Creative Tips for Leftovers

Once upon a time, the word “leftovers” conjured up visions of dried, leathery beef and rubbery pasta that had family members groaning in disappointment. Today, however, with cooks becoming more creative and stretching meals into two or three dinners, leftovers are earning a much better reputation.

• Crush up leftover chips (i.e. potato, tortilla, corn) and dredge pieces of chicken or pork in them that have been dipped in egg. Bake chicken or pork in a lightly greased casserole dish at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Note: can also use leftover crushed chips as a casserole topping.

• Toss leftover rice or pasta into vegetable soup or chicken broth for a quick, hearty lunch. Make a rice pudding with leftovers or add olives, pimentos, or other veggies for a cold rice salad.

• Leftover baked potatoes can become twice-baked potatoes or chopped up with onions and garlic for delicious hash browns.

• Leftover chicken broth or wine can be frozen in ice cube trays. Remove and seal in freezer bags for a quick and tasty addition to recipes.

• Freeze leftover grapes or berries on a cookie sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container to be used later in smoothies, recipes, or as a quick snack.

• Did you know that raw eggs can be frozen whole? This is great if you have a carton of eggs getting ready to expire. Once frozen, just take out what you need, thaw, and use.

• Cut stale bread into cubes; brush with olive oil; sprinkle garlic or onion powder on top; and bake at 400 degrees until golden brown. You can also use other toppings on these tasty croutons such as parmesan cheese, oregano, dill, and/or parsley.

• Save leftover bacon to be crumbled and used in salads, soups, or a pot of beans.

• Freeze leftover meatloaf to be crumbled up and added another time to spaghetti sauce.

• Keep a large Ziploc bag in the freezer to store leftover scraps such as vegetables, rice, potatoes, pasta, meat, pork, or chicken. When the bag is full dump everything into a large soup pot; add beef, chicken, or vegetable broth and your favorite seasonings for a scrumptious soup. Note: can also add tomato sauce or canned tomatoes.

To get some great tips on how to safely handle leftovers check out An Education on Leftovers at Busy Moms Recipes.

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Copyright 2009 Charlene Davis. All rights reserved.