I have a number of friends that refuse to eat leftovers. ( you know who you are!) I tell them they’re not very creative and limiting the opportunity to cut time in the kitchen the next few evenings.
Leftovers provide a great starting point for the next dish. It can be as simple as rice or pasta or something more substantial like chicken, sausage or some other type of meat.
Pasta is great as a leftover, it’s a quick meal just waiting to happen. In fact, when I cook pasta many times I make extra so I’ll have some plain pasta in the fridge. Leftover pasta is a great when you have hungry kids or just a few minutes to get dinner on the table for yourself. Add some sauce of choice (creamy, tomato or olive oil), some veggies from the fridge or freezer, olives and cheese and the meal is ready. If I have some leftover chicken I’ll dice that up and add it to the dish. I usually heat this up in a large saute pan (skillet) to ensure proper heat distribution and to incorporate all ingredients. 7-12 mins. (depending on the amount of food) and Voila! Dinner is served.
Rice gets new life too. Whether it’s leftover from home or take out it’s easy to jazz up. Saute some mushrooms in some butter, add shallots and garlic, de-glaze the pan with chicken stock or dry white wine. Once reduced by half add the rice, salt and pepper to taste and you have a new side dish.
My focus for leftovers is to not eat the same thing the same way but to give the leftover a new look and flavor. Putting a new spin on it some may say.
Some leftovers just plain taste better the next day anyway. Chili, soups, mac n cheese, lasagna, and meatloaf to name a few. When their flavors have more time to mingle the outcome is much more delicious.
Leftovers…. it’s what’s for dinner!
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