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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)
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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 |
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