Leftovers. The white elephant in the refrigerator. Unless you can accurately anticipate the hunger level of your family and control your portions to match you will have them.
I actually think leftovers are a good thing. It gives you options for the next day's lunch or perhaps can be converted into yet another meal. It's more efficient to cook this way, especially if you can make use of the leftovers in meals-to-come. Not that I am one of those cooks that plan the menu for the week, then shop - buying just enough for their meal plan - then execute the plan, with something new and delicious every day of the week. I do admire people who can do that. I bet they throw away a lot less food and spend much less at the grocery store. I envision their immaculate kitchens with tables set with candles and flowers and shiny happy people seated there enjoying their planned dinners. Heck, they probably have the menus posted like a school lunch calendar so everyone knows what's coming.
But in my household that's just not how I roll. I don't have that kind of time (or, more honestly, I choose to not make that kind of time). Our nightly plans seem subject to daily change and quite often it seems we have a few extra kids to feed (surprise!) Besides, it probably wouldn't help - I have a bunch of leftovers snobs. There. I said it. It's like I'm asking them to eat used food. The way they turn up their noses I might as well have regurgitated it like some big Mommy Bird.
I know what you're thinking. Maybe she's just not a good cook and being forced to eat something nasty twice is above and beyond. But - not to pat myself on the back too hard - I am a good cook. Seriously.
It just pains me to throw out container after container of leftovers because nobody ate them. According to the Mayo Clinic here in Minny you should toss 'em after 4 days. So the Mommy Bird must have a few tricks up her sleeve to minimize the waste.
I have found that there are a few good ways to use up those Godforsaken bits of this and that. One of my favorites is to make hash. Everyone I know likes potatoes. Chop up those leftover veggies and bit of steak or whatever you happen to have and voila - a meal no one will snub.
Option #2 is homemade pizza. Again - chop 'em up and use them to top the pizza. Who doesn't love pizza? And cheese, glorious cheese.
Option #3: Omelettes! All those goodies make great omelette filling.
Option #4 Loaded baked potatoes. You can even use up "liquidy" things like leftover chili this way. Just top your baked potato with whatever you've got and some cheese. MMMMMMMM...cheeeeeeese.
One note though - reheating leftovers. The Harvard Medical School has some helpful information about reheating leftovers and the risks posed by the containers they reheated in if using a microwave. Check it out and be safe!!
Well, my friends, if you're out there, hopefully this will give you a few ideas. If you have any tricks of your own, please share!!
Cheers!
Jen
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