Leftovers – say the word and watch all the people cringe. I totally get it – eating the same thing, three nights in a row, is no fun. But leftovers can be so much more than the same old, same old – you just have to have a plan of attack. With a little extra thought (aka, a meal plan) leftovers will save you beau coups of time, effort and money.
- Do Use Clear Containers – You need to be able to see what’s in your refrigerator. If you can’t see it, you will forget about. These are my favorite containers for leftovers. Ziploc Bags are pretty amazing too.
- Don’t Mix Everything Together – This is especially true when it comes to salads. If you don’t want your leftover lettuce to be wilted, don’t mix it all together. Keep the ingredients separate. Just let everyone build their own!
- Do Eat Leftovers For Lunch – I get ecstatic when I can incorporate leftovers into my lunch the next day. Saves me so much time in the AM. Mostly, I end up tossing whatever the leftover meal is on top of some arugula. It just works. And don’t just think of you – the kids can eat leftovers for school too.
- Do Build In A Leftovers Night – There are many nights my meal plan will provide you with plenty of leftovers – unless you are married to Patrick Duffy, a.k.a. the endless pit. That man can eat, and eat, and eat and never gain a one lb. My point – when you believe you can count on having leftovers, don’t plan an additional meal. Instead, plan a different side, or add in a salad. This will definitely save you $.
- Don’t Discount The Reheating Process – Just because it’s already cooked, doesn’t mean you can’t mess it up. When using the microwave, place a damp paper towel over your food to avoid drying it out. Also, don’t place an entire casserole in the microwave – cut into single servings to reheat faster, without over cooking.
- Do Adjust The Seasonings – Food tends to get a little bland, hanging out in the fridge, so make sure to add some flavor back in with seasonings. Oh, and cheese – cheese makes everything better.
- Don’t Be Afraid To Mix It Up – Turn baked chicken into BBQ chicken pizza or steak salad into tacos. Get creative with what you have. This works really well for the kiddos.
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