Do you have left-overs from meals? Do you like to find tasty ways to use left-overs? There's only the two of us, and my husband swears that if the Russian army ever invades central Texas, I'll quickly have a hot meal ready for them made of left-overs. I find it more interesting to make a large pot of stew or soup, bake a whole chicken, or do a pot of gumbo. I freeze quite a lot of left-overs, but also make lunches and light suppers from the "remains" of a bigger meal. I figure that if God didn't want us to have left-overs, He would have made two lb. chickens, itty-bitty hams, and our gardens would not have over-produced!
I love leftovers. The only problem is we rarely have any. The only exception is when I make turkey and I love to make new and interesting dishes with turkey leftovers. The other day I made a casserole with some leftover turkey meat that I froze. Might I say it was very tasty
We love leftovers too. I have a complete shelf in the 'fridge full of them. It ensures that, if we have unexpected visitors, there's always something we can rustle up for them to eat.
I have to confess, I try not to have them as my family doesn't like to eat them. sigh... but i have been known on occasion to clean out the fridge and combine it into a casserole. add a little gravy/thickened broth or a milk based thickened "binder" with some parmesan cheese and tada... a "new" and improved dinner. add a few buttered bread crumbs or buttered instant potato flakes mixed with parmesan cheese as a topping for a "finished" new look.
Since there is only two of us I generally make enough for left overs also. If it's something that can be frozen I may make 3 to 4 times more and freeze it. If all I have to do is heat it up it's almost as good as a going out to eat and a lot cheaper!
We have enough left overs to feed a army.Canned, frozen or dehydrated. Whats left after that is worm food.
Carolyn, I didn't know about the buttered potato flakes as a topping--what a great idea! Donna, our left-over left-overs are chicken food (the ladies love pasta).
Melted butter, instant potato flakes and parmesan cheese makes for a great coating to bake chicken or fish. I drizzle the melted butter over the potato flakes and parm. cheese mix. Bake at 350 until whatever you are baking is done.
I try not to have leftovers, too many times they get shuffled to the back of the fridge and go bad. But I usually end up with little bits that I feel guilty throwing away, depending on what they are they get frozen for a stew or soup later. Today the last of the turkey leftovers will be bagged and frozen, I think we are finally tired of turkey and dressing. But when there are leftovers enough for another meal that means one less night I have to cook!! I just put things out on the counter and whoever gets hungry gets to heat it up for themselves. Right now there is a bowl of beef stew waiting for us to heat up tomorrow night.
I made chicken and noodles for supper earlier this week and with grown children in and out every day I never know who will be here for supper. Needless to say I had much chicken and noodles left over from that meal. Today it will be creamy chicken noodle soup for supper. I will add some milk and corn starch or flour a little more salt and some pepper. Supper will be a quick fix tonight.
Well, I was going to make soup, but my sister stopped on her way home from the hospital with her husband who had another stent put in yesterday ( any and all donations, prayers, kind thoughts, gratuities and money for the bills, etc are welcome . She is having melt downs over the bills and how they are going to get paid) so, I sent the left overs home with her for them for supper. There is an easy way to deal with left overs.... just pawn them off on any unsuspecting neighbors and friends.
Our oldest daughter is a single Mom with two teenage sons and a teachers salary....many of our frozen left overs get taken to her.
Marlingardener, great question With only the two of us both of us working I always make extras for lunches. We don't consider it leftovers but future meals. Sure beats eating out, and tastes wonderful....most of the time We also freeze for a variety of future meals when we are too tired to be creative. We often simply dish the food up and freeze or frigate like company is coming. Makes mornings run much smoother. Toni, your daughter is a lucky woman to get those pre-made meals. Carolyn, I want to be your neighbor Netty, 2ofus and Eileen I am right there with you.
We like leftovers....but not for more than 3 meals....I like to make soups , casseroles and pot pies from leftover meat. But I do get sick of turkey so I try to freeze some of it right away to use later.
