How To Love Leftovers - Mash Potato Bake
So there I stood, peering into the depths of the fridge trying to figure out what to cook for lunch. Lurking in the frigid gloom was a bowl of leftover mashed potatoes, two rashers of fried bacon, and the end bit of a block of cheddar cheese. Now, we rarely have left over food. This is partially because we are greedy and partly because I am pretty good at exercising portion control, so dealing with leftovers is rarely an issue....until today.
The thing about using leftovers is you have to use your imagination. Think of flavor combinations and use your instincts. For example, I know that bacon and cheese make great toppings for baked potatoes so why not combine them with the mash to make a casserole. I cut the fried bacon into bits and stirred it into the mash potatoes.
An onion, diced and sweated in a little oil was added to the mix along with an egg, a liberal sprinkling of garlic powder, mixed dried herbs, and a dash of salt and pepper for seasoning. I poured the mixture into a buttered baking dish and topped it with a bit more shredded cheddar. After about 30 minutes in a hot oven it came out golden brown with lovely bits of toasted cheese on top.
And in just a few moments, all the leftovers were gone! No recipe required.
Do you have a favourite way to make the most of your leftovers? I'd love it if you'd share your ideas in the comments section.
The thing about using leftovers is you have to use your imagination. Think of flavor combinations and use your instincts. For example, I know that bacon and cheese make great toppings for baked potatoes so why not combine them with the mash to make a casserole. I cut the fried bacon into bits and stirred it into the mash potatoes.
An onion, diced and sweated in a little oil was added to the mix along with an egg, a liberal sprinkling of garlic powder, mixed dried herbs, and a dash of salt and pepper for seasoning. I poured the mixture into a buttered baking dish and topped it with a bit more shredded cheddar. After about 30 minutes in a hot oven it came out golden brown with lovely bits of toasted cheese on top.
And in just a few moments, all the leftovers were gone! No recipe required.
Do you have a favourite way to make the most of your leftovers? I'd love it if you'd share your ideas in the comments section.
Excellent, I waste nothing x
ReplyDeleteIt is a crime to waste food when so many have so little. Fortunately, the idea of reducing food waste is becoming increasingly popular. Well done you for being a clever cook. x
DeleteLeftovers are the bane of my life! However, it must be said that I am getting better at using up my leftovers. I made gammon one night and then used the leftovers in a creamy pasta dish the next day. Old veggies go straight into a bolognese sauce - pureed and mixed in with tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteWill definitely have to look at your idea and make mashed potato bakes or use it as a pie topping .... you have definitely inspired me! :0)
I love your idea of adding veggies to pasta sauce. That's a great way to sneak more veg into a meal. : D
DeleteI love mash potato, combined with bacon and cheese mmm heaven!
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with cheese and bacon... ever! : )
DeleteLeftovers are always a challenge I find, but I am determined to get more inventive with them. Thank you for the inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteI try very hard not have any leftovers but we can always find a way to use up any extra potatoes. : D
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