The Leftover Queen

[Lorraine]

I think that's going to be my new name. All my meat etc is packaged for 3 people, with enough leftover for 2 of us to take for lunch. Now one person is gone for 6 months on business, not even home on weekends. so...I'm ending up with tons of leftovers. I can't keep up with them. I'll take leftovers to work for lunch, he won't.

As an example, yesterday I pulled out all these little packages of leftover veggies, and I had some pasta. Made a bechamel, added some stock, stuck it in a casserole, topped with crumbs and cheese ( darn it's good). But, now, instead of having all the little packages, I have a huge casserle. More leftovers!!! I divided it up and froze it for lunches. I still have pea soup I'll have to freeze tonight. And the remains of a roasted chicken. And the remains of a brisket. My staff love me for the dishes I bring them, but not economical for me.

What do you folks do with them all???

[pjcooks]

Don't look at me! I'm in exactly the same spot you are! More and more I'm using all the little leftovers to make one big leftover which I then bring to work to feed the catering students.

I need to remember to pare down the recipes for just one or two. Just can't stop cooking for 6 or 8 when there's only 1 or 2 of us.

Whenever possible, I vac seal pcs and freeze for my folks.
Out of sight, out of mind.

PJ

[bjcotton]

I can identify too. I'll have to rename the 800 lb gorilla to 600 lb gorilla. Not that he's getting any smaller, just what he eats is. Now he eats for 4 instead of 6!

[pjcooks]

PJ

[vannin]

Cooking for 2 has its downsides. True. We all need smaller pots. This Is true you know. But you can buy the very best ingreds. and spend every delicate minute creating perfection.

[pjcooks]

Well said, Dale, thanks for the reminder!

PJ

[cjs]

I still have trouble cooking the right amount of potatoes, I think that's the hardest for me to cut down on - when the kids were home, we went thru them like there was no tomorrow.

We have been eating out of the freezer for 6 months now - except for special cuts I need - and I'm bound and determined to clean it out! I'm down to no pork, except for some pakets of ham, which I really miss having. But, I'm going to do it.

I made a list of all I had and I'm slowly crossing off....slowly.

I love leftovers, I think that's when I get some of the tastiest dishes - that can never be exactly duplicated. darn.

[Roxanne 21]

I'm really good about cooking for the two of us---I hate to waste uneaten food in the disposal, or whatever. I make enough extra of the meat course and that will be fixed up somehow for lunch the next day with whatever else I may come up with. Very little is unused here--hubby has a GREAT appetite!! (and he's a good sport, most of the time!!!).

My major problem---I hoard meats when I see them in the markets because thay are not always available--then I have a tendency to forget that I have them and buy them again when I see them---now how CRS is that???

[Lorraine]

"he's a good sport"

The one person left here doesn't even want to play, let alone be a good sport! LOL My staff are loving it, they've been getting great lunches.