Re Working Leftovers

Here's hoping that Easter Sunday was a great tradition of family and friends, gathered around some of the most awesome foods and desserts.

Every day we are blessed, and there are certain days we are blessed even more. And we can count our blessings by our family and friends we hold so dear.

Now, what are we going to do with all those leftovers? That's if there is anything left?

One baked casserole dishes...a good thing: 

Ham and Macaroni and Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 F

• Dice ham in 1/4 to 1/2 inch cubes, or you can shred or slice the ham.
• Remove macaroni and cheese from original dish, put in a clean casserole or baking dish. Add your cubed ham.
• Whip up 8 ounces of sour cream with one cup of milk and pour over ham and Mac mixture.
• Top dish with 8 ounces of shredded cheese.
• Bake in oven at 350 F for 30 minutes. 
• Season to taste

Tips:  
Add peas, broccoli, and one pound mixed vegetables 

Lamb and Rice Casserole 

Preheat oven 350 F 
 Do not mince or cube the meat until you actually want to cook with it or it will go dry and hard.

• Sauté 1 cup onions and 4 ounces of mushrooms in olive oil.
• Put 3 cups of cooked rice in a casserole or baking, add sautéed vegetables and mix.
• Stir in 2 cans of diced tomatoes (with basil and roasted garlic) add the seasonings and grated Parmesan
• cheese and mix well. 
• Dice, cube or slice the lamb and fold into the mixture and top with shredded cheese.
• Bake in preheated  350 F oven for 30 minutes.

Tips:
In place of rice, use spring vegetable mix.

Roast Beef 

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Make your biscuit layer by combining biscuit mix with 1 1/2 cups of milk. You want this consistency of pancake batter, set it aside.
Peel and slice 6 to 8 mediums potatoes about 1/4 inch.
Mirepoix
We are going to modify the size of the vegetables.

• 1 cup sliced white onions, cut in half, follow grain and slice about 1/4 inches.
• 1/2 cup sliced carrots 2 inches long cut on the diagonal.
• 1/2 cup sliced celery 2 inches long cut on the diagonal.

Layer your vegetable and sliced potatoes in the casserole or baking dish with your left over roast beef, add one can of diluted mushroom soup (follow their directions for dilution} and add to casserole.

Layer biscuit mix on top and bake in preheated oven 350 F for 30 to 45 minutes. 

Tips:

Pillsbury garlic and Herb Crescent rolls can be substituted for biscuit mix

Candid Yams or Sweet Potato Pudding 

preheat 350 F

One 8 ounce Pillsbury crescent refrigerated dinner Roll.
12 cup muffin pan

In a medium bowl whip your sweet potatoes until creamy.

• Add 8 ounces of vanilla yogurt.
• No need to add sugar.
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg. 
• Unroll Pillsbury dough and separated into triangles. Press triangles in muffin cup
• Fill muffin cup with sweet potato mixture.

Bake in preheates 350 F oven for 15 to 20 minutes...

Makes a nice snack or dessert for the kids. Top with fat free yogurt or ice cream.

Tips:
Use other fillings: fresh fruit, cooked chicken topped with mozzarella cheese, apple and blueberry pie fillings.
For appetizer you can fill with meat mixtures left over from your Easter dinner. 

Change It Out 

Your Masterpieces has been sitting out for a couple of hours. And now it’s time to put them away.
Store your leftovers in fresh clean containers, remove the garnishes.

• Bacteria and germs grows at a rapid rate, by the time you set your dishes out, it has already started and by the end of the meal food borne bacteria is in full force.
• Don't store your leftovers in their current liquids and juices. Use fresh chicken or beef stock when reworking.
• Cut all fat from meats before storing, don't Cross-Contaminate by storing different meats and seafood on the same dish or next to each other.

Your reworked dishes will hold in your refrigerator for up to 4 days and can be easily frozen.

Don't forget to label and date it.