8 Before-and-After Dinners
Whipping up dinner at home can be a great way to hold on to more of your hard-earned cash, but only if you actually eat everything you cook. That can prove difficult if those leftovers—you know, the ones theoretically saving you money—are about as inspiring as a half-opened carton of dried-out white rice.
But leftovers can be wonderful if you treat them right. Of course, you can just reheat them. Or you could turn those scraps into another dish entirely, one that’s wonderful in its own right.
Don’t let extra slices of roasted sweet potato languish in the back of your refrigerator. They’re sublime on toast, and decadent when topped with a poached egg. And that’s just the beginning: Once you start thinking this way, you’ll see before-and-after opportunities everywhere. Why settle for two-day-old mashed potatoes? Turn them into potato pancakes, subbing the mash in for grated ‘taters.
Trust us: With a little creativity, you can stretch your leftovers into dishes you won’t want to stick in a tupperware and just forget about. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Before: Roast Chicken with Lemons and Fennel
Photo credit: Getty
After: Chutney Chicken Salad
Photo credit: Everyday Food
Before: Pork Shoulder
After: Pork Tacos
Photo credit: Everyday Food/Petrina Tinslay
Before: Chili-Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges
Photo credit: Everyday Food
After: Sautéed Kale, Roasted Sweet Potato and Poached Egg on Toast
Photo credit: Food52/Nicole Franzen
Before: Marinated Flank Steak
Photo credit: Everyday Food
After: Steak Sandwiches with Sautéed Mushrooms and Spinach
Photo credit: Everyday Food
Before: Roasted Zucchini with Chili-Mint Vinaigrette
Photo credit: Food52
After: Antipasti Sandwich
Photo credit: Everyday Food
Before: Beer-Baked White Beans
Photo credit: Everyday Food
After: Minestrone Soup
Photo credit: Food52
Before: Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes
Photo credit: Epicurious
After: Potato Pancakes
Photo credit: Everyday Food
Before: Leek, Bacon, and Pea Risotto
Photo credit: Everyday Food
After: Risotto Cakes with Roasted Tomatoes and Arugula
Photo credit: Everyday Food
