How to Use Up Your Labor Day Leftovers
Fromage fort. Photo credit: Martha Stewart
First day back at work! Boo.
Arriving home to remnants of yesterday’s fun in the kitchen, which remind you that you were grillin’ and chillin’ just twelve hours ago!
Boo.
A fridge full of leftovers you don’t know how to handle!
Boo.
We’ll help you turn this nay into a yay. Think of it as: Dinner that’s basically already been cooked! YAY!
Here’s how to use up those lingering comestible Labor Day bits.
Grilled or roasted vegetables: Today’s probably the last day you have to use up any cooked vegetables. Throw them into a frittata and call it dinner.
Burgers: It’s time for the season’s first batch of chili. Conversely, make a super-quick Bolognese spaghetti sauce, or crumble up the cooked meat and throw it on top of homemade pizza.
Hot dogs and sausages: Split them lengthwise and stuff them into a grilled cheese sandwich, or slice them crosswise and throw them into a main-course salad. (We like this combination of ingredients that can stand up to the meat: ribbons of Parmesan cheese, piquant capers, butter lettuce, and a mustardy vinaigrette.)
Grilled chicken: Chicken salad! Chop or shred the meat and then mix it with mayonnaise, mustard, herbs (see below), and whatever else you like to add to this go-to sandwich stuffing.
Potato chips: Those crumbled bits at the bottom of the bag? Put them in a sandwich or on hot dogs (along with strands of leftover cheese). Or use them as a texture-rich garnish for mac and cheese.
Cheese: The French cheese spread called fromage fort (“strong cheese”) is a smooth, pungent amalgam of garlic, white wine, and any leftover cheeses you have in the refrigerator.
Herbs: Stretch their fridge-life by following these tips. Otherwise, dry them, turn them into pesto, or throw whole leaves into a salad tonight.
Beer: Steam clams in it, turn it into a cocktail, or make beer-cheese spread.
Wine: Whisk it into salad dressing, turn it into vinegar, use it as a base for stews, or make granita.
Pie: You didn’t eat it for breakfast already? Shame on you.
