4th of July Leftovers

4th of July Leftovers

Gotta love a fridge filled with leftovers and a hangover that gives way by lunchtime. It’s the perfect time to raid the post-party fridge! Leftovers from your bash on the 4th can be quickly and easily transformed into something new and exciting the next day. Here’s a list of some common leftovers with some great ways to use ’em up before they go to waste.

Leftover Grilled Meats & Seafood

Slice up grilled sausages and put them on a skewer for the kids with chunks of mozzarella cheese and cherry tomatoes.

Leftover Grilled Meats & Seafood

You can also make some lazy lasagna rolls by boiling up lasagna noodles, filling them with sausage and herb-spiked ricotta, and topping them with warm marinara sauce and shredded cheese.

Leftover Grilled Meats & Seafood

Whip up a meat lover’s calzone using leftover sausage, steak, or hamburger meat, a really good quality cheese, fresh herbs, and some leftover veggies.

Leftover Grilled Meats & Seafood

Sprinkle grilled chicken with some curry powder, slice it thin, and put it in a whole wheat wrap with butter lettuce, shredded carrot, cucumber, avocado, and a drizzle of peanut dressing.

Leftover Grilled Meats & Seafood

Season leftover steaks with Mexican seasonings, dice small, and heat in a pan with some oil, garlic, and onions. Throw in some drained and rinsed black beans, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve over white or brown rice or stuff into a burrito wrapper.

Leftover Grilled Meats & Seafood

Keep the kids super happy and make a hamburger and hotdog pizza!

Leftover Grilled Meats & Seafood

Chop up leftover grilled shrimp with minced garlic, parsley, lemon juice, and lowfat mayo. Stuff in a pita with some crisp lettuce, red onion, and tomato.

Leftover Grilled Meats & Seafood

Toss grilled scallops, shrimp, and/or fish with warm fettuccine, roasted red peppers, olives, fresh parsley, olive oil, and capers.

Leftover Grilled Meats & Seafood

Get out the crock-pot, survey your pantry and fridge, and start adding some of these leftovers to create something totally unique and different! Beef stew is perfect for leftover steak. Just cube it up and add to the crock-pot with beef stock, onions, potatoes, and veggies.

Leftover Side Dishes

Grilled veggies can top everything from sandwiches to pizzas. Use them up in breakfast scrambles, quiches, or casseroles for dinner. Grilled veggies also make a killer panini with a nice quality cheese and some fresh herbs.

Leftover Side Dishes

Coleslaw can be just as great the next day by adding in some chopped green onion, slivered almonds, and a dash of sesame oil. This would also taste good atop a piece of grilled chicken, served on a big, soft, bulkie roll with thin slivers of papaya.

Leftover Side Dishes

Garden salad of any type should be immediately put into individual-sized plastic containers for grab-and-go salads during the work week.

Leftover Side Dishes

Oil-based tortellini salad can be used as an add-in for tomato soup. Just warm up some creamy tomato soup and add a big spoonful of tortellini. Heat and serve.

Leftover Side Dishes

Use up leftover corn on the cob by brushing it with oil, grilling it for a minute or so, and then scraping the grilled kernels off the cob into a large bowl. Add diced red onion, chopped tomato, chopped cilantro, and olive oil. Season with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper for a quick side dish or topping for meats.

Leftover Side Dishes

Leftover strawberries and blueberries from festive desserts can be transformed into a yummy berry salsa with cinnamon-spiced pita chips for the kids. Or pop them in the blender with ice, yogurt, and some vanilla extract to whip up a smoothie for breakfast. You can also pair the fruit in a salad, topped with crumbled goat cheese and walnuts.