Week 7: Using Scary Leftovers

I also recommend Panko bread crumbs.

Last week was one of those weeks where I tried to cook out of the fridge so we could clear it out before we go on vacation.  I've never taken the time to organize my fridge and pantry to have the perfect blend of goods as recommended by numerous cooks and cookbooks out there today.  Part of the reason is I simply don't have the space!  I can't have two different bags of frozen fruit, three frozen veggies, and then every type of frozen meat, a couple prepared meals, and baby food.  It just isn't going to happen.

The more I cook, the bigger the
bags of onions I buy.

So I've learned to make use of leftovers that I have while buying a few fresh ingredients.  We have learned, over the course of five years of marriage, what recipes we eat on a monthly basis.  This has enabled me to gather a few leftover recipes that make the best use of those leftovers.  For example, Zach loves lasagna and we usually make a stir fry some time during the week.  What I end up with for leftovers is spicy sausage and white rice.  With a couple tomatoes, an egg, seasonings, and a few pantry staples like bread crumbs and onions I can make fabulous meat stuffed peppers.  All I had to buy was two red peppers with relatively flat bottoms and follow the basic stuffed pepper recipe in my "Joy of Cooking".  (And I buy organic peppers because they are on the dirty-dozen list but that's a comment for another time.)

Get the recipe under veggies!

While I know that quality ingredients make all the difference, sometimes a busy cook has to keep to the basics and know what the family enjoys.  I would recommend that you start to keep track of your meals - I have a small fridge calendar that I write the meals for the week on.  This way you can look back and see what you will have for leftovers and not only save money shopping, but save time and space in your kitchen!  Some day I will find one of those recommended kitchen staples lists and put it to good use, but in the mean time I am working on finding a balance all my own.

Good luck with your leftovers!
Melissa