'Shake and bake' with iPhone app

Shaking the iPhone creates a suggested recipe from leftovers

An Apple iPhone application is helping people minimise food waste by suggesting recipes to cook with leftover ingredients.

The app, made by Dundee firm Waracle Ltd, asks users to add leftover food to an on-screen blender and then shake the iPhone to create the recipe.

It also offers a portion size planner and tips on reducing food waste.

On average, Scottish households throw away £430 of food per year, according to recent figures.

Memory jogger

This accounts for 566,000 tonnes of wasted food a year, worth more than £1bn.

The national "Love Food Hate Waste" campaign estimates that about two thirds of that food could have been eaten.

The free app, designed for the campaign, has already received over 14,500 downloads since it launched.

The recipe planner and information on how to cut food costs is also available on the Love Food website.

Chef and broadcaster Nell Nelson said the app was "brilliant" for jogging your memory when trying to think of something to cook.

"I had some eggs, red peppers and half a packet of cheddar cheese in the fridge and instantly the program came up with a recipe for quick quiche using leftover veg," he said.