What's Cooking with Leftovers and New Recipes?

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Discussion Overview

This thread features participants sharing their dinner plans and experiences with cooking, particularly focusing on using leftovers and trying new recipes. Various meal ideas and personal anecdotes about cooking are exchanged, highlighting the diversity of approaches to dinner preparation.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions trying a new recipe for Mustard Pork Chops with Gnocchi.
  • Another participant shares that it is a fend-for-yourself night due to personal plans.
  • Several participants discuss comfort food options, such as Spinach and Cheese Ravioli and burgers.
  • One participant expresses a lack of motivation for cooking, opting for convenience foods like frozen pizza and salads.
  • Another participant describes a meal of General Tso's chicken and steamed dumplings from a newly found Chinese restaurant.
  • One participant shares their experience of making a ham and cheese omelet roll, contingent on feeling well enough to cook.
  • Several participants engage in a light-hearted discussion about making simple dishes sound gourmet.
  • One participant reflects on the challenges of cooking for a family, particularly with leftovers and portion sizes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on meal preparation, with some participants favoring convenience and others trying new recipes. No clear consensus emerges regarding preferred cooking methods or meal choices.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and preferences related to cooking, often influenced by family dynamics and individual schedules. The thread captures a variety of meal ideas, showcasing the informal nature of home cooking.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for relatable cooking experiences and meal ideas may find this discussion engaging.

rennea
rennea
Gold Member
Messages
3,662
Well it's the end of the work week for most. (Not me!!)

I have so much food in the house now I'm having trouble deciding what to have :)

Tonight I think we are having........


Mustard Pork Chops w/ Gnocchi :chef: It's a new recipe I'm trying from Nigella Express.
 
It is fend for yourself night at the Smith house. Mommy is going out with the girls for dinner and a movie!
 
It's cool and stormy here today - so I'm thinking Spinach and Cheese Ravioli w/ pasta sauce, a mixed greens salad w/ orange-poppyseed dressing, and garlic toast.
 
My brother is getting married - so its fend for yourself here - most likely have the oldest grab some pizzas for the gang!!!
 
Not sure here. I have to cook for the guys that mow at the fairgrounds tonight. We're on the fair board & our fair grounds are kept up by the members. The guys mow & the women cook. Although, some of the men have been known to bring a dish that they made & the women do some of the mowing.

I'm doing burgers & chips. A couple of the wives are bringing side dishes.
 
DH will be at a friend's house, working on his car, so I'm on my own. Last week I had pancakes on Friday night (and I just finished the last of them for breakfast this morning). I have no idea what I'll end up having - probably toast.
 
If it weren't so far, I'd be crashing Becky's dinner tonight - sounds yummy!

DH is OOT so DS and I will probably go out for dinner. He has a baseball game at 7:00 and I need to decorate 4 dozen cup cakes to look like baseballs for the end of season party tomorrow.
 
I've got a pc party tonight so I'll be making deluxe cheeseburger salad for the ladies. DH and DS can grab a burger.
 
Well, I suppose since I've said this fro about 3 days in a row I should actually get around to making it. Once again I'm going to make the ham and cheese omelet roll with cheesy hashbrowns and turkey sausage. I have a screaming headache right now, so if I can get rid of it, that's what we will have. If not- everyone is on their own.
 
Too- funny- I changede my avitar last night. I Simpsonized myself and after I posted my post I was like- WHERE DID I GO?! I had forgotten that I changed my picture and that the post I was looking at was infact mine!

I'm such a dork!
 
ChefBeckyD said:
It's cool and stormy here today - so I'm thinking Spinach and Cheese Ravioli w/ pasta sauce, a mixed greens salad w/ orange-poppyseed dressing, and garlic toast.
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Seriously? My dh hasn't been home for dinner all week, and I just can't get myself to care about dinner. I eat a big salad and feed my kids something easy with fruit and dark green lettuce on the side. French bread pizza, chicken nuggets, frozen pizza, turkey sausage patties and cinnamon sugar toast (that was the most I "worked" on dinner this week.) I'm running out of original convenience foods, though. I need to save the other frozen pizza for Sunday lunch. I am using my PC products for every meal.
 
JAE said:
Seriously? My dh hasn't been home for dinner all week, and I just can't get myself to care about dinner. I eat a big salad and feed my kids something easy with fruit and dark green lettuce on the side. French bread pizza, chicken nuggets, frozen pizza, turkey sausage patties and cinnamon sugar toast (that was the most I "worked" on dinner this week.) I'm running out of original convenience foods, though. I need to save the other frozen pizza for Sunday lunch. I am using my PC products for every meal.
Click to expand...


The Ravioli IS convenience food, but it's also comfort food. I get it at Costco. It's a refrigerated, organic ravioli. A couple years ago they were demoing it when Micah and I were in Costco, and we tried it and he cried for more.....it's sooooo good! Salad is easy, because I always have different greens in the fridge, and just add some sliced peppers, cukes, and strawberries. Stick some frozen garlic toast in the oven - this is a dinner I can pull off in 15 minutes!:D :p
 
Maybe you should write menus because it sounded like an item off a fancy Italian restaurant menu.
 
JAE said:
Maybe you should write menus because it sounded like an item off a fancy Italian restaurant menu.
Click to expand...

It's all part of my love-affair with food.:o
 
  • Thread starter
  • #15
JAE said:
Maybe you should write menus because it sounded like an item off a fancy Italian restaurant menu.
Click to expand...


I'm sure Becky could make Mac & Cheese sound gourmet:chef:
 
That would be: Crescents of the finest pasta, cooked until al dente, and served nestled in a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with delicate crunchy crumbs.
 
chefann said:
That would be: Crescents of the finest pasta, cooked until al dente, and served nestled in a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with delicate crunchy crumbs.
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LOL - How about: the finest al dente pasta, smothered in a melange of 4 creamy cheeses, and topped with a crust of buttery, lightly seasoned crouton crumbs.
 
ChefBeckyD said:
LOL - How about: the finest al dente pasta, smothered in a melange of 4 creamy cheeses, and topped with a crust of buttery, lightly seasoned crouton crumbs.
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Add some pancetta to that and you've got yourself a deal! :)
 
Kitchen Diva said:
Add some pancetta to that and you've got yourself a deal! :)
Click to expand...

DS won't eat the meat......so Mac & Cheese is a vegetarian dish here - but have you tried the BLT Mac & Cheese in the 29 Minutes cookbook? That is delicious!
 
We have FINALLY located a Chinese Restraunt in the area, so I will be having General Tso's chicken and steamed dumplings. I can not believe that people around here do not eat Chinese Food!!! That is the ONLY thing I miss from our old neighborhood, in fact, we stopped in there last time we were in the area, and BEGGED him to come here and open a resteraunt.
 
ChefBeckyD said:
DS won't eat the meat......so Mac & Cheese is a vegetarian dish here - but have you tried the BLT Mac & Cheese in the 29 Minutes cookbook? That is delicious!
Click to expand...
Yes I did, but I must have done something wrong because it did not turn out, and DH did NOT like it. The leeks were given a thumbs down. :)

A lot of my cheesy pasta dishes call for pancetta or ham- so I'm addicted to pancetta now! :)
 
So, DH came home from work, and wanted to go immediately to an RV supply store to pick up some things we need for our new camper. He suggested we eat at the Arnie's that is on the way there - so the Spinach Ravioli will have to wait for another night!:thumbup:

For dinner I had a 1/2 of a Veggie Panini Caprese, and a 1/2 of a Bruschetta Bistro Salad. Yummy!
 
We ended up out tonight. My daughter got a fish fry and I had a french dip on croissant and tomato bisque.
 
We had left over spaghetti from last night. We have enough left over to feed an army! (I will know I have made it as a chef when I can make the perfect amount of spaghetti for the people who are eating it!) We decided that we are going to try not to go out much this week, so it looks like it will be spaghetti for all week long! Not really, as much as I like spaghetti, I could never eat it that much!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some creative ways to use leftovers in new recipes?

Leftovers can be transformed into exciting new dishes by incorporating them into casseroles, stir-fries, or soups. For example, leftover roasted vegetables can be added to a frittata, while cooked meats can be used in tacos or salads. Experimenting with sauces and spices can also help to reinvent your leftovers.

How can I ensure my leftovers are safe to eat?

To ensure leftovers are safe to eat, store them in airtight containers and refrigerate them within two hours of cooking. Consume leftovers within three to four days, and always reheat them to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before eating. If in doubt, it's best to discard any questionable leftovers.

What are some quick recipes I can make with common leftovers?

Some quick recipes include fried rice with leftover vegetables and proteins, a hearty soup using leftover meats and broth, or a pasta dish with a creamy sauce and any remaining veggies. You can also create a sandwich or wrap using leftover meats, cheeses, and fresh produce.

Can I use Pampered Chef tools to help with leftover recipes?

Absolutely! Pampered Chef offers a variety of kitchen tools that can make using leftovers easier, such as the Quick Slice for prepping vegetables, the Mix 'N Chop for breaking up meats, and the Rockcrok for versatile cooking methods. These tools can help streamline the process and make cooking with leftovers more efficient.

What are some tips for meal prepping with leftovers?

When meal prepping with leftovers, portion out meals into individual containers for easy grab-and-go options. Label each container with the date and contents, and consider freezing portions for later use. Planning your meals around your leftovers can also help reduce waste and save time during the week.

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