Use Up Those Leftovers!

Managing leftovers is a challenge we all face! Throwing food away is just like throwing money away. With a little time,organization and using a little ingenuity, leftovers can be dealt with efficiently.

Be sure to refrigerate leftovers promptly and use them within one or two days or freeze. If you have any doubt about whether a food is still safe to eat, throw it out!

Keep your leftovers in a section of your fridge that you designate only for leftovers. Then it's easy to see what you have.

Leftover meat like roast beef, turkey or chicken can easily be used in sandwiches for tomorrow's lunch. Or it can be chopped, frozen and used in a casserole later in the week.

Leftover ham makes great ham salad or you can use it to make ham and bean soup.

Leftover onions, green peppers can be chopped and sealed in zipper-top bags and kept in the freezer. It's economical and time-saving, too. Next time you need chopped onions, just pull a bag out of the freezer!

Leftover bread can be used to make bread pudding. If your family doesn't eat the heels of a loaf of bread, keep a bag in the freezer and add the heels until you have enough.

Favorite Bread Pudding

  • 3 cups soft bread crumbs

  • 2 cups milk, scalded with 1/4 cup butter

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 2 eggs, slightly beaten

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg

Place bread crumbs in a 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Stir remaining ingredients together and pour over bread crumbs, mixing well.

Place baking dish in pan of hot water (water should be about 1" deep) and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 40 - 45 minutes. Test for doneness by inserting a knife 1 inch from edge - it should come out clean.

Delicious warm!

Bread can also be used to make croutons. Just cut the bread into cubes. Toss with melted butter, seasoned salt, parmesan cheese, and whatever other seasonings you like. Bake in a 300 degree oven till the cubes are golden brown.

Use these croutons to top salads or casseroles or even as a snack.

If you have leftover mashed potatoes, besides the obvious potato cakes, try this: Fry an egg and serve over a warm mound of mashed potatoes. Makes a different kind of supper.

Make a meal from leftovers seem special by adding homemade rolls or biscuits. Or serve along with a family favorite side dish or salad.

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."
---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

About The Author

Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly newsletter and founder of the website of the same name. Visit http://www.cynroberts.com to find creative tips, articles, and a free e-cooking book. Subscribe to the newsletter and receive the free e-course "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill". editor@cynroberts.com

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


All About Strawberry Shortcakes

Strawberry shortcake may be a 200 year-old American invention. With... Read More

Mrs. Butters? Secret Key Lime Pie Recipe

"Frozen Key Lime Pie recipe?" Fern Butters asked. "Child, I'll... Read More

A Scone Recipe for Dinner or Lunch

There are two ways to pronounce scone. "Skon" in England... Read More

Swiss Cheese Fondue

Ingredients600g white bread (I recommend baguette or any other kind... Read More

Ediths Cake That Thrilled the French

Twenty-three chefs who cooked for world royalty and heads of... Read More

Tayberry Jam

The taste of Summer, bursting with flavour and anti-oxidant effects.... Read More

Spanish Food - How To Make Spicy Gazpacho Soup.

Home-made soups are so good for you - all that... Read More

Raisin Roll Delight

Ingredients: ¾ cup cold water plus 2 Tablesps (very important)... Read More

Spinach Salad with Mango and Papaya

This is a great summer salad, leaving you refreshed even... Read More

Weird Foods Of The World - Chinese

I have eaten some weird and wonderful dishes around the... Read More

Ground Turkey Recipes

Our family has recently made the switch from ground beef... Read More

Noodles

Different cultures have their own way of taking some water... Read More

New York Style Cheesecake Recipe

New York style cheesecake recipes are made with a combination... Read More

Light Veal Recipes to Barbeque or to Broil

With everyone watching their weight and seeking out recipes that... Read More

Straight Talk from a Comfort Foodie: Strudel Makes the Woman

Strudel Makes the WomanGrandpa Max loved butter cookies. He liked... Read More

Bourbon BBQ Sauce

If you are seeking a very unique flavored bbq sauce... Read More

Low Carb Barbeque Sauce

Is there such a thing as low carb bbq sauce... Read More

Fortunate Lemon Chicken

A delicious chicken meal for you to prepare at home.... Read More

Handy Home-Prepared Mixes

Pre-packaged store-bought box mixes are expensive. Have you considered homemade... Read More

Spanish Food - The Tasty Tortilla

It certainly is a poor man or woman who cannot... Read More

Broccoli Rabe with Caramelized Onions and Garlic

Broccoli is a major EnergyRich ?, food and strength builder.... Read More

Cinco de Mayo Recipe

My ex reminded me last week that the holiday that... Read More

Fancy Up Your Muffins

We introduced muffins to you last week and many of... Read More

Ma Po Tou Tu (Bean Curd with Chili Sauce)

Ma Po Tou Fu is Sichuan's well known characteristic dish.... Read More

Making Pancake Batter the Night Before (with Recipe)

Mornings are hectic. If you make your pancake batter the... Read More

Asparagus Quiche

½ lb. Asparagus spears (top part of asparagus with the... Read More

Rice Noodles with Tomatoes and Tuna -A Savoury Gluten-free Alternative to Pasta

Ok. I never thought that the day would come when... Read More

A Healthy Summertime Snack For Your Kids

Oh, for the lazy days of Summer.... As If!Nowadays we... Read More

Apples of Love

If the Spanish conquistadors had known what they were onto... Read More

Converting Recipes for Your Crockpot

Crockpots vary but the low setting is typically around 100... Read More

A Simple Technique to Remember Grocery Items

Whoops! I Forgot the ... at the Grocery Store!Have you... Read More

Provence Steak Recipes

Want an international flair for your steaks? Try a Provence... Read More

Paella, The Most Famous Spanish Dish

First of all, paella is not exactly the dish but... Read More