Do You Enjoy Leftovers?

[Chris Cashsense]

When you eat at restaurants, cook up some delicious meals for a family gathering or prepare for a birthday party, you can be sure that you would have a bunch of leftovers inside your refrigerator after. What do you do with these leftovers? Heating them up for your meals instead of throwing them away could save you a lot of money.

[Snydley]

When I was a kid, we always threw out food if it was leftover, we didn't feel like eating it, it was taking up too much space in the fridge, etc. We weren't against eating leftovers and we did occasionally, we just put zero value on the fact that it was food.

I moved in with my DH and he was amazed that I did this. Now, many years later, I can say we throw out little/no food. I know it sounds trite but people really are starving..who am I to carelessly throw it away? Our fridge is always pretty empty compared to most of our friends, and sometimes we are picked on for it. Our five year old rarely throws food out and I'm quite proud of this.

Yes I'm sure it saves us a lot of money as well!

-Jen

[Baby_nurse]

I plan for left overs. I divvy them up in to single serving containers to take to work rather than buying over priced (not to mention unhealthy) hospital food. I also plan my menus around what I can make one night and what can be used for part of the next night's meal. (Ie: roasted chicken one night, chicken fried rice the next.

Saves me time, not to mention money.

[kork13]

Leftovers is the only way I can realistically eat from home. As a single guy who grew up in a family of 7, I honestly don't know how to cook for one (seriously -- I've tried cooking single servings, and I am forever either making too much food or overcooking it). So I always just make 4-6+ servings of any given meal, then I save the leftovers and have them as lunches or dinners for the next few days. Especially during busy weeks, being able to cook alot of food on the weekend then not have to cook for the rest of the week is such a stress reliever at times. Knowing I can come home, warm up whatever I've got, and not have to take the time to cook dinner is very nice. And all of that is simply the convenience factor. If I were to eat out as often as I currently eat leftovers, it would easily cost me an extra $300/mo or more.

I guess growing up in a big family, although money was never really tight (at least to my knowledge), it was ingrained in us not to waste food. Plus, because both of my parents worked, we got used to eating leftovers for when both parents were still at work in the evenings. Leftovers are a part of life for me, and besides... If you make great-tasting food, with leftovers you get to have that good food again!

[Thrif-t]

Yes I plan for leftovers. I work every other day so make a lot for dinner on my day off so the next work day no cooking for me. My kids are getting older and eating more so I've had to start cooking MORE so there can be leftovers the next day!

It's funny the number of people who don't eat leftovers. I have a friend that thinks its so weird that my family eats leftovers. I can't imagine having to cook every day. And like the previous poster if you cook good food you enjoy it the next day. Heck some things are better the next day after they've marinated more!

[marvholly]

Yes I plan for leftovers. I work every other day so make a lot for dinner on my day off so the next work day no cooking for me. My kids are getting older and eating more so I've had to start cooking MORE so there can be leftovers the next day!

It's funny the number of people who don't eat leftovers. I have a friend that thinks its so weird that my family eats leftovers. I can't imagine having to cook every day. And like the previous poster if you cook good food you enjoy it the next day. Heck some things are better the next day after they've marinated more!

since I am a single & HATE to cook 3x/day, 7 days/week it makes the MOST sense for me to batch cook 2-4x/month & freeze the extra in single serve portions.

Today I will have clam chowder for lunch and salsbarry steak w/mashed potato for dinner both from the freezer. I just need to add salad & veggies.

[phantom]

I'll admit that I usually avoid leftovers. I don't like eating food that comes out of a microwave, and it's often inconvenient to reheat food any other way. Many foods become dried out if you throw them in the oven again, and even if they don't, that can still take a long time. If I'm going to wait for something to heat up in the oven, I might as well just cook something fresh. I'll make exceptions for things like my husband's crab cakes, which take too much effort to make one at a time and reheat well in the oven. But, for the most part, we only cook what we'll eat right away. Luckily, my husband doesn't mind leftovers, so when we do end up with extra food, it doesn't have to go to waste.

[snafu]

Like many others I use leftovers but call them plan-overs. It's too hectic to make an entire meal from scratch 7 consecutive days ongoing. I find it less stressful to make a larger than needed meatloaf so that there are awesome sliders - just cut & serve on a roll - ready to go for example. We re-heat using a microwave but for those who don't, adding a sauce, fresh vegetables and a new, fun name for the dish to help make it seem more delicious

[marvholly]

Snafu
Guess my leftovers are sometimes 'planovers' too. Leftover chicken/beef becomes stroganoff, fajitas, stir fry or a salad plate topper. Leftover pork becomes stir fry or fried rice.

When it comes to meatloaf I do mine in muffin tins. Automatic portion control.

Things like lasagne, soup, chili, stew, soups are not likely to become planovers.

[bjl584]

Leftovers are great. Some stuff just tastes better the next day. Pizza and spagetti to name a few.

[kork13]

Leftovers are great. Some stuff just tastes better the next day. Pizza and spagetti to name a few.

Interesting... Those are actually two things I normally say are NOT good as leftovers, let alone better that way. Personally, I've found most sauces, chili, and similar to taste better as leftovers, as they have time to "muddle"their flavors better overnight.

[adpiterp]

I absolutely eat leftovers. Enjoy? That answer is not always yes, but I'll still eat them.

[VanReb]

Leftovers not only save money, it also stops you from wasting food. Both are very important things you consider.

[thesimplemoneyblog]

Leftovers are great! As a child, I used to hate having leftovers. I thought they were terrible. But as time has passed and my tastes have changed, I often look forward to having leftovers. Not only do you get to save a little extra money, but the flavors of the food have a way of mixing and settling so much better after a day or two! Happy stomach and happy wallet - win/win.

[dawnwes]

I LOVE leftovers!