Reinventing Leftovers

[Terri-Lynn2]

Hi,

The other day I read two great ideas for reinventing leftovers, one was to place leftover spaghetti in a casserole dish with some cheese on top and make baked spaghetti and the other was to add cheese, green onion and bacon bits to leftover mashed potatoes to make easy twice baked potatoes. My question is, does anyone else have any good ideas to reinvent leftovers. I am a stickler for just reheating what we had the night before. BORING!!!

Thanks a Bunch!

Terri

[lindrusso]

I have used leftover roasted veggies (or really any veggies) for frittata, toppings for pizza or a filling for quesadillas - lots of possibilities.

In case you missed them, here are links for ideas for leftover meatballs and one for leftover rice:

Meatballs: http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/001116.html

Rice: http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/000915.html

It always makes me feel good to put odds and ends to good use!

[LIsaP]

The other night I had some leftover black bean salad. I bought some great Turkish pitas from a bakery near me and put the salad on top with some feta cheese and broiled until heated through for a sort of mexican pizza.
It came out really well!

[Gail]

A while back, I remember posting a recipe for Mashed Potato Cheese puffs, which is a great way to use up leftover potatoes. (Good as a side side with grilled fish)

Check it out at: www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/000719.html (http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/000719.html)

Left over pot roast can be shredded and used either in tacos, tostadas or enchiladas-- for that matter, you can do that with just about any kind of leftover meat. Many veggies can double as omelet or crepe fillings, some are even good wrapped up in tortillas and eaten for lunch! I'm sure there are loads of other quick-fixes for leftovers, but offhand that's all that comes to mind. If I think of more, I'll be back.

[This message has been edited by Gail (edited 09-14-2000).]

[greta]

jeanne g, although this isn't solely a black bean salad, it's a great one!! thought you might like it.

Marinated Balsamic Bean Salad

"This is great at lunch or as a side dish on hot summer nights. It keeps well for quite a long time in the fridge."

1 cup frozen whole-kernel corn
1 cup frozen cut green beans
1 (16-ounce) can kidney beans
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1 (15-ounce) can black beans
1 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced

Combine the first 5 ingredients in a colander; rinse and drain. Combine onion and remaining ingredients in a bowl; add corn and beans, tossing gently to coat. Cover and marinate in refrigerator at least 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Yield: 7 servings (serving size: 1 cup).
CALORIES 214 (16% from fat); FAT 3.8g (sat 0.5g, mono 1.7g, poly 0.8g); PROTEIN 10.6g; CARB 37g; FIBER 6.40g; CHOL 0mg; IRON 3.50mg; SODIUM 526mg; CALC 74mg

[Wendy w]

This may not sound appetizing, but it's good! I like to take leftover salad, add chopped turkey or ham, more dressing and veggies (if needed), a little romano and put it in a pita. It makes a great lunch and since leftover salad isn't attractive, the pita provides a good "hiding place"

[BevP]

I take any leftover veggies and place them in some tupperware in the freezer. When I have enough, I take all those veggies, some smoked sausage or such and make a soup. It never comes out the same way twice. We had this for dinner last night and it was great.

[Jeanne G]

Lisa,
could you post your black bean salad recipe? I love black beans but don't have a black bean salad recipe.

Terr-Lynn, sorry I don't have any great left over recipes. Although the link above for rice gave me lots of recipes. I tend to bring my left-overs in for lunch, but like all the suggestions you've gotten.

[This message has been edited by Jeanne G (edited 09-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Jeanne G (edited 09-17-2000).]

[Jeanne G]

Greta!
Your salad looks awesome. I am a HUGE black bean fan, and tend to put them IN lots of stuff, but have never made black bean salad. I think I'll make it today!
BevP,
What an good idea with the veggies. I would have never thought of that. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Terri-Lynn2]

Boy, thank you everyone for coming up with such good ideas, it sure has got my brain thinking. I never like opening the fridge to tons of leftovers and its even worse when you end up throwing them away. I cant wait to try the salad!!

Thanks again


Terri

[jillmayre]

Just a quick tip... Don't think of them as "leftovers" -- that makes it sound unattractive and unwanted...

Try this instead: you have made a wonderful meal and it was not completely eaten the first time. The second time around, it becomes a "culinary encore". Add fresh parsley or a dash of this & that for a slightly enlivened presentation, it becomes a "creative encore". Much more tasty than a lingering leftover.

[Jeanne G]

Lindrusso,
I finally got the opportunity to try your Company Rice with Beans from my leftover rice thread, that you posted above. It was very very good!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif I used zucchini & broccoli, added more oregano, some fresh basil and added mushrooms. THANKS! Yummy!! It made quite a bit, so now I can eat THIS as a "leftover". And I do love leftovers, however they're worded!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif
Jeanne

Lisa, where've you been? I would still love that bean recipe!!?

[Marcie]

CL did an article in the Jan/Feb 97 issue featuring an Apricot-glazed Pork Roast. Following were 4 or so recipes using the leftover pork - I remember a pork/veggie alfredo of some sort and bbq pork sandwiches. Worth looking up if you like pork. The pork roast recipe is a real favorite of ours.