Tag Archives: #leftovermeals

Summer zucchini and squash tart

  • 1 sheet puff pastry or pie crust dough
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder or minced garlic
  • 1 tsp salt, divided
  • Black pepper
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ cup shredded cheese (use your favorite)
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dill weed
  • Olive oil
  • 1 egg
  • 1 medium yellow squash, cut into thin rounds (about 1 cup)
  • 1 medium zucchini, cut into thin rounds (about 1 cup)

Let the puff pastry or pie crust come to room temperature. Lightly flour a board and place the dough on top. Sprinkle a little flour on top and smooth over dough. Carefully roll the dough until it is about 1/8-1/4” thick and a little larger than the pan you are using.

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, parsley, dill, egg, ½ teaspoon salt, and mix well. Fold in half of the cheese. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, yellow squash, ½ teaspoon salt, red pepper flakes, and drizzle with olive oil (about 2-3 tablespoons). Add pepper to taste and mix well. Make sure that the squash is lightly covered with seasoning and oil.

Preheat the oven to 350F.

If using a non-stick pan, lightly spray with oil. Gently lay the rolled dough over the pan and press into pan. There should be enough dough to hang over the top of the pan. You’ll trim this off before putting it into the oven.

Once the dough is in the pan, spread a thin layer of the ricotta mixture in the bottom (about 2 tablespoons). Taking the zucchini and yellow squash, arrange in a single layer on top of the ricotta. Add another layer of ricotta on top of the squash. This layer should be thicker, and will take around ¼ cup depending on the pan used.

Repeat the squash and ricotta layers until you reach the top of the pan. You want to end with a thin ricotta layer. Carefully trim the dough at the edge of the pan. If you have enough dough left, you can cut into shapes or make a decorative edge around the pan.

Top with the remaining cheese and bake 40-50 minutes, until the crust is golden and the squash is soft when poked with knife.

Remove from the oven and let cool at least 30 minutes before serving. This can be served warm or at room temperature.

Notes:

You can substitute asparagus for the squash and zucchini, but check the tart after 30 minutes in the oven. If it isn’t done then let it bake another 10-15 minutes, checking it every 5 minutes.

This is a great way to use whatever you have on hand for cheese and any leftover cooked vegetables or meat. Make sure to thinly slice or dice the meat used so that the tart is easy to eat.

Pie Milkshakes

Shake ’em if you got ’em. Leftover pie can be used in so many different ways. Breakfast with hot beverage is one way (shhhhh, don’t tell anyone), but you can always take that last piece of pumpkin or apple pie and make a delicious milkshake in just a few minutes. Add some rainbow sprinkles or shaved chocolate an you have a party!

Ingredients
1/4-1/2 cup cold milk (you can also use your favorite milk substitute)
1 cup vanilla ice cream
1 small slice of pie (or 1/2 a larger piece), cut into chunks
toppings (optional): candy sprinkles, shaved chocolate, whipped cream

In blender, place ice cream and 1/4 cup milk. Cover and blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add pie chunks; cover and blend until smooth, stopping blender to scrape down sides if necessary. Add additional milk, a splash at at time, if the milkshake is too thick. Blend until smooth.

Pour into a fancy glass and top with candy sprinkles, whipped cream, or chocolate shavings. Serve immediately.

This recipe makes one shake, but you can easily double it to share with someone.

Stuffing Waffles

Stuffing or dressing is a standard side dish for turkey or other poultry. Often, once the meal is over and there are dribs and drabs of vegetables, stuffing, and gravy. What better way to make a completely new meal with what you have on hand? The best part is that you can use whatever is available.

Ingredients

2 cups leftover stuffing

1 egg

Chicken or vegetable stock, or water, as needed

2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)

Non-stick spray or vegetable oil

Preheat the waffle maker.

In a large bowl, stir together the leftover stuffing, parsley, and egg. If the stuffing seems a little dry, add chicken broth or water a few tablespoonfuls at a time and mix until well combined. Continue adding chicken broth or water as needed until the mixture is well-moistened (but not soggy).

Grease the heated waffle maker with cooking spray or oil.

Scoop 1/2-3/4 cup of the stuffing mixture into the prepared waffle iron, spreading it evenly. Close the lid and let the waffle bake until golden brown and the egg is cooked throughout.

Transfer the waffle to a serving plate then repeat the filling and baking process with the remaining stuffing. Serve the waffles with turkey a la king gravy and enjoy.

NOTES:

Make sure that the vegetables in the stuffing/dressing are relatively small. This will ensure even baking of the waffle.

Don’t repeatedly open the waffle baker while the waffle is baking or it will pull apart.

Stuffing waffles take longer to cook than regular waffles, because the egg must be completely cooked throughout. Don’t be afraid to let the waffle bake until it’s golden brown and crispy.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with topping with chili, cheese, pulled pork, or whatever is your favorite topping.

Turkey a la King

Turkey gravy is so delicious, and often you have a cup or two left over after a holiday meal. With just a few ingredient and 10 minutes you can create a whole new meal with it.

Ingredients

1 1/2-2 cups gravy (use whatever you have on hand, store-bought is ok)

1-1 1/2 cups mixed vegetables (if using green bean casserole, dice the green beans to bite-sized)

Chicken or vegetable stock, or water, as needed

1/2 tsp. mustard

3/4 cup diced turkey

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

salt and pepper, to taste

Drain the vegetables and place in a medium saucepan.

Add the leftover gravy, turkey, and mustard to the pan and heat on medium low. If the gravy is too thick, add broth or water, a few tablespoons at a time.

Heat until simmering, cooking constantly. You don’t want the bottom to scorch. Add Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper to taste.

Once everything is heated through, about 5 minutes, remove from heat.

You can use this to top mashed potatoes, savory waffles, potato croquettes (tots), or even a toasted roll.

Mashed Potato Tots

Have leftover mashed potatoes? Take them to a whole new level. This easy recipe can be put together in a short time, and you can have the kids help with shaping them.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups leftover mashed potatoes

1 egg

2 tbsp chopped chives

1/4 cup flour

1 tsp onion powder

panko crumbs

Mix mashed potatoes, egg, chives, onion powder, and half of the flour together in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined.

If the texture is too loose, add additional flour one tablespoon at at time. Mix well. You want the consistency to be like clay. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 15 minutes. This will give the flour time to rehydrate.

Add panko crumbs into a bowl for rolling.

Using a small scoop or two teaspoons, drop spoonfuls into the panko and completely coat. Gently remove and shake off excess. Place on a parchment paper or wax paper lined baking sheet. You want to fill up the baking sheet, but the tots should not touch.

Using your fingers, press the potato cakes into a log shape. Place the pan into the freezer for at least an hour, and up to overnight.

When you are ready to cook them, heat up cooking oil to 350F, then add in 5-8 frozen tots into the hot oil. You don’t want to crowd them so they can cook evenly. Flip over after 3-4 minutes and cook until golden brown. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Note:

You can make these ahead of time and only pull out as much as you need. Store them in a sealed plastic bag in the freezer.

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