How to use leftovers creatively
The 4th of July holiday is always a time to indulge in our favorite backyard recipes.
But what to do if the guests have left and you still have a fridge full of food?
Scripps News interviewed me about what to do with 4th of July leftovers to reduce food waste!
Which idea is your favorite?
Pork Ribs
Remove the meat and add a dousing of leftover barbecue sauce for the makings of a great pulled-pork sammie or pulled-pork panini. If you have leftover cheese, you can add it here.
Over sandwiched? Sauté some onions and peppers. Add your leftover pork and layer onto a tortilla. Add shredded cheese, top with a second tortilla and fry both sides. If you’re a beany lover, you can add some leftover baked beans here too. Quesadilla anyone?Brats
Slice leftovers into rings and add to tomorrow’s charcuterie board.
Don’t for get to add some mustard for dipping.
Add leftover brats to grilled cabbage. You probably didn’t use the whole head when you made your coleslaw.
Sauté the cabbage in butter and olive oil and add slices of crisp apple and butternut squash to round out the dish.
Hot Diggity Dogs
Let’s wrap these little piggies in puff pastry and create some pigs in a blanket. You can use some mustard with these too.
Coleslaw
Speaking of slaw, you can reconstitute your slaw by mixing in fresh cabbage. It will taste “good as new.”
Or let’s stir fry some leftover slaw in a skillet. Add a good douse of soy sauce and drizzle of honey and maybe some leftover grilled chicken. Freshen up the dish with chopped fresh peanuts and bean sprouts.
Burger Toppers
Leftover onions and tomatoes turn into tomorrow’s Pico de Gallo. Just add some fresh cilantro.
Pro Tip:
Reinvigorate your leftovers by freshening them up with herbs and spices and a touch of fresh veg.
Potato Salad
You can mash this up to create yummy potato pancakes. You might even add a bit of crab for a play on potato-crab cakes. Remember to serve with a great sauce… like remoulade.
Mac 'n Cheese
Cut your leftover mac and cheese into squares. Create a fry station by placing flour into a pie plate. In a second plate stir together eggs with water. In the third plate stir together bread crumbs with crushed corn flakes. Dip your square of mac ’n cheese first into flour, then into the egg (letting the excess drip off) and lastly into the crumbs. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or deep pot to 375°. Carefully lower the mac square into the oil. Fry until golden!
PS This fry station will work great for your leftover pickles! Serve with a spicy comeback sauce.
Flag Cake
Turn your leftover cake into cake pops. Or create a parfait layering cake with whipped cream and leftover fruit.
Cookies
Spread some softened ice cream between two leftover cookies. Dip the edges in your favorite sprinkle. Wrap in plastic and put in the freezer. Ice cream sandwiches for everyone!
Watermelon
Juice it up, add a squeeze of lime and a jigger of coconut milk and you have the perfect start to an after-fourth daiquiri…don’t forget the rum!
