Post-Holiday Fridge
DCL
Collin's post about what to remove from your refrigerator got me thinking. Chances are, your refrigerator is full of bit and pieces from meals consumed over the last week (or two). So, in addition to removing the condiments and vegetables that don't need cooling, why not clear out the food clutter before it turns into green slime in the vegetable crisper.
When my husband and his sister were kids they hated what they called "used food," but I have since taught my husband to love the leftover. The possibilities are endless. Here are 10 ideas about what you can do with the stuff that's been hanging around. You don't have to shop, the prep time is minimal, you're not wasting food, and you're not adding to your compost-plus, you get a clean refrigerator to start the new year. What could be better?1. Chop up any pieces of vegetables like red peppers, onions, or cooked potatoes and add some eggs and make a frittata.
2. Take those ends of cheeses and cut them up and make a multi-cheese omelette.
3. Or take the cheese and mix it with mashed potatoes and make a gratin.
4. Spinach a bit wilted? Heat is in a pan with a touch of oil and dress it with sesame oil, soy sauce, and sesame seeds, and make a Japanese style warm salad.
5. Take that leftover half tin of tomatoes, and add onions, garlic, and whatever vegetable bits you have and make a pasta sauce.
6. Make a Chinese vegetable stir-fry and toss in the leftover rice. Add soy sauce, some Szechwan chili sauce or black bean sauce and voila!
7. Do the same thing as Step 6 ,but add some green curry paste, some tofu, and that bit of coconut milk left and have a Thai stir-fry.
8. Tired of turkey sandwiches? Mix your leftover turkey and mashed potatoes with some onion, coat the mixture in egg and bread crumbs, and make turkey croquettes.
9. If you've got bits of cake and fruit, and maybe some cream around, try making a trifle.
10. My personal favourite is to toss everything that I think would go together into a big pot and make soup.
Difficulty level: Easy
