Saturday, January 28, 2012

Dont just re-heat, re-invent!

I can easily define myself as a picky eater. I dont eat much meat, i cannot stand the sight of cottage cheese and i dont eat leftovers...well, until now!
    I found that if i just re-heat the food from last nights dinner than i just cannot eat it. But if I use the leftovers to make something "new" than i have no problem! It is amazing how much money i save by doing this and with a few quick fixes i still enjoy evey meal. Im gonna give you a few ideas that i have come up with and i will add some more recipes as i come up with them.
    Leftover chicken breast that we had grilled out got shredded and mixed with taco seasoning, black beans and corn. I rolled this mixture in a flour tortilla and added some shredded cheese and salsa. This could easily be done using leftover ground beef too.
    Leftover chili gets re-used in all kinds of recipes at our house. I toss it with leftover mac and cheese and add some shredded cheese on top and bake. I fry a flour tortilla in oil and top with chili, cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, guacamole, olives, salsa, etc. How about an all time favorite? The chili dog served with homemade fries!
    Any leftover vegetable (corn, peas, carrots, celery, green beans, etc.) gets tossed in a tupperware container and put in the freezer. We use these in soups and stews.
    Leftover spanish rice gets tossed with leftover hamburger and taco seasoning. Put that in a casserole and top with crushed up doritos (use the bottom of the bag that would usually be tossed) and then add shredded cheese and bake. I also add black beans, or red beans, and corn sometimes. The rice is also good to mix with onions, peppers, and ground beef and stuff a bell pepper with it. Top with cheese and bake.
    The list of ideas could go on for miles. I basically check my pantry and see what i can add to what ive already got. We have come up with some really tastey meals doing this. Be creative! Have fun! Save money and time! Now go re-invent last nights meal into tonight meal!

1 comment:

  1. frugalmomma,
    All of the above are creative ideas to s t r e t c h the family budget and enhance menu choices! We just happen to have some left~over chili from tonight...Thanks for sharing!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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