Shakshuka is a great way to use leftover taco meat!

Welcome to our Simple, Sustainable & Fun Family Dinners series!  At SHF, we know planning your family dinner menu for the week can be stressful and we want to help you with that process.  This is the final week in a 7 week series where we will be highlighting a Family Dinner that you can implement in your kitchen any night of the week that everyone in your family is sure to love!

Leftovers might be something you scoff at.  Why do I have to eat THAT…AGAIN????  We get it!  When you eat the same meal repeatedly it loses some of its appeal.

However, as an In Demand Woman, your time is your most valuable asset.  And if you can get two-meals-for-the-price-of-one cooking effort, it’s a win-win!

Let’s talk about some creative ways to turn your leftovers into new meals that will make everyone around your table smile and enjoy the new meal in front of them!

TACO TUESDAY…BECOMES SHAKSHUKA WEDNESDAY!

Shakshuka what???  Shakshuka is traditionally a Middle Eastern dish of eggs poached in stewed tomatoes, chili peppers and onions.  The beauty of this dish is the versatility of flavor profiles and ingredients.

One way to re-purpose that leftover taco meat from Taco Tuesday is to turn it into Shakshuka!  Simply re-heat your ground meat (beef, turkey, pork) in a pan and flatten in with a spatula.  Once it is reheated all the way through, make 4-5 divots with the back of a spoon in the meat.  Crack an egg into each divot, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water, cover and steam to cook.  Serve alongside blistered cherry tomatoes, salad or whatever side dish you prefer!  You can also top the Shakshuka with green onions, cilantro or any other fresh herbs, vegetables or cheese you enjoy.

PASTA NIGHT RE-ENVISIONED

Sometimes the thought of re-heated pasta may seem super unappealing.  That said, if you reheat it in the right way, it can often be more delicious than your original dish! The important thing to consider is HOW you reheat your pasta.  We recommend cooking it in a pan with butter or olive oil to crisp it up.  You can then throw in some fresh veggies, left over chicken, cheese and any sauce you prefer!  Voila!  Your pasta comes back to life and dinner is served up quick and easy.

CHICKEN TAKE 2!

 Rotisserie chicken goes a LONG way!  Remember all the uses we had for it in the last article?  But what do you do when you have only half of a chicken left?  One easy solution is to turn it into soup!  Take whatever you have left of the chicken and put in a soup-pot filled with water.  Add some salt, pepper, garlic, carrots, celery and onions and let it cook.  Chicken soup is a soothing meal that your family will enjoy!  When it’s done cooking, remove the bones, skim the fat and decide if there is any meat left that is worth keeping in the soup.  You can also strain out the mirepoix (carrots, celery, onions) and puree them so they can be added back to the broth for some extra nutrients, flavor and texture.  If you want a heartier option, add some noodles, rice or even potatoes and your soup will become a complete meal.

Leftovers get a bad rap, but there are many ways you can turn your original meal into a new creation easily and deliciously!  What are your favorite leftover recipes?