October 2011
1 post
3 tags
I should rename this blog: What to do with roast...
I had some dark meat left over from the last smoked/beer canned chicken. I sauted some onion until caramelized, added red pepper, and finally the chicken.
Top with salsa / sour cream / avocado / cheese / hot sauce in a tortilla, and you have the makings of smoked chicken fajitas. Traditional? No. Good? Yes.
September 2011
2 posts
chicken skin
Also when you smoke a chicken, you can use the skin in two interesting and fun ways. You can pan fry it over low and heat, until rendered and crisp like bacon and make a CsLT. You can also render it like bacon when making stocks for a smokey flavor like bacon would add. Basically smoked chicken skin is a kosher substitute for bacon.
Please note, it’s not bacon, nothing could replace...
More chicken scraps
When you smoke a chicken, you can make stock from the smoked bones and use it for making greens. The smokey stock brings something similar to what a hock or bacon brings to greens.
October 2010
1 post
Nothing new to report.
Which means I’ve not been cooking enough to have leftovers, or anything to even comment about, until today.
The closest I’ve got to left overs is all my CSA vegetables. I did however process two sugar pumpkins, and a few butternut squash. Then my lovely wife cleaned up all the seeds and I made two batches of toasted seeds (salt / sugar & cinnamon). These are easy to make, just...
February 2010
2 posts
2 tags
Remains of the Roast...
This past weekend we had a slow roasted beef eye round. It’s not the most tender piece of meat, and it doesn’t take to high heat applications well, nor is it filled with connective tissue, that will melt away from a low and slow cooking method. When cooked right, it’s very beefy, and tender, but that window is pretty small.
I may have missed that window. It was still good but it...
3 tags
Hash this... Fried Rice.
I was thinking about the Chicago tribune article, and decided, that just like hash fried rice is another great simple way to clean on the crisper, and use up your leftovers.
The Simple steps to fried rice.
The basic ratio is 2:1 rice to additions, but it is very flexible.
Chop everything finely, your proteins and vegetables should be a fine dice.
In a small pan over medium / medium high heat,...
January 2010
5 posts
1 tag
Life hacker -> Chicago tribune Making hash from... →
The linked article shows another use for leftovers, making hash. Not a bad read, and a great way to use up those left over meat and veg.
What makes a good leftover?
I’ve talked a lot about specific meals, and recipes, but I haven’t really given my rules of thumb when it comes to what makes a good leftover.
1. It should freeze well. Who feels like having last nights dinner for tomorrow’s lunch.
Exception, mac and cheese, it doesn’t freeze well, but I’d eat it all day, every day.
2. No fish.
exception clam chowder
3. No...
4 tags
Pasta sauce part two.
So, what do you do when you have a serving of pasta sauce and no pasta left? Me, I make a kale and white bean dish. For a cold winter night, when you’ve been feeling like you’ve been over doing it with the comfort food, this hearty, but healthy dish hits the spot.
1 cup pasta sauce or one can chopped tomatoes 1 cup chopped mushrooms 1 small onion chopped 2 tbs olive oil 1 bunch of...
3 tags
Three leftovers make one heck of a meal.
Take one part chili, and one part pasta, and one part queso, and you’ve got a serious chili mac. Inspired by my coworker I, I was able to use up three normally good left overs, to make something much greater than the sum of it’s parts. The end result, I had the pleasure of chili mac for lunch the next day. It’s really as easy as it sounds. The method I used, was to heat all of...
Low and slow.
This time of year it is especially nice to come home to a hearty meal. A great option for those of you who don’t think you have time for making homemade stock and soup. In the am take your left over bones, a few rough chopped vegetables and seasonings, toss in your slow cooker and cook on low all day. When you return home, strain the stock, and skim any fat.
To make a quick soup, add your...
September 2009
1 post
Bringing the bacon to work.
How often do you bring in your lunch? And how often is it leftovers?
July 2009
2 posts
3 tags
grill it, then skillet.
Those who know me, will tell you I’m a tex-mex fan. From tacos to burritos, to rice and beans, and most things in between. They will also say that I’m a big fan of cheese. While last nights dinner was neither cheese, nor tex-mex, that won’t stop me from making it into the tex-mex version of grilled cheese. Taking grilled vegetables turning it into quesadillas is not rocket...
A fitting comback; NyT article on leftovers →
May 2009
9 posts
5 tags
More chicken? White bean chicken green chili.
Just when you thought it was safe, I break out another recipe using left over roasted chicken. Maybe I should rename this blog, what to do with leftover roast chicken. This going to be the last in the chicken series, I think. This is a newish recipe for me, but the three times I’ve made it it’s been good. It makes enough for left overs and has held up for lunches later in the week....
Cold brewed Coffee, and Sun Tea
While this is not leftovers, it certainly fits in the category of bringing vs buying your food. This weekend was filled with passive brewed beverages, two of my favorite summer drinks. I brewed my first batch of Cold brewed coffee this weekend, and I have to say I’m really impressed. It’s dead simple to make, just add a bunch of coffee to a large picture of water.Let it sit for 12...
Stock update...
I made stock today, using mostly things the average person would throw away. Made 4 qts of stock, in the slow cooker. I can’t see making it any other way, it was so easy. The best part will be the risotto that I’ll be making later in the week. I’m thinking fiddle head risotto with fresh ricotta, served with spring lamb.
AO
Quiz time. Food storage
What type of food containers do you store your leftovers?
6 tags
Leftovers for breakfast? Frenchtoast
What about leftovers for breakfast? I’m not talking about cold pizza, I’m talking about good old fashion french toast. This never was a favorite of mine as a kid, I’ve always preferred over easy eggs on toast. However as we now have a nearly unending supply of eggs, I’ve been exploring other options, and these are now one of my new favorites. Simple, made of stuff found in...
3 tags
Beer can chicken -> Brown chicken stock
While the title of this blog is leftovers 4 lunch, it’s really about being frugal; and making the most your food. Starting with bringing what otherwise might be thrown out for lunch, but also including not wasting anything of what you make.
So, you wonder will this bird ever get any rest? The answer is it’s got at least one more use left in it, and potentially more posts, depending on...
Quiz time: What's your favorite leftover lunch?
What is your favorite leftover to have for lunch?
6 tags
Beer can chicken -> salad and chicken-> lunch #2
The first post covered what I do with left over roast chicken. For the large birds we buy (5-7lb) birds, locally grown we generally have quite a bit of left overs to deal with. The second lunch that I make from the left over roast chicken is a simple chicken salad. My friends know I’m not talking about chicken, celery, and mayo, as I don’t do mayo. I’m talking about either a...
Beer can chicken -> chicken pot pie -> lunch
This is the first post of my ‘new’ blog. I’m trying to play with the idea of separating my food related posts from the more personal / farm / cycling posts on www.crankynstinky.com. I like the idea of posting the story of the food that I’ll be eating for lunch. If that means the last of a restaurant meal, or using all of a roast bird so be it. I think this gives me plenty...