Stepping into Helen Agostino's kitchen is a bit like stepping onto a magician's stage.

But while the magician makes a rabbit disappear, Agostino's transformations are purely culinary. Gone are the days-old roast veggies and in its place is a homemade hummus thanks to a can of chickpeas, some spices and a little olive oil. And that celery on the side? It was looking a little limp in the fridge, but a little time in some ice water has crisped it right up.

It's all in a day for Canberra's queen of leftovers.

"When I see my sad vegetable crisper, I look at it and I go, well, that's a curry with the remainder of the little jars of curry paste, or whatever you can throw that all in," Ms Agostino said.

"If you do want meat or you've got tofu or something, it can go in, and rice freezes quite

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