Preserve Leftovers for Later

If you are like me you never know what to do with a few leftovers. Sometimes I take them to lunch the next day but most of the time they sit in my fridge and I end up throwing them out. I have the perfect way to preserve all those leftovers. I call it the "must go" bag in other words everything must go there.

Step 1: Freezing

When I have a few vegetables, pasta, rice, or meat left over, I put it on a cookie sheet and put it in the freezer. Always drain your vegetables and pasta. You do not want to add water to the bag. The next day I but it in my "must go" bag. Never pour vegetables or other items directly into the bag unless they are frozen. If the items are warm they will start to thaw the items in your bag. As the days go on my "must go" bag starts to contain all kinds of vegetables and other leftovers.

Step 2: How to Make Soup

Once the bag gets full or it is one of those evenings and I just don't know what to fix I go to the freezer to use my left overs. My favorite thing to make is "must go" soup. I pour the bag into a pot and add a container of tomato juice and I have a wonderful vegetable soup. It doesn't take long to cook since the items were already cooked before they were frozen. Be careful adding additional salt or spices because you probably added salt the first time you cooked the item. Taste before you add spices.

Soup recipe

2 cups of "must go" vegetables

2 cups tomato juice.

1 tsp chicken paste (optional)

If there is no meat in my bag I add the chicken paste.

You can multiple this recipe based on the amount of vegetables you have.

Step 3: Other Options

This past week I added chicken to my bag so I am ready to make a pot pie. You will need one frozen pie crust. Take it out and let it thaw while you are mixing the other ingredients. On the stove melt two tablespoons of butter if there is no onion in the bag I saute the onion in the butter before adding the flour. Add two tablespoons flour and make a rue. Now add chicken broth and milk. Add your "must go" vegetables. Pour it in a casserole dish. Put the thawed pie crust on the top and bake at 350 degrees for 35 - 45 minutes. I add tin foil to the edges after about 30 minutes to keep the edges from burning.

Pot Pie

1 frozen or refrigerated pie crust

1 small onion if there is none in your bag

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

3 cups vegetables

2 1/2 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth.

1/2 cup milk

Step 4: Make Up Your Own

There are so many things you can make. Another favorite of ours is quiche. Be creative and let me know how you use your "must go" bag. Whatever you do it is a great way to preserve your leftovers and makes for a quick and easy dinner. You can also do the same think with fruit. Keep a separate bag for fruit and then use it in smoothies, yogurt or even when you are making muffins. Why let good food go to waste? You may enjoy it so much you make extra just to have leftovers. Enjoy.

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