Leftovers

United States
October 7, 2008 12:46am CST
I grew up with lots of leftovers. Grandpa cooked for a small army and mom learned a lot from her parents. leftovers for lunches, repeat dinners and mix and match dinners were all great. My wife isn't fond of leftovers and wants a lot of variety. How do you feel about leftovers?
3 people like this
11 responses
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
7 Oct 08
I will eat them when I have them but I prefer meals that are cooked fresh every day. I would never throw away good leftovers.
2 people like this
• United States
7 Oct 08
That is how I am I do not say throw them away. I just think that somethings can be frozen for like a 2 weeks or so later. No need to eat them everyday for a week!
2 people like this
• United States
14 Oct 08
umm Carl we have a Chest freezer also!
1 person likes this
• United States
8 Oct 08
that would work better if the freezer wasn't 18"x14"x9". We can barly make Ice in there.
1 person likes this
@Shar1979 (2722)
• United States
22 Oct 08
I love leftovers. actually they taste more after a day or 2. depends on how you cook it. if there's tomatoes in it there it should only stay for 1 day. you can save money from eating leftover as well.
2 people like this
• United States
22 Oct 08
He sounds like he is related to Julia Child..LOL
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Oct 08
It always seems cheaper to buy in quantity. Cooking in quantity uses less energy in the long run and you can store the extra for later. Coking small portions uses to much energy for to little result but, if you have someone in the family who doesn't like leftovers it can be a waste and if they don't mind leftovers but demand variety you will need plenty of space to have several days worth of leftovers stored before you get around to eating them.
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
12 Nov 08
Since it's just Hubby and I we often have leftovers which is fine by us. We usually have them the next day or something. Somethings actually taste better reheated. [b]~~MY OWN PEACE WITHIN~~ **STAND STRONG AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF**[/b]
2 people like this
• United States
12 Nov 08
I'm the sort that can eat the same thing 4 days in a row. Three meals a day is enough variety for me. My wife would prefer not to have the same breakfast 2 days in a row most of the time.
1 person likes this
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
20 Nov 08
Lol, I grew up with lots of leftovers, too. If my mom just had a little bit of each left from a weeks worth of cooking, then all of us got a medley of food half a spoonful to a spoonful of each leftover item on our plate. She threw nothing away. It made for odd concoctions. But we also learned to eat it because we would get nothing else. My husband is very picky and loves variety just like your wife. I know that he grew up with a lot of waste. After I caught him throwing away leftover items that had been in the fridge for two days but would have made a nice meal for us the next day (hey trying to get the variety going and it wasn't spoiled), I sat him down and showed him how much money he had thrown out. It was a hard lesson to learn for him to not throw out food but to be creative as to what you can do with the rest. It just was something he was so used to. Need space in the fridge? Out with the old, in with the new. Doesn't matter that a little re-arranging could have made plenty of space.. Now with money being tight he appreciates the art of leftover cooking;)
2 people like this
• United States
20 Nov 08
Your message reminded me of a trick I haven't tried in a while. Back in the boy scouts we used to make "HoBo stew" we threw a bunch of leftovers in a pot and cooked them together for a meal. It's not all that appetizing unless you plan. do three or four meals of items that go well together and then make another meal out of the leftovers. it gets a whole new meal that can be different from the previous without losing food. i should add this to "how to boil water but I think i finished that thread: leftover chicken or beef and leftover vegies can go with rice to make a rice dish or toss them in a pot for a stew or soup. Leftover meats can be cut up, added to noodles and gravy for a cassarol and you can even add some kinds of veggies that go well. Potatoes are versatile and can be fried up or rebaked with other things for a breakfast or dinner side. Most meats make good hot or cold sandwiches. Sauces and gravies can give new life to a lot of foods with potatoes, rice or noodles to bulk it up for a full meal.
1 person likes this
@warrior_777 (1392)
• Philippines
11 Oct 08
I don't mind eating left over food. It's one way of saving money. And also some foods are taste even better after few hours.
• United States
14 Oct 08
I find that especially true with sauces, particularly tomato based. Chili, spagetti suce, soups, etc. The more they cook the better they get
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Oct 08
I like leftovers, depending on what it is. I grew up on leftovers. My daddy use to buy 5 packs of meat once a week. We ate leftover 2 out of the 5 days. Leftovers taste better the next day also because all of the flavors have settled into the dish. The only leftovers I will not eat the second day is smothered chicken, or chicken in gravy (as some call it). The smell of it just plain nauseates me!!!
• United States
14 Oct 08
I must admit tht some things just can't handle repeats. Sea food is a particular pet peave. I have had salmon steaks that were ok for the next day's lunch but most times fish and thelike are better eaten before they have a chane to cool down. After that forget it. i've noticed the same with some pizzas. Most are fine as leftovers but some just never reheat right and few taste good cold.
1 person likes this
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
7 Oct 08
I think leftovers are great. I grew up eating them and still eat alot of leftovers. Am eating a leftover bar-b-que sandwich right now for lunch. It's delicious. We eat out alot and I purposely order larger portions so I can have lunch the following day. Works for me!
2 people like this
• United States
8 Oct 08
that's what I'm talkin about
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Oct 08
Yesterdays leftovers are todays lunch. I live off that rules. Especially in the days we are in. Waste not, want not. It is a true statement. We will make 2 meals in 2 days and then for the next meal it is a free for all of the leftovers. With 4 kids we have to do something. I have 2 teens and they don't eat just a little bit. So we make quite a bit and then what ever is left is snacks and food for the coming days. My favorite is left over chili. Chili ALWAYS taste better the 2nd and 3rd time around. And it is easy to freeze.
2 people like this
• United States
8 Oct 08
chili, stew, soup, spaghetti sauce... if it can be made in bulk I tend to make enough to get several meals and then freeze it in butter tubs so I can get it out in smaller portions. Most of those things improve with more cooking so I like to reheat by simmering for a couple hours instead of nuking it.
2 people like this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
4 Feb 09
i eat leftovers all the time. food is too expensive to throw away. i cook for just me & never not have leftovers. i try not to cook enough i'm going to be eating them for a week. lol
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
5 Feb 09
another thing i do i keep a bowl in the freezer & when i have just a kittle bit of something left i put it in the bowl & add to it till i have enough to make soup. soup is one of my faves anyway. as i said food is too expensive to throw away.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Oct 08
I do eat left overs, I just don't want to eat the same thing for like 4 days in a row.. That is why they invited freezers right? When I had my Gallbladder out I told Carl that I wanted Kentucky Fried chicken. So being a nice guy he bought a bucket of chicken. And then we ate the whole bucket till it was gone, he never cooked for me...
• United States
8 Oct 08
Correction. i bought soup, jello and other things the doctor suggested. When we got home Louise insisted I buy a bucket of chicken. I suggested less but she insisted. I reminded her i didn't eat much chicken on the bone but she still insisted. Result: She got to eat a lot of chicken.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Oct 08
I love leftovers.
2 people like this
• United States
8 Oct 08
if I make something I like I make plenty for leftovers so I can enjoy it again.
1 person likes this