Have you ever found yourself dreading the inevitable leftovers that come with cooking at home? While it’s great to have something already made for another meal, sometimes it can be difficult to think of a creative way to use them. Instead of just reheating and eating the same dish again and again, why not get creative and explore new recipes with your leftovers?
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some clever ideas for using those leftovers in delicious and inventive ways.
Soup it Up
You know that feeling when you open the fridge and see a bunch of leftovers staring back at you, but you’re just not in the mood to eat the same thing again? That’s where a little creativity and some soup-making skills come in handy.
Making soup from leftovers is not only a great way to reduce food waste, but it can also be a delicious and satisfying meal. Start by assessing what you have in your fridge and pantry. Leftover veggies that are starting to wilt? Perfect. Some protein from last night’s dinner? Even better.
Simply chop up the vegetables, add some broth (or a bouillon cube with water), your choice of spices, a can of tomatoes for some acidity, your leftover protein, and let it simmer to perfection. Voila, a brand new meal from yesterday’s leftovers!
Create a Stir Fry
Welcome to the world of stir fry! Specifically, welcome to the world of stir fry with leftovers – the perfect combination of creativity, resourcefulness, and deliciousness.
The beauty of stir fry lies in its versatility and ability to accommodate just about any leftovers you may have lurking in your fridge. Have some veggies that are on the brink of going bad? Throw them in there. Leftover rice or noodles from last night’s dinner? Perfect.
Now all you need is a protein of some sort, some garlic and ginger for flavor, your favorite soy sauce, and a splash of white vinegar. The key is to get your pan really hot, and to keep the ingredients moving —hence the name, “STIR-fry.”
Blend into a Smoothie
Overripe fruits or leftover dessert? Blend them into a refreshing smoothie, perfect for a quick breakfast or mid-day snack.
The options are endless — you can use a combination of fruits, your favorite yogurt or milk, and if you want to get real creative, try adding some greens like spinach, kale, or celery. Just throw it all in the blender with some ice cubes and blend for 30-45 seconds until everything is mixed together.
Amp Up Your Leftovers with Cannabis
If you live in an area where cannabis is legal, why not take your leftovers to the next level with some infused oil or butter?
Infusing your leftover meal with cannabis is a great way to get creative and even elevate the flavor of the dish. You can learn to infuse anything with this simple cannabis coconut oil recipe on Veriheal. Whether it’s beans and rice, or even leftovers from a restaurant, adding cannabis gives you a chance to enjoy those leftovers even
more.
Turn into a Casserole
Do you have some chicken, veggies, and rice leftovers? Perfect! Throw them all together in a baking dish, add a can of cream of chicken soup, and top with shredded cheese. Throw it in the oven until the cheese is melted and crispy, and you’ve got yourself a hearty chicken and rice casserole.
This recipe is pretty flexible too. It’s just built using a protein, a starch, some veggies, and a creamy soup or sauce —plus that cheese on top. The beauty of leftovers is that they’ve already been cooked, so all you really need to do is combine them and pop them in the oven.
Bake into a Quiche
Quiche is a great way to use leftovers without having to do much work. All you need are some eggs, a dash of milk, your choice of cheese, a pie crust, and whatever ingredients you have on hand.
The possibilities are endless — from diced ham and broccoli, to ground beef and bell peppers. You can get creative with just about any combination you can think of. Simply add your leftovers to the pie crust, whisk together some eggs and milk, pour that over top, sprinkle on some cheese, and bake until golden brown.
Conclusion
Leftovers don’t have to be boring. With a little imagination and creativity, you can take all of those ingredients that may otherwise go to waste and turn them into something special. From soup to quiche, there are plenty of delicious recipes out there to help you make the most out of your leftovers. So next time you open up your fridge and are faced with last night’s dinner, don’t be afraid to get creative!
