Using Leftover Tater TotsI have found a wonderful use for those leftover tater tots! I freeze any leftovers in a freezer bag until needed and then pull them out for a quick breakfast treat!
Using Mash Potatoes for SconesIf you have any left over mashed potatoes in your fridge, why not make up a scone mixture incorporating the potato.
Potato PuffsI used all left over mashed potatoes to make potato puffs. I season the mashed potatoes up with garlic powder, minced onion, salt and pepper. I then combine the potato mixture with cracker meal, and one egg until it can form a ball.
Planning Enough Leftovers for LunchI was blessed with a husband who doesn't mind leftovers for lunch but found myself in a bind often with leftover meat but no veggies, or veggies but no meat.
Use For Leftover Meat LoafIf you have too much meat loaf left after a meal but not enough for another meal, try this suggestion. Refrigerate overnight, then cut into medium cubes the next morning.
Conscious Decision to Have LeftoversAs I was preparing dinner Saturday night, I made a conscious decision to have leftovers. I was sauteing chicken breasts for our meal and included one more than I would need, planned to cook frozen peas and included as a side dish a box of chicken flavored rice.
Stale Bread For French ToastI cut stale bread up into chunks and put it in the freezer. When the ziploc bag is full, I make a batch of oven french toast!
Planned Leftovers with Mac and CheeseLeft-Over Mac and Cheese makes great planned-overs.
Using Leftover Scalloped PotatoesLeftover scalloped potatoes that won't be used up quickly? Load them in your blender, add milk and blend to smoothness, adding milk as necessary.
Left Over Taco SauceThe kids love to eat those taco kits where everything is included but refuse to eat the taco sauce. I save all the packets and then when I make a pot of chili I toss them in. Gives it an extra kick!
By Michelle Draveski
Using Up Leftover FruitSlice banana into bowl, cut up pieces of any other fruit you may have and pile on top of banana. Cover with yogurt. Top with dry cereal, sprinkles, nuts, cherries, anything you may have on hand.
Using Plastic Butter Containers for LeftoversIf you save the empty plastic containers from butter, yogurt, etc, use a permanent marker to put an X or some other mark on the lid so you can tell at a glance what really is butter and what is probably leftovers.
By Camilla
Replacing Turkey with Chicken in RecipesMany recipes for chicken work just as well with holiday turkey leftovers. I used a chicken curry recipe for dinner and substituted turkey. The flavor is better if the pieces of turkey are stir fried just enough to brown them.
Make An Omelette with LeftoversAn omelette is a great way to use up bits of leftovers-any cooked vegetables, meats and cheeses can be tucked inside.
By Linda
Saving Juice from Canned or Frozen FruitWhenever we eat canned fruit or frozen fruit, I save the juice and put it in ice cube trays. Once frozen, I put them in the baggies and put them in the freezer. We then use them for milkshakes by taking a few ice cubes and milk or plain yogurt and mixing them in the blender. My kids love them and it is sweeter than any store bought yogurt.
By Tina
Food Saver Tip - After Holiday FoodVacuum sealing individual meals of leftover turkey and gravy, ham or roast beef and freeze, it stays fresher when vacuum sealed. They can be heated in the bags in boiling water.
By Syd
Make a Treat Out of Leftover CerealI am a child caregiver. I end up with lots of small amounts of dry cereal every week. I take the extra cereal and crush them.
Put the Keys with the LeftoversWhen packing holiday leftovers to send home with guests, put their car keys in the fridge with the leftovers. They will think you are nuts, but they won't get any farther than the car door without their keys - and the leftovers!
By Linda
Turning Leftovers Into Convenience MealsA pal recently told me how her girlfriend used up her leftovers. She'd collect microwave dinner trays. When she'd have something leftover from a meal, she'd put a single serving of the leftovers in these containers.
Make Your Own Frozen TV DinnersLooking for ways to use your leftovers? Place individual portions of meat, veggies and dessert if desired on freezer and microwave-safe plates, cover tightly with foil, and freeze.
Freeze Leftover Pizza Sauce in Ice Cube TraysWhen making pizza, there always seems to be more sauce than we need, so I freeze leftovers in ice cube trays and take out one or two when needed. These are great for a quick tortilla pizza night. Just use tortilla shells instead of pizza dough.
Make Syrup From Leftover JellyWhen you get to the bottom of the jelly but the sides and bottom of the container still have the jelly, jam or preserves clinging to it, try adding a tiny bit of water to it.
Keeping Track of Leftovers in the RefrigeratorDon't you hate it when you clean out the fridge and have a bunch of leftovers from weeks gone by? One way to help keep track of you leftovers is to put a leftovers list on the door of your fridge.
Baked Spaghetti with LeftoversIf you have leftover spaghetti, brown some ground beef and add your favorite sauce. Mix in the spaghetti and season to taste. Put spaghetti in a casserole dish and top with Velveeta cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly. Yum!
Sandwich Spread from Leftover MeatHere's a tip that my DH actually taught me (lol). He grew up with having his mom take whatever leftover meat (not hamburger) and put it through the blender or food processor to grind it up
Make Frozen Fudgesicles From PuddingDon't know what to do with leftover pudding? I pour it into popsicle containers and freeze! Presto! You have homemade fudgesicles! I used to do this for my children and now make them for my grandchildren.
Make Vegetable Broth with LeftoversKeep a gallon size freezer bag in your freezer, and as you cut off tomato ends, carrot ends, have leftover onion tops or celery, place them in the bag. When the bag is full, pull out and make up a batch of vegetable broth.
Cook All the Noodles and Use Them as LeftoversWhen I boil noodles for something I always boil the whole package since I spent the time boiling the water. Then I use the noodles I need and I freeze the rest of the noodles in a freezer bag that I have pushed the air out of.
Reheating Leftover PizzaReheat leftover pizza in skillet. Keeps crust crispy and tastes much better than in microwave.
Maple Syrup Milk TreatFor all who adore the flavor of pure maple, when you come to the end of a container of maple syrup, add about 1 cup of milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then shake, shake, shake to get every drop left coating the container to mix well with the milk.
Keeping Soda Pop FreshTo keep canned soda after opening, place a small piece of plastic wrap on the can with an elastic band. It's just like a top.
Trading Leftovers with NeighborsMost of us have leftovers. Few of us have families willing to eat them. Turn your leftovers into a "new" meal. Make sure you've cooked a double batch, then trade your leftovers with a neighbor who has also cooked a double batch.
Combine Meat and Veggie LeftoversUse your meat leftovers by placing them in a pan with any leftover veggies. Saute until done.
Use Up Stale Cereal, Crackers, and ChipsWhat do you do with stale cereal, crackers and chips?
Clean the Refrigerator SoupI take all of my leftovers for the week and make what I call, "Clean the Refrigerator Soup". I always make my own vegetable and chicken broths, so I have lots of stock on hand.
Make Hash with Leftover Pot RoastAn idea for a leftover pot roast is one that my grandmother, mother, and now I use: Cut up or shred some of the beef and save it for the next day along with some potatoes and carrots (as little or as much as you like). Grandma calls it "hash".
Making Something Out of Things That Some People Throw in the TrashSave butter wrappers instead of throwing them away. Just toss them in a
Ziploc bag (you keep for that purpose) in the refrigerator or freezer
and use them to grease pans in the future. Read more...
Make Plans for Your LeftoversPlan weekly menus with two large cuts of meat to roast and then plan leftover dinners with the leftover meat. Also, use leftovers for sandwich meat for lunches.
- Joan
Using Extra SquashExtra cooked squash can be frozen in ice cube trays, then added to soups and stews for additional nutrition.
Clean The Refrigerator SoupI take all of my leftovers for the week and make what I call, "Clean the Refrigerator Soup". I always make my own vegetable, and chicken broths, so I have lots of stock on hand.
A Use for Leftover ApplesMake applesauce from those apples that your child takes one bite out of and won't finish. I just cut out the bite, cut up the apple and put them in a pan with a little water.
