What to do with Leftovers

What to do with those leftovers! Don’t throw them away, this is wasting money. There are so many things you can do and make with leftovers or food that is getting older or too ripe. Like most families, my children do not like leftovers.  So here are a few ways to use those leftovers without the children knowing about it.

1.       Use those leftover vegetables in omelets for breakfast or make a vegetable soup for lunch or dinner.

2.       Make some smoothies from fruit or vegetables. Take your very ripe fruit and freeze them to be used later for smoothies. I like to freeze raspberries, apples, strawberries and pears. All these can also be used in pies or sauces at a later date.

3.       Make your own stocks and broths from the meat and vegetable trimmings. After I make a roast or chicken I take the leftover juices and turn them into stock for soups and gravies. Just freeze the juices and use at a later date. Why buy broth and gravy from the store when you can make your own.

4.       Freeze those crusts or stale bread. I like to use these for French toast and homemade bread crumbs. Take your bread crumbs add a little olive oil and spice and bake. French toast, all you need is a couple scrambled eggs and milk and a little cinnamon. Dunk your bread in mixture and fry them up.

5.       We do not go out to eat very often, but when we do we ask for a takeout container. Most meals are way too large so the leftovers become a meal for the next day. Another great way to save is to split a meal .Just ask your server to bring two plates and share your meal. I do this a lot with the children because they can’t eat a big meal by themselves.

6.       Once a week clean out your refrigerator. Anything that doesn’t get eaten is now put in the freezer.

7.       Even though the children don’t like leftovers, I declare a day free so mom does not have to cook. Every leftover is taken out and is laid on the table. Everybody takes there pick and makes their own meal. This is a way to have no arguments, because everybody gets to choose their own meal.

Be creative with those leftovers and the whole family will be happy.  Throwing away food is a waste of money. As you can tell I do everything possible to save money.  Being a stay at home mom means finding any way possible to cut costs. Another food savings tip from Suzie Homemaker.