Leftover Pancakes or Waffles?

I make large batches of pancakes and waffles. That way when I have leftovers, I put a piece of aluminum foil between them, place in a freezer bag, then freeze. For a quick breakfast, remove what you want from the bag, microwave for 1-2 minutes. No more buying the expensive frozen pancakes and waffles!

Hard Brown Sugar

Don´t throw away brown sugar that´s hardened. Put a slice of bread in the container. In a few hours, it will be soft again.

Fresh Lemon Zest

Before you squeeze juice from a lemon, grate off the rind into a freezer bag and freeze. Then when a recipe calls for lemon zest or rind, just pull it from the freezer.

More Meat for Less

Watch for sales on meat when bought in larger quantities. Separate into family serving sizes, put in freezer bags, then freeze.

Leftover Gravy

Put leftover gravy in a baking dish. Add mixed vegetables,(these could be leftovers also), and a can of tuna. Bake until bubbly. You could top this with refrigerator biscuits and pop back in the oven until browned.

Leftover Noodles, Rice or Potatoes

If you have leftover noodles, rice, or potatoes, just add them to soup. You´ll have a hearty meal.

Keeping Marshmallows Soft

To prevent marshmallows from drying out, simply store them in the freezer.
Marshmallows won´t dry out when frozen.

Sandwich Meat

More cooking on a budget ideas: When deli sandwich meats are on sale, buy extra. Put enough meat for a few days in a freezer bag, then freeze. To unthaw, put in the refrigerator a day before you want to use it. Will taste as fresh as the day you bought it.

Leftover Chili

Serve your leftover chili over a baked potato for another great meal.

Homemade Instant Oatmeal

Make your own "instant" oatmeal by running regular oatmeal in a blender. Blending makes the oatmeal the same as "instant."

Leftover Mashed Potatoes

When you have leftover mashed potatoes, use them as a pie crust for a meat casserole. Grease the pie plate first, then add your casserole and cover with the potatoes before you bake.

Leftover Pie Dough

Roll left over pie dough out to about 1/4" thick. Place on jelly roll pan, sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar mixture, then bake in 375 degree oven until lightly browned. Delicious sweet treat.

Veggi Stock

Store vegetable scraps and cuttings (even peels work) in the freezer until you have enough to make a pot of vegetable stock.

Cooked Oatmeal

Add your leftover cooked oatmeal to your meatloaf recipe instead of bread crumbs.

Quicker Browned Hamburger

When I brown hamburger, I brown enough for a couple of meals. Place leftovers in fridge or freezer and you´re one step ahead for your next recipe.

More Juice from Lemons

To get the most juice from lemons, microwave on high for 30 seconds, let stand a couple of minutes before cutting and squeezing them. Rolling it between your counter and hand also does the trick. This also will work for limes and oranges.

Brown Sugar Revival

If your brown sugar has turned to rock, you can easily soften it by putting it in a glass bowl, sprinkling with a little bit of water and placing in the microwave. Try high power for about 10-15 seconds. Zap it again if necessary, until fully softened.

Butter on Sale

Cooking on a budget ideas:
When butter or oleo is on sale buy extra and put in the freezer. Unthaw before use. This works great for products in the card board cartons or in the tubs.

Wine Cubes

Using leftover wine is a snap if you freeze it into ice cubes and use them as part of the liquid for casseroles and sauces.

Leftover Rice

Don´t throw away your leftover rice. You can freeze it in a covered freezer container for up to six months.