Leftovers! That’s what I’ve got. I had my family come to visit (no I durn sure didn’t put turkey on the table) and they are picky eaters. I had vegetarian beans, French bread (so I didn’t have to juggle cooking cornbread with all the other baked goods), a fruit platter, and a baked potato bar with all the trimmings. But, I didn’t stop there.
I had a salad bar that would rival the finest restaurant, because I do love a good salad — especially if you offer me funky things like edamame and bean sprouts. There was barbecued chicken (because I didn’t want the carnivores in the family to chew my leg off). Top that off with a chocolate birthday cake, and it made for quite a feast.
But now, I have to figure out the leftovers! They didn’t dig into the salad fixings the way I thought they would, so I’m getting creative with all those chopped fresh vegetables. If I don’t use them up, they will go bad in a hurry. This morning, I treated Mr. Tucker to an omelet that had chopped chive, mushroom, and bell pepper in it. We liked it, of course –but I think I liked lunch a little better.
I decided to make a pasta salad because I didn’t want to look at any more lettuce. Today, I used 2 cups of finely chopped salad vegetables. You pick your own “poison” on that one. I had carrots, onion, broccoli, bell pepper, cucumber, radishes, tomatoes, celery, mushrooms, edamame, and sprouts. Mix those together with a couple of teaspoons of Italian style salad dressing and then season it to taste.
THEN, boil about a handful of pasta per person. I use a quick cooking brand that I really like, but if you want to make it “pretty” you can use farfalle (bow-tie pasta) or other noodles. Drain the pasta, rinse it in cool water and add it to the vegetables. Stir in a few tablespoons of marinara sauce, and you have yourself a fine meal from leftover salad fixings.
Over the next few days, I think we will be eating a lot of stir fried foods and Italian foods to use up those bell peppers and mushrooms. Anybody know something good to do with carrots or celery? It has to be something that disguises the carrots, because Mr. Tucker is not fond of orange vegetables. I’m plumb out of ideas.
Looks like I’ll be getting plenty of fiber in my diet, so I won’t need that Metamucil!
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Have you thought of candied carrots? They are still orange but it’s a great excuse for eating veggies drenched in brown sugar!
Now, I would eat them, but Mr. Tucker will not. I tried to sell him on them, but no go. Thanks for the suggestion, though.
How about carrot cake?? You could throw the celery in it too – he would never know!!! BUT a friend of mine got me hooked on celery as a SNACK!! The trick is to cut it in small chunks. Then baggie it up & throw it in your purse! Great to munch on. Could add raisins or nuts or bacon (tee hee) to the mix too.
Carrot cake is good, and I might be able to fool him. I could even put chocolate chips in it. Yeah, I eat celery as a snack…but you can slice it and freeze it for cooking! Do you do that?
Carrot cake!
We had our version of pasta salad all week while dog sitting. Yummy.
I think you lured them away from the salad fixings with those mashed potatoes!
Marcias last blog post..As If Procrastination Was Not Enough
The mashed potatoes were indeed a hit… Carrot cake is calling me.
Oh, I totally second the candied carrots idea!!! YUM!
Additionally, for the celery, try revisiting the old childhood favorite of snacking on them with peanut butter as a “dip.” Refreshing and a good protein-packed mid-afternoon pick-me-up!
Dip them in hazelnut chocolate butter! mmmm.
Definitely joining the carrot cake crowd here or maybe Glorious Morning muffins http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,164,158182-253193,00.html
I have never made them, but have eaten plenty.
There’s always a chicken pot pie that you could make with the left over vegies with a store bought roaster if you are feeling lazy enough.
Jennymcbs last blog post..And Then Laziness settled in
Thanks for the link to the recipe. Sounds good. So does chicken pot pie…but my pie crusts are awful!