Over the past week and a half, I cooked several meals that yielded plenty of leftovers. My plan was to create some new ways to use these leftovers and this post is the result of that planning. The chicken breasts were really an economical buy because they yielded 3 different meals. The same with the pot roast. There was also plenty of kale remaining to make a hearty soup and the leftover stuffing makes a great breakfast hash.
Chicken Divan Redo
Roasted chicken recipe: https://jovinacooksitalian.com/2016/11/14/dinners-in-the-oven/
2 servings
- 6 leftover roasted broccoli floret spears
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups reserved lemon broth from the roasted chicken or use chicken broth
- 1/4 cup well-chilled half & half
- 1/4 cup freshly shredded Italian fontina cheese
- 4 leftover roasted chicken slices
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons Italian breadcrumbs
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Directions
In a heavy saucepan combine the broth and flour. Stir until the flour is absorbed. Add the half & half and mix well. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring, and then simmer until thickened
Stir in the cheese and season the sauce with salt and pepper, if needed. Heat until the cheese is melted.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Arrange the broccoli in two individual baking dishes or in a 2-quart gratin dish and pour half the sauce over it.
Arrange the chicken on top of the broccoli, pour the remaining sauce over it. Sprinkle the top with of each dish with one tablespoon of the breadcrumbs and sprinkle each with paprika.
Cut two pieces of foil just large enough to cover the dishes. Coat the foil with cooking spray and use that side to cover the dishes. Bake the covered dishes for 10 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue to bake until the top is golden and bubbling, about 15 minutes.
![img_0001]()
Individual Shepherd’s’ Pie
I had served the pot roast with mashed potatoes and made extra potatoes so I would have some leftover.
Pot roast recipe: https://jovinacooksitalian.com/2016/11/11/how-to-keep-beef-recipes-healthy/
2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced leftover pot roast and gravy
- 2 carrots, diced carrots
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
Directions
Combine the pot roast, peas and carrots in a mixing bowl. Divide the mixture in half and place it in two individual ovenproof dishes.
Spread half of the potatoes over the mixture in one dish and spread the remaining potatoes over the mixture in the second dish.
(You can even fix this earlier in the day and refrigerate until dinner time.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the casseroles for about 30 minutes or until the potato topping is golden brown.
Caesar Salad with Leftover Roasted Chicken
2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken cut into cubes
- 1/2 head Romaine lettuce, washed and finely chopped
- 1 cup croutons, see recipe below
- Grated Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper for garnish
Dressing
- 1 anchovy, finely chopped or use anchovy paste
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise made with olive oil, if available
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Add the anchovy, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, garlic and Worcestershire sauce to a bowl and whisk together.
Gradually whisk in the 1/4 cup of olive oil, whisking until the dressing is emulsified.
Place the chopped lettuce in a bowl and toss it with the dressing, cubed chicken and croutons. Top the salad with extra cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
Croutons
Ingredients
- 2 cups cubed bread
- 1 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
In mixing bowl combine the bread cubes and olive oil. Toss well to coat.
Pour the bread cubes onto a baking sheet. Spread them into a single layer.
Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every five minutes to prevent burning.
Cool completely before storing in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
Kale and Lima Bean Soup
I used homemade cooked dried baby lima beans for this soup, but you can use canned white beans, if you choose.
Serves 8-10
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 10 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth or homemade broth
- 4 cups packed chopped fresh kale or 2 cups leftover cooked kale
- 1 large fresh tomato, diced
- 4 cups home cooked dried baby lima beans or canned no-salt-added cannellini beans, drained
- 3 large carrots, cut into coins
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Directions
In a large soup pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and carrots and cook 3 minutes. Add the garlic and Italian seasoning; cook 2 minutes longer.
Add broth, kale, tomatoes and beans and heat thoroughly. Serve hot with grated cheese and Italian bread.
Easy Hash and Eggs
2 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups of leftover Italian bread and sausage stuffing, (see link above from Dinner’s In The Oven)
- 4 large eggs
Directions
In a medium skillet with a cover, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the butter.
Add the stuffing, flatten with a spatula and cook until light golden brown and crispy on the bottom. Gently turn the stuffing over and cook for 3-4 minutes more.
With a large spoon make four round holes in the stuffing mixture. Crack eggs, one at a time, into a small bowl and gently pour into each hole in the stuffing.
Cover the pan and cook the eggs to your likeness or until the whites are completely set and the yolks begin to thicken but are not hard. Serve immediately.
