Use It Up Tip: Cheesy Chili Rice

I do my best to use up leftovers, but sometimes leftovers aren't appetizing after a couple days. I had in my menu plan to make a hamburger rice dish this week, but hadn't decided exactly what. Then I saw the leftover chili and I came up with a great idea for using it up.
I cooked rice--6 servings. I didn't have enough brown rice left, so I mixed brown and white and cooked it for about 25 minutes. I layered 1/2 the rice, 1/2 the chili, and some American cheese slices followed by the rest of the rice, chili and some cheddar cheese. Then I baked it about 20 minutes or so, and supper was ready. Quick, easy and cheap, and it tasted good, too.

Use It Up Tip: Squash

I had some leftover butternut squash, so I decided to use it up by making squash soup. I didn't really follow a recipe, just took some ideas from recipes I had looked at. I love the V8 Campbell's Butternut Squash Soup--especially the little spicy kick it has--and was looking to make something similar. I used
2 cups cooked squash
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
Sprinkle of nutmeg
Bit of cayenne pepper (for that kick I was looking for)

I heated all the ingredients together, pureed in the blender, and topped with a bit of diced Granny Smith apple. Yum!

Use It Up Tip: Frosting

I make a conscious effort to use up leftovers before they have to be thrown out. My family is more likely to eat them, however, if they're re-purposed into something new instead of simply warmed over. From time to time, I post "Use It Up Tips," ideas for turning boring leftovers into something more exciting.

When I frost a cake or cupcakes with canned frosting, I never quite use it up. A great way to use it up is to frost plain cake donuts. Add sprinkles and you have a fun snack for you and/or the kids!

Use It Up Tip: Potatoes

I make a conscious effort to use up leftovers before they have to be thrown out. My family is more likely to eat them, however, if they're re-purposed into something new instead of simply warmed over. From time to time, I post "Use It Up Tips," ideas for turning boring leftovers into something more exciting.

One of my favorite way to use up leftover potatoes is to make fried potatoes as a side for another meal. I melt butter in a skillet, cut the potatoes into thin slices, sprinkle with dried onions and/or seasoning salt, and fry until crispy. I usually use baked potatoes (and often make 1 or 2 extra just for the leftover possibilities), but have used potatoes that have been cooked with meat, or boiled potatoes.

Thanksgiving Leftovers

One of the great things about hosting Thanksgiving is the leftovers you get to eat! We ate our Thanksgiving meal at around 4 p.m. on Thursday. We've been eating leftovers ever since!
Friday lunch--Everyone loaded up their plate with what they wanted and heated it up in the microwave
Friday supper--The kids and I had turkey quesadillas (just chopped up turkey and shredded cheddar cheese between two tortillas, heated in the oven for 5-10 minutes, until cheese is melted; serve with sour cream and/or salsa) and Barry had grilled turkey and cheese sandwiches.
Saturday--I picked the extra meat off the turkey carcass and ended up with about 4 cups. Then I put the carcass in a pot and covered with water. I simmered this for an hour or so, removed the carcass, strained the broth through a towel, and will make turkey soup with it.
Saturday supper--I mixed the leftover mashed potatoes, stuffing and corn with a little sour cream, formed them into patties that I cooked on the griddle. I mixed leftover turkey and gravy and heated up on the stove. I served the turkey mixture over the potato/stuffing patties.
Sunday--Turkey and rice soup for supper, using the bits of turkey that are left and the broth I made yesterday.
That's a lot of meals for a $5 turkey!