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

---

Crockpot Cooking - Advantages and Disadvantages

In my 'un-biased' opinion, the crockpot / slow cooker is... Read More

Easy Trail Mixes

Before you set off on your next family walk or... Read More

Home Made Ice Cream Recipe for Coffee Can Ice Cream

The very best thing about having birthday cake is the... Read More

Easy Holiday Quick Bread Recipes

Quick breads are a quick, easy accompaniment to any holiday... Read More

Low Fat, Low Carb Baked Tortilla Chip with a Mango Salsa Dressing

Many low fat low cholesterol recipes are usually bland and... Read More

Sweet & Sour Fish

Sweet and sour fish is one of the most popular... Read More

Steamed Bread: Apricot-Date Nut Bread with Caramel Sauce

Steamed breads are so versatile. We love the outdoors and... Read More

Ground Turkey Recipes

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

Juniors Cheesecake

Juniors cheesecake restaurant was founded in 1950 by Harry Rosen,... Read More

Spanish Recipes - Tempting Tapas Dishes

Spain is famous for its tapas and, whichever Spanish bar... Read More

Digging Up Earthnuts (Conopodium Majus)

The custom of grubbing for Earthnuts, or Pignuts is as... Read More

Chocolate Velvet Cheesecake

Cheesecake is one of the most popular desserts around today.... 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

Straight Talk from a Comfort Foodie - Moms Remedy for the Blues

As puberty crept up and I became a passive passenger... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Spicy Chicken Cacciatore

Just because you are watching your weight, doesn't mean the... Read More

Cooking Instructions For Prime Rib Roast

Have you been searching for cooking instructions for prime rib... Read More

Limes

Limes were originally grown in Asia,introduced by the Arab traders... Read More

Ma Po Tou Tu (Bean Curd with Chili Sauce)

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

Steaks

Eating steak has always been a symbol of prosperity. During... Read More

Chicken with White Wine & Pasta

Here is a great recipe that is so simple to... Read More

Cucumbers with Yogurt & Mint

Almost every day I eat with my energy in mind,... Read More

Rowan Jelly (Mountain Ash - Pyrus aucuparia)

Sharp and sour but sweet and succulent all at the... Read More

Seafood Fettuccine Alfredo

Seafood Fettuccine is always a top seller in our restaurants.... Read More

Cookbook Publishing - The Basic Ingredients and the Secrets to Success

You are about to embark on the most exciting enterprise... Read More

Paella, The Most Famous Spanish Dish

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

How to Make Beer

Making beer is easy, inexpensive, and most of all, fun.... Read More

Chicken Wings with Oyster Sauce

Chicken wings with oyster sauce Servings: 3-4Ingredients: 12 chicken wings½... Read More

Oatmeal-Apple-Raisin Muffins

These muffins are not only tasty, but they're also a... Read More

Easy Summer Salads, Lighter Foods For A Brighter Summer

Easy summer salads are the way to go, now that... Read More

Low-Carb Pastry Pizzazz

This delicious treat adds only 1.9 grams of carb for... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Oven Fried Chicken

Enjoy the sensation of fried chicken without the extra calories... Read More

Easy Gourmet Recipes You and I can do!

So, you don't think you can find easy gourmet recipes?... Read More

Whats So Great About Slow Cooking Anyway?

As I walked through the grocery store aisles a few... Read More