing by CJ Riculan. The article is from a single source, NPR, and has not been cross-referenced with other outlets.
What’s reported
The article lists seven ways to transform leftovers: biryani casserole, panini, chicken stock, stuffed ancho peppers, tofu scramble, Polish beet soup, and quesadilla.
Contributors are Pradosh Mohapatra, Jennifer Webster, Jennifer Sabie, Courtney Zola, and Paula Stellefson.
The story originated from a question in a previous NPR story and podcast episode on reducing food waste by journalist Emily Siner.
The article was edited by Meghan Keane and visually edited by CJ Riculan.
The article was published on July 6, 2026.
Key figures
Pradosh Mohapatra (audience contributor)
Jennifer Webster (audience contributor)
Jennifer Sabie (audience contributor)
Courtney Zola (audience contributor)
Paula Stellefson (audience contributor)
Emily Siner (journalist)
Meghan Keane (editor)
CJ Riculan (visual editor)
Sources: NPR
