When I’m in my most frugal mindset, I think about what needs to be used up. If you grow vegetables, you “pick then cook.” If you’ve got some stuff in the fridge that needs using up, think about how you can incorporate that into tonight’s meal so it doesn’t go to waste.
Main Dishes from Leftovers
Leftover meat and/or veggies? Think fried rice or omelets or burritos.
Soup is another great way to put things to a new use. When I’m in a pinch for a vegetable, I can look to the freezer for frozen vegetables and make a cream of whatever soup usually.
Pizza or pasta is another great way to use up bits of odds and ends. So is quiche.
Using up Leftovers for Side Dishes
Sometimes you might just need a side dish. You can turn leftover cooked vegetables or fresh raw vegetables into a gratin if you’re using the oven or perhaps they can be grilled. You could also do a quick stir fry of mixed vegetables, like this.
Salad is a bit obvious perhaps, but think about adding bits of cheese, or salami, or nuts to your salad to spice it up a bit.
Leftover mashed potatoes can be turned into potato croquettes. Leftover baked potatoes make excellent fried potatoes.
Desserts from Leftovers
Fruit that needs to be used up can quickly be made into a crisp or cobbler. Stale bread can get remade into a bread pudding. Even leftover coffee can be put to good use in a coffee granita, although I admit that I usually make extra coffee for this.
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