A QUICK GUIDE TO MAKING THE MOST OF LAST NIGHT'S DINNER

Variety is important in our diet and keeps us interested in our food. It is especially important as we try to stay healthy and safe during this pandemic. This may be the reason designated leftover nights are dreaded by children and parents alike. Leftovers have gotten a bad rap, and the word “leftover” itself makes foods sound dull and unappealing; however, they can be used as ingredients to create exciting new meals! Cooking once for multiple meals can save us time, stretch our food budget, and combat food waste to save the environment.  If you’re stuck in a rut with your leftovers, don’t just reheat and eat. Liven up your grain, protein, and veggie leftovers with the following tips: 

1. Make soup by adding beans from Tuesday’s tacos to broth. Sick of soup? Switch it up and serve leftover soup over rice or a baked potato.

2. Just add eggs to transform your leftovers. Toss barley or broccoli into an omelet, quiche, or frittata.

3. Make a melt or sandwich using yesterday’s meat, veggies, and bread. Add fun sauces or spreads like Sriracha or avocado mayo to change up the flavor!

4. Stuff peppers, squash, or pasta to make a new meal. Fill them up with last night’s quinoa and ground turkey.

5. Spruce up your pasta with Sunday’s ingredients.  Experiment with extra chicken and add pesto!

6. Repurpose your rice into a stir-fry or fried rice dish. Add peppers, protein, and sauce. Try teriyaki, peanut or curry sauce!

7. Make loaded nachos or quesadillas with whatever ingredients you have on hand. Top them with beans, brown rice, avocado, chopped fresh veggies, and Greek yogurt.

Think “ingredients”, not leftovers, and get creative! Be sure to store your leftovers safely- rotate the oldest foods to the front of the fridge where they are easy to see and label them with the date they were made. Most leftovers can last 3-4 days in the refrigerator, but check foodsafety.gov for the safe storage of each ingredient, and make sure to reheat to an internal temperature of 165°F. Remember, you can always freeze for a later date!

 

“Leftover” Barley, Black Bean, and Corn Frittata

Servings: 8                                          Prep Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

            2 tsp olive oil

            2 cups leftover barley (or other grain of your choice) 

            1 (15-oz) can black beans, rinsed 

            1 cup corn (can use fresh, frozen, or canned)

            1 green bell pepper, chopped

            ½ medium red onion, chopped

            1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

            7 eggs

            ¼ cup milk

            1 pinch salt

            1 tsp pepper

            Salsa (optional, for serving)

            Greek yogurt (optional, for serving)

1.        Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a skillet or casserole dish with olive oil.

2.        Layer barley, beans, vegetables, and ½ cup cheddar cheese in the baking dish.

3.        Whisk eggs with milk, salt, and pepper.

4.        Pour egg mixture into baking dish, and bake for 30 minutes or until set in the middle.

5.        Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top and bake for 5 minutes longer.

6.        Top with salsa and Greek yogurt to serve.

Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 325 calories, 39.5g carbohydrate, 11g fat, 18g protein, 236mg sodium