Use it up recipe ideas

[Sinclairwife]

I can't throw good food away, so I'm finding new ways to use it up. Consider these possibilities for your leftovers.

CHAMPAGNE:
Don't throw out that last bit of champagne, even if it's gone flat. Use it to make this exotic dressing for a beautiful fruit salad.

FRUIT SALAD DRESSING
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges with juice
1/2 cup flat champagne
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Place the mandarin oranges, with their syrup, in a medium-size saucepan. Add the champagne and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the mixture has reduced to about 1 cup. Remove from the heat and let cool. Place the cooled mixture in a blender, and process until smooth. Stir in the sour cream, honey, and poppy seeds.

SALAD DRESSINGS:
If your refrigerator is overcrowded with nearly empty bottles of salad dressing, don't throw them out. Combine all those oil and vinegar based dressings like French, Italian and Caesar (not creamy dressings) and cook with them. Here's one example:

SASSY CHICKEN
6 chicken thighs, skin removed
1/8 teaspoon each paprika and salt, combined
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup salad dressing (any oil and vinegar based)
1/4 cup chicken broth
chopped parsley for garnish

Sprinkle the chicken with the paprika-salt mixture. In a skillet with a tight-fitting lid, heat the olive oil and brown the onion lightly over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and brown on both sides. In a measuring cup, combine the salad dressing and chicken broth. Pour over the chicken. Cover and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 15 minutes, turn the chicken and cook for 10 minutes more, or until done. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. Makes 6 servings.

SPAGHETTI NOODLES:
Don't throw out those leftover noodles. Add diced raw vegetables and enough bottled Italian dressing to coat for an easy and refreshing pasta salad. They also make a great addition to stir-fry. Stir-fry noodles in 2 tablespoons hot oil for a few minutes; remove and set aside. Prepare your stir-fry and stir in the "fried" noodles last and you've got instant chow mein.

MASHED POTATOES:
Form balls of leftover mashed potatoes around cubes of cheese, roll in Parmesan cheese or breadcrumbs. Broil, turning often, until golden brown. So yummy!

[AmyMCGS]

Some good ideas- I like the chicken one, especially. Thanks!

[guest2]

Rice~use leftover rice to make rice pudding, fried rice, use it to stretch you sloppy joe or taco meat, taco rice, spanish rice, rice with hamburger, mushrooms, onions and brown gravy make a good combo.

[dmvezina]

Great ideas!
I have a book called "What to Cook When You Think There's Nothing in the House to Eat"

It gives recipes for all kinds of foods.