Dealing with leftovers

Leftovers ... Just the mere sound makes most people cringe. Re-heated food isn't the most favourable thing to eat for most people. A really simple trick to make reheated food taste good is: Adjust the seasoning. Most food goes bland when reheated, so by seasoning it you revive it.

To be honest, I am one of those people who doesn't like eating the same food over and over again (with the rare exception here and there). And yes, a minimum of 5 out of 7 times a week I cook and most of the time it is not what we had the day before. I guess it is no wonder my kids eat a lot of varied foods, they just don't know it any other way.

First, let's think what usually gets cooked too much of?

In my family it is rice, potatoes, vegetables (side dish), beans and lentils. Very often we also have a little bit of meat or chicken that for some reason did not find their way into our stomachs.

So, what can you do when you have cooked too much?

Potatoes
Whether they're baked, cooked or mashed, potatoes can be easely turned into a new meal with ease. In fact, they're just as versatile the second time around as they are the first: Baked potatoes can find new life in a soup, potatoes can be mashed (or mashed potatoes)and form the savory crust in a traditional shepherd's pie or you can turn them into potatoe croquettes. You can also fry left over potatoes, either with onions and garlic, and/or with spices to turn it into a new side dish. And let's not forget that you can always turn it with the addition of a few eggs into a Spanish omlet. I have been known to use left over potatoes and veggies for burgers.

Rice
Rice makes a great left over. When it comes to rice, the sky is the limit with salads, fried rice, croquettes and even desserts like rice pudding. Of course, you can add rice to soup or make a main dish (either with it or use rice as a side dish). Really easy is it if you just freeze it and use it another time.

Pasta
Now, left over pasta is actually the hardest for me when it comes to side dish leftovers. Freezing doesn't work well (not to my experience anyway). Of course, you can always whisk together some kind of sauce, but how many days in a row can you eat a pasta-and-sauce dish? Why don't you try making pies, casseroles, fittatas or pasta salads? Of course, you can always throw them into a soup  (I think you are getting the hang of it... yes, soup is a great way to deal with leftovers). All of those ideas are not just easy on your budget since you are using things up that you would throw out, but they are quick to make too.

Chicken and Meat
Don't just heat your main dish up over and over again. For me that is just such a big no-no. Take your left overs and turn them into (yep) soups and stews, salads, use them as sandwich fillings. Or how about shredding them up to use in tacos, buritos and Co? You can always mix them up with pasta or rice for some stir fry or pasta dish.

Beans
If you've got a cup or two of beans left over, you can always freeze them. You can always use them for casseroles, spreads, burgers, soups, Indian or other ethnic food. No matter what, beans can always be used up.

Veggies
Leftover vegetables work wonders in the kitchen. You can turn them into soups, and pies. Or maybe some burgers, put them into casserols or pasta sauce.

Bread
With all good intentions of making bread, I buy my bread. I pay a bit more per loaf, but buy bread that does not have any stabalizers or preservatives. That means that my bread goes stale VERY quickly. However, we hardly ever throw stale bread out. First of all, we simply toast it.

On Friday night we always do the traditional Shabath meal, which involve 2 loafs of Hallot (traditional braided bread). On Saturday morning I make French toast. Any left over is frozen and is reheated as needed/wanted in our toaster - it actually comes out fresh.

Other ideas that use up stale bread are croutons, bread puddings or making bread crumbs. If you have baguette or ciabatta left over you can make stuffed breads, or bruscetta, or a "student style pizza".

Left over pitta bread can be turned into something totally yummi by drizzeling some olive oil over it, add some garlic and herbs (in Israel we use Satar) and grill it for a few moments. Devine....

Fruits
Ok, this, as bread, is not something that you actually make, but sometimes you just have fruits kicking around that you just have no idea what to do with. The easiest is to just turn it into a smoothy. Add some water, milk or yoghurt and you have a good breakfast.
Another one is to just turn it into a muffins or cakes (here a simple fruit cake recipe )

Using left overs does not have to be borring. It is a very economical way of using up what you have anyway. And with a little bit of imagination and practice, you can turn your "blah" into "mmmm"


 

Quick home made salsa

Home made salsa is not just cheaper, tastier and healthier than any store bought brand, but you can make it out of those tomatoes that would otherwise fill up the trash can and not your stomach.

1 medium sized onion
5 tomatoes
1 tsp chopped jalapenos peppers (out of a jar) - optional
olive oil - optional
salt

Peal and quarter the onion. Put into a blender and, using the pulse button, process until finely chopped. Add the tomatoes (halved or quartered) and again using the pulse mode process until you get the required consistency (I like it chunky). Add olive oil, if desired, and season with salt to taste.

If you like it spicy you can add the jalapenos. I personally don't, 'cause I use the left overs to make pasta sauce the next day.

Extremly easy tomato sauce

Very often recipes call for tomato sauce. Now, if there is a money waster it must be ready made tomato sauce (or pasta sauce). I NEVER purchase tomato sauce. It is just not justified.

Usually, I buy small tubs of tomato paste and reconstruct it to tomato sauce by doing the following:

Mix together:  1 part tomato paste : 2 parts water. 

Add salt and pepper if you really have to, but usually I don't as I season the whole dish in one go.


Want to make pasta sauce? Just add fresh or dried Basel or Oregano.
Want to make Mexican style tomato sauce? No problem, just add some cumin, coriander, chili and/or cayenne pepper and salt. Or just a Mexican/taco spice mix.

This week, I asked my husband to buy a large tub (in this country they come in small or large plastic containers, or in a large tin). He told me that they were out of the small ones and the large tub cost about 3 times the amount as the one in the tin - and the tin holds more!!!!

What I did was I just used what I needed for one meal and transferred the rest to a plastic container which I put into the fridge. I did this, instead of freezing the rest in two small Tupperware type containers, as the weekly menu plan anyway called for tomato paste this week.

What are the things you wouldn't dream of buying? Please drop a note, I always like to learn from others.

Gift Ideas that will not make you go bankrupt

Pessach/Easter is near. And if it is anything like where I live you HAVE to get presents. This year we decided to get our kids one present that they have to share. The only other person to receive a present from us is our nephew. Anyone else will just have to do without.

Honestly, I think it is a disgrace that we live in such a consumption-focused society that we HAVE to buy something. And you have so many occasions – next to birthdays, which I think are the only occasions that may call for more expensive presents, you have any religious holiday,  Valentine's Day, Mother's/Father's Day, anniversary… I am sure that you will find a lot of occasions where you just HAVE to give a present to someone.

I personally love to buy gifts for my children. But I usually buy it on deals. And I carefully choose the presents. Very often it is something as simple as a coloring in book or stickers that I get at a local "everything for 1 Shekel" (which is the equivalent of about 30 cents). They love it and no-one can honestly say that my kids are poor or have nothing to play with.

You've probably heard it before: you don't have to spend a lot of money to find that perfect gift for someone.  Just be sure to put some time and thought into it and your gift will be well received.

When I was a child my mom used to tell me that she rather receives a single rose that was carefully chosen then a large bouquet that was bought in haste and without thought. And this is the key, everyone appreciates our time and love more than anything.

So, before you go out and spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on presents (per occasion or per year), STOP!  Read through the list of inexpensive gift ideas, maybe there is something that you think could work for you or you come up with something else. I would love to hear any new ideas, so, please, do post them.

• There are hundreds of great gifts that can be purchased or made by hand for under $10, you just have to be a little bit imaginative
• Home baked bread, include recipe
• Homemade cocoa mix in a pretty jar
• Home baked cookies
• Homemade cookie mix with instructions for baking
• Baking pans and supplies
• Muffin mixes with muffin pan
• Pepper mill and fresh peppercorns
• Pretty glass jar filled with candy  
• Gourmet coffees with a personal coffee cup
• Teacup with box of herbal tea
• Special coffee cup filled with candy
• Set of Turkish coffee cups with Turkish coffee
•  Set of dish towels and dish cloths
•   Serving bowl or platter
• Decorative napkins and napkin rings
• Basket filled with kitchen gadgets
•  Specialty cookbook
•  Handwritten copies of your favorite recipes
•  Craft supplies
• Child's artwork, framed
•  Collage of special photos
• Gel pens and pretty stationary
• Pretty box for keepsakes
• Makeup tote
• Makeup brush set
• Nail polish kit
• Special soaps and bath puff
• Puzzles
• Board games

These are things that are under $10 in Israel. The list may change according to your location. Again, remember, it is  really not about the amount of money you spend for a gift that matters the most, but that you cared enough to give something special.

Simplest Tomatoe Salad EVER

This is a very simple, no brainer tomato salad. You honestly cannot go wrong with this one. All you need are some very basic ingredients. Goes well with steak or as a starter. Good way to use up tomatoes.

2 Tomatoes (per person)
Balsamic vinegar to taste (any other vinegar works too)
olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
some spring onions or chives (optional)

Cut tomatoes into slices about 1/2 cm thick. Spread slices out in a neat circle around the edge of a bowl, with a few in the middle. Sprinkle some olive oil onto the tomatoes; making sure that it covers all of them, then sprinkle the vinegar on top (easy on the vinegar). Season with salt and peppers. Slice up some green onions or chives into small pieces, and sprinkle them over the tomatoes. You can serve it straight away, but you can also refrigerate it. It is nice if served slightly chilled.

You could also mix the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a bowl (best with a small whisk) until combined and then pour this over the tomatoes.

Variations:
Add some mozzarella cheese and basil, but leave out the spring onions/chives
Or exchange the spring onions/chives for onions (half the onion then slice it thinly into half circles) and avocado.

Oven baked chicken

If there is one fool prove dish that you can make it must be oven baked chicken. You seriously have to either burn it or have worked in the school kitchen I attended in order to make it taste horrible.

I usually don't buy a whole chicken and cut it. Yes, it is way cheaper this if you do, but my time is also worth money and if you don't have the right tools, nor the experience it can take up quite a bit cutting the chicken into how many pieces you want. Trust me, I tried it and just wasted too much time.

So, what's the quickest way? Buy the chicken parts you want. When you come home, wash the chicken, marinade it (or rub some herbs into it), place it on trays, cook in oven at about 180°C for an hour (plus minus). You know it is finished "when the juices run clear". Don't know what the means.... neither do I. I just check by inserting the knife into one piece, lift the meat off slightly and check if it is still pink inside. And the good thing is you can make a big batch (the work is really the same) and freeze for later on.

Good marinades are:

• Any pre-made sauces - anything really, sweet chili sauce, teriyaki sauce (very nice), BBQ sauce
• Try salad dressing as a marinade. I am not kidding. I did this one today, was a bit skeptical (I read about this several years ago) and the chicken came out ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. My kids really loved it.
• A typical spice mix for a rub that I use is garlic, Hungarian pepper (the sweet one) and salt.

My husband said that what I made today was way better then what he gets at this restaurant he likes to go to... And I made it for a fraction of the price they demand.

Have any more ideas? Please post them.

Chinese Egg Drop soup

Do you love Chinese food? I could literally eat it once or twice a week. One of the dishes I love is egg drop soup, but I am just not prepared to pay the prices they ask for... so, here is a simple recipe that you can make even if you have nothing left in your fridge. This recipe is enough for 2 people.

3 cups chicken broth (either self made, out of a can or made with bouillon powder/cubes)
2 tbs cold water
1 tbs cornstarch
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 spring onion, finely chopped (both white and green part)

In a small pot bring chicken broth to a boil. While you are waiting for the broth to boil combine water and cornstarch; stir into boiling broth.
Stir a small amount of hot broth into the beaten egg. Add the egg mixture slowly (slight drizzle really) into the hot broth, stirring ALL the time. Cook until clear and slightly thickened, stirring constantly.
Garnish with scallion.

TIP: You can add either cooked rice, tofu, rice noodles or some bok choy at the beginning for a heartier soup.
Also, if you find the soup not salty enough, season it with soy sauce, not with salt, for a more authentic taste.

How to save both money and time at the supermarket

Now that hard times have hit us, everyone looks for ways to save some cash. Most of us think that saving equals giving something up and with this we see us suffering, losing out etc. But saving money is something that we can do easily without the bitter taste that we thought we would get with it.
Many expenses are quite set. You want to save on your mortgage, energy/water bill? Not impossible, but not something that you can influence virtually every week (or even daily). You can easily save money on your grocery bill – and save time at the supermarket too.

Welcome to your in-house supermarket
This one is really easy. Just check what you have in your cupboards, fridge and freezer. You’ll be surprised what you find there. I did this earlier on as I had to come up with something for super (my hubby, who usually does the shopping is ill… so we are living off the food that we have at home). I came up with quite a variety of veggies that I would have to chuck away in a day or two, Tofu, and some staples (for me staples include peanut butter, sweet chilly sauce and coconut milk) to make tofu and vegetables in a peanut-coconut milk sauce. It is sort of Thai, and we didn’t have to phone for take out. When you go shopping in your own kitchen you can dramatically cut your grocery bill!

Plan your meal
Planning your meals will make preparing your meals hassle free - you just have to look at your meal plan to know what you are making. But even better, you will also know what you need to buy. So you are less likely to impulse buy.

Make a list
When you go shopping, make a list and try to group them like they do at the supermarket. First of all, you are less likely to impulse buy (I still impulse buy, but those things are not wasted. Usually it is things that are on sale or have good deals on - and I ALWAYS impulse buy things that we eat anyway). But more importantly you will save time. Just imagine, you go through your list, thought you have everything that you want from the meat section just to see that when you pack your fruits and veggies (which happens to be at the other end of the supermarket) that you forgot the onions, or what have you not. Now you have to go back. And of course, this doesn’t just happens once, but several times.
If you don’t know the set up of your supermarket, take the five minutes and just write down the set up. You will save much more starting from the next time you go shopping.

Check unit prices
Don’t take the supermarkets word for it, larger packages are not always cheaper per serving then smaller packages. Check to make sure.

Eat before you go
Going shopping when you are not hungry, will, according to several studies, make you less likely to buy on impulse, especially things that you normally won't buy anyway.

Make your own food
Convenient, pre-packaged foods carry a hefty price and health tag. For instance, making your own sandwich is not only cheaper, but also healthier. Want to buy “shake a cake” or something similar – trust me, making your own cake from scratch is just as easy, you don’t have to subject your body to all these nice ingredients like fillers, artificial colors or stabilizers, as well as being much cheaper.
It really doesn’t take much to make your own soups, cakes, cookies, breakfast bars and muffins and international foods (like pasta sauces, Thai, Mexican etc.). And sure enough, you will find many ideas in this blog as time goes by.

And yes, for those who really have the time, patients and opportunities there are coupons, price book, checking for so called loss-leaders (items that a shop wants to get rid off, because it just doesn’t sell well), buy in bulks or shop during off-hours if you can. But these are not must dos or have tos to cut your time and grocery bill.