632926 Tue Jun 30 14:44:09 -0700 2009 233 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 4819164 Not things that are dangerous or inedible to eat the day-after. Rather, things you simply don't find palatable as leftovers -- something you refuse to eat on a purely, subjective level. For me, I simply cannot stand leftover fried rice. Dunno why, probably because fried rice is already sort of like a leftover dish since it's usually, and best, made with day-old rice. Reheated leftover fried rice inevitably tends to be grainier, less fluffy, with a more pronounced oily aftertaste. Just not very good. And cold fried rice is just a nonstarter. What's on your refuse-to-eat-as-leftover list? Tue Jun 30 14:44:09 -0700 2009 11583 ipsedixit 1 4819253 but a microwave dies lovely things to old fried rice Tue Jun 30 15:12:16 -0700 2009 4819164 135229 thew 2 4824946 I like to revamp my old pork fried rice by making a jambalya out of it. The hot spices overpower the chinese taste. I just add chicken or shrimp, chicken stock, green pepper (it already had enough onion), diced tomoto with chilies and the jambalaya spice. Let it simmer for awhile and you have a yummy new dish to eat for dinner! Thu Jul 02 11:45:35 -0700 2009 4819253 729068 cookieluvntasha 2 4827399 I've been reading this post for three days and I could not think of anything other than the fried foods many have indicated and thinking I disagree with most everything els of what others have stated....but it just hit me.... Liver of any kind......I'm not talking about spreads or pate...but just plain old cooked liver. I came to this realization as I have just prepared a dish of Sauteed Chicken Livers for lunch. Now that the livers have cooled.....I just can't stand the hard edges texturally. Fri Jul 03 09:59:37 -0700 2009 4819253 123497 fourunder 1 4819278 can't stand cold pizza or reheated leftover pizza. For me it's gotta be fresh out of the brick oven. Tue Jun 30 15:17:36 -0700 2009 4819164 22559 smartie 2 4819328 I'm with you on the pizza. If it's not piping hot, I can't stand it. Even room temperature is off putting to me. Fortunately, my kids do not feel the same way. They will scarf up every last piece right out of the fridge. Tue Jun 30 15:36:53 -0700 2009 4819278 70474 baseballfan 3 4819640 Cold pizza for breakfast is the best! Tue Jun 30 17:35:45 -0700 2009 4819328 232829 kchurchill5 4 4819950 So there...LOVE cold pizza for breakfast!!!!! Tue Jun 30 19:42:41 -0700 2009 4819640 237148 bermudagourmetgoddess 5 4820827 Not sure why, but it is just soooo good. Wed Jul 01 07:39:23 -0700 2009 4819950 232829 kchurchill5 6 4832124 Agreed wholeheartedly. I think I look forward to leftover next-morning pizza as much as I do fresh pizza! I always order enough to ensure I get my breakfast treat! Sun Jul 05 20:56:49 -0700 2009 4820827 75881 vorpal 5 4890073 yes! Can't imagine cutting half the pleasure out of my pizza by not eating the rest of it cold for brunch Sat Jul 25 13:29:59 -0700 2009 4819950 168667 saacnmama 3 4824484 Who has leftover pizza? Thu Jul 02 09:38:13 -0700 2009 4819328 1086258 jchamberlain 4 4824757 Hey, when I'm getting pizza delivered I always order more than I can eat - a whole 16" large pizza for one, for example - because I know from experience that frozen slices from a great local pizzeria that I reheat in the toaster oven are far better than any commercial frozen pizza I've ever had. Thu Jul 02 10:48:57 -0700 2009 4824484 14386 BobB 5 4829148 there's a double-edged sword ! I did this once or twice with good intentions to freeze and reheat, and instead, ended up eating more than I should have. Sat Jul 04 08:39:56 -0700 2009 4824757 153184 im_nomad 4 4916162 We reheat left over 'Za for break or lunch in our cast iron skillet; makes the crust hot & crispy again. Tue Aug 04 08:55:32 -0700 2009 4824484 93538 Passadumkeg 2 4819771 I love cold pizza Tue Jun 30 18:28:59 -0700 2009 4819278 109905 laliz 3 4820741 Me, too. Wed Jul 01 07:10:56 -0700 2009 4819771 253735 bayoucook 2 4861502 Agreed - cold pizza (and especially the next morning for breakfast) is just an abomination. Can't even look at the congealed cheese. Fried chicken (not that I eat it all that often) is another "I can't eat it the next day" item for me - either cold or reheated. Also - french fries. Wed Jul 15 12:50:59 -0700 2009 4819278 10532 LindaWhit 3 4915734 Cold fried chicken is the bees knees. I used to sometimes buy fried chicken purely so I could stick it straight in the fridge and enjoy cold fried chicken the next day. Granted, it's not as good as hot but it's almost a different dish when cold. Leftover french fries on the other hand ... Binned. There is just no coming back from the dead with fries. Tue Aug 04 06:21:08 -0700 2009 4861502 155106 Tsar_Pushka 4 4916098 Reading what I originally wrote - I *could* eat fried chicken again the next day - but it would have to be properly reheated and, hopefully, the crispy coating would be crispy again (perhaps a reheat in the oven). Tue Aug 04 08:39:23 -0700 2009 4915734 10532 LindaWhit 4 5090012 Gotta agree on the cold fried chicken. My older brother used to work at KFC and I remember those years so fondly because there was always a bucket of extra crispy chicken waiting for me in the fridge. Thu Oct 08 20:06:17 -0700 2009 4915734 56183 soypower 5 5090142 I didn't think that a Sunday picnic would ever be complete without cold fried chicken- that is why God invented tupperware and paper towels... Thu Oct 08 21:18:49 -0700 2009 5090012 96658 Clarkafella 2 4866967 Blasphemy! I sometimes order an extra pizza just to make sure some is left for breakfast! Fri Jul 17 07:30:57 -0700 2009 4819278 19113 Pylon 1 4819295 Fried rice and Pizza??? Are you guys insane? I can't think of anything better as leftovers! Maybe I'm the insane one... Tue Jun 30 15:22:01 -0700 2009 4819164 96658 Clarkafella 2 4819505 No, I'm with you on both. Steamed rice, however, is IMO terrible leftover. Tue Jun 30 16:41:12 -0700 2009 4819295 11106 tatamagouche 3 4819657 I see nothing wrong with either of the above. I can make left overs into other meals that don't resemble the first meal. I hate to toss out good usable food. With a little imagination you can turn it into something very good. Tue Jun 30 17:40:56 -0700 2009 4819505 89493 scubadoo97 4 4820847 I can take 3 meals+ and make something completely new. The other day I took left over rice from one dinner, left over grilled veggies from another, some frozen smoked chicken from a couple of weeks ago, chicken stock just a little left with some canned help and threw in some roasted tomatoes from a dish 4 days ago. Chicken soup was amazing. A smoky wild rice with grilled veggie topped with a sliced baguette which I topped with a smoky gouda and melted (also leftover from last week, I just froze the bread). I didn't serve eight but made 3-4 nice size bowls. I did have to add some fresh herbs and a little garlic, but otherwise, done. Leftovers rock! Wed Jul 01 07:44:20 -0700 2009 4819657 232829 kchurchill5 3 4820704 Both steamed rice or fried, they're my favorite for using the next day with eggs. I make a big pan of reheated rice in sesame oil, throw in a few eggs, onions, peppers, some hot sauce to finish, makes a big mess. Yummy. Wed Jul 01 06:58:33 -0700 2009 4819505 243273 pacheeseguy 3 4829623 You use the leftover steamed rice to make new fried rice. I do that a lot. Especially morning fried rice with extra scrambled egg. Sat Jul 04 13:02:49 -0700 2009 4819505 28006 Jennalynn 3 4861594 take the left over steamed rice add soy,eggs and onions and stir fry (fried rice) and pizza with hot sauce for breakfast IMHO the best life has to offer Wed Jul 15 13:17:43 -0700 2009 4819505 274698 pikiliz 1 4819304 leftover spaghetti, blech. Tue Jun 30 15:25:34 -0700 2009 4819164 15691 mcel215 2 4819765 Oooooh, leftover spaghetti makes the most wonderful frittata....pasta frittata....yum! Tue Jun 30 18:27:18 -0700 2009 4819304 27482 critter101 2 4819776 love leftover spaghetti Tue Jun 30 18:29:33 -0700 2009 4819304 109905 laliz 3 4820507 Saute leftover spaghetti in a good amount of butter, for a whole new dish. If it gets a little crispy, then that's a bonus. Wed Jul 01 05:32:37 -0700 2009 4819776 11097 coll 4 4824971 Putting a little freshly grated parmesan cheese and parsley with the sauted pasta is wonderful. The parm gets really gooey and delish! Thu Jul 02 11:51:57 -0700 2009 4820507 729068 cookieluvntasha 5 4825016 Plain ol' butter and parm on leftover plain pasta is a great sauce too. Just add a little pepper. We should make up a fancy name for it, everyone eats it right up and never asks what it actually is. Thu Jul 02 12:09:05 -0700 2009 4824971 11097 coll 6 4831908 I don't think I said it was plain. I just said leftover spaghetti. Sun Jul 05 19:06:30 -0700 2009 4825016 15691 mcel215 7 4832367 So try it sometime, it's good. I do it both ways. Mon Jul 06 02:42:52 -0700 2009 4831908 11097 coll 7 4902277 Mmm, I love cold, tomato-saucy spaghetti the next day!! Wed Jul 29 21:17:31 -0700 2009 4831908 212582 schrutefarms 3 4820853 My spaghetti wouldn't make it to a frittata, I would devour it before. I love it too, better the second day. Wed Jul 01 07:45:05 -0700 2009 4819776 232829 kchurchill5 1 4819311 Boiled dumplings. Potstickers can sometimes be salvaged, but boiled dumplings stick together, or the dough on the bottom falls off, or parts of the dough become hard...ick. And if you microwave them, they make an ungodly smell that horrifies even lovers of stinky tofu. Tue Jun 30 15:31:30 -0700 2009 4819164 11577 Pei 2 4819349 Have you tried steaming them? Tue Jun 30 15:46:37 -0700 2009 4819311 11583 ipsedixit 1 4819381 Leftover fried stuff is usually yick- in particular french fries. There is no going back... For me it's leftover tuna fish. Something evil happens to it if it hangs out for several hours and I won't eat it. I dearly LOVE my bacon but I won't eat it cold or leftover or (gag) re-heated. Tue Jun 30 15:57:18 -0700 2009 4819164 110426 Boccone Dolce 2 4819471 *shudder* I'm with you on the fried stuff. Rubbery bacon, straight, gives me the willies, though it recycles nicely in a quiche Lorraine. I have friends who love cold fried chicken even more than the stuff fresh from the fryer. If you ever want something to do with a significant amount of leftover fries, try making either a Greek-style omelet (fries, eggs, feta, oregeno) or a Chinese stirfry with thinly cut strips of meat (generally pork or beef), onions, other vegetables (optional) and gravy. It's surprisingly good. There's a similar Peruvian dish called lomo saltado. Tue Jun 30 16:32:12 -0700 2009 4819381 64215 cimui 3 4823662 Leftova cold fried chicken? Gaaa! Once you hit a pocket of cold, congealed fat hiding in a hallow of breading, snacky time is OVA! (eek! run! I really hate the feeling of a lump of cold fat high up on my tongue!!) (there are not enough exclamation points!) Thu Jul 02 03:42:00 -0700 2009 4819471 110426 Boccone Dolce 4 4823873 Don't go to a tailgate party in the S.E.C. lots of good cold fried chicken in August and September. Thu Jul 02 06:20:44 -0700 2009 4823662 107060 hazelhurst 4 4824642 Yes, a horrible trap! The breading looks so nice and delicious on the outside, you bite into -- and SHAZZAM! You have a cold, congealed fat grenade explode in your mouth. It is amazing how much better a lump of lump of warm, melty fat tastes than a lump of cold, congealed fat! Thu Jul 02 10:16:48 -0700 2009 4823662 64215 cimui 5 4825647 I gagged when I read your last sentence and had to quickly soothe my soul by holding my cursor over your puppy picture. Sweet furry puppies make me feel less like gagging over the words 'lumpy cold congealed fat' KAAAAAAAAA! But it's so true- yer all happy, smiley, dancing in the sun with a hunk o'cold fried chicken in yer hands- yer waving it in the air, talkin, laugin, and then you take a nibble and.... and.... this is why God invented alcohol- to help us forget. I personally love cold pizza and most leftovers, I have even plucked shredded iceberg from a burrito so I could warm it up and eat it again- which was a once in a lifetime event because re-heated burrito is bad. I'm glad to take these challenges head on, so that you, the home viewer shant suffer... Thu Jul 02 15:56:01 -0700 2009 4824642 110426 Boccone Dolce 6 4825653 bd, trouper of the year! Thu Jul 02 15:57:50 -0700 2009 4825647 105717 alkapal 4 4861619 I go fishing often and go to my local publix and buy fried chicken the key is to let it cool on a sheet pan until room temp then refrigerate. nothing better than cold fried chicken 40 miles offshore oh and catching fresh tuna Wed Jul 15 13:22:54 -0700 2009 4823662 274698 pikiliz 3 4832128 Most fried foods are god-awful after they've cooled down (so floppy and unappetizing), but cold fried chicken is divine! Even better than fresh fried chicken :-). Sun Jul 05 20:59:26 -0700 2009 4819471 75881 vorpal 4 4832234 And you don't even have the excuse of being southern, I don't think. ;) Actually, I can see why you like it. The frying keeps the meat nice and moist. If I had my druthers, though, I'd pick off all the crunchy, fried breading fresh out of the fryer and leave the meat for later. Sun Jul 05 22:19:22 -0700 2009 4832128 64215 cimui 2 4819778 I agree about left over french fries, no good Tue Jun 30 18:30:09 -0700 2009 4819381 109905 laliz 2 4820184 I agree that anything that has been deep fried is unpalatable when cold or reheated. I'm not a fan of leftover Chinese or Thai food. Tue Jun 30 21:51:35 -0700 2009 4819381 22220 Kelli2006 3 4823665 Kelli! No cold Chinese outta the carton eaten standing in front of the open fridge with sticks (or your fingers if you are too sleepy to find the chop sticks??!)?!?! It HAS to be out of the paper carton with the wire handle though. If it's in those blasted half tin/half plastic bowl and lid combos then it's no fun cold. Thu Jul 02 03:44:19 -0700 2009 4820184 110426 Boccone Dolce 2 4820720 Mostly agree with you on fried stuff, especially fried seafood - completely inedible. The big exception being, of course, cold fried chicken. Wed Jul 01 07:03:44 -0700 2009 4819381 14386 BobB 3 4821157 I love leftover cold fried crab rangoon Wed Jul 01 09:01:17 -0700 2009 4820720 11222 Infomaniac 4 4828886 Hm. That is in the fridge for lunch today and I was dreading the soggy-ness of reheated crab rangoon, but cold... we shall see. I am not a big fan of leftovers for dinner, but frequently package them up for lunch. M,uch better than hospital cafeteria food, lol Sat Jul 04 06:09:42 -0700 2009 4821157 65067 jme1beachbum 5 4829617 Ew ew ew, cold crab rangoon are worse than reheated. I couldn't actually swallow it. Oh well, to each their own. Sat Jul 04 12:58:10 -0700 2009 4828886 65067 jme1beachbum 6 4831505 anything is ok done in a hot cast iron skillet -- even crab rangoon! Sun Jul 05 16:10:53 -0700 2009 4829617 105717 alkapal 6 4831805 Sorry the cold crab rangoon didn't work for you....thanks for giving it a try. Sun Jul 05 18:20:54 -0700 2009 4829617 11222 Infomaniac 2 4821739 There is something in my genes that causes me severe psychic pain if I waste food, so almost all my leftovers eventually are consumed. But I am with you there on fried foods. They're just not as good the next day... not that that will stop me from eating them. Throw on some sauces or perhaps heat it in the broiler and you can come up with something reasonably palatable. I wonder, though, how I would feel about leftover sushi. That might be one food I'd have second thoughts about. Wed Jul 01 11:39:42 -0700 2009 4819381 68363 JungMann 3 4822762 yep, sushi was on my original list. i'm actually surprised more people didn't mention it. ick. Wed Jul 01 17:10:32 -0700 2009 4821739 103920 goodhealthgourmet 4 4823228 I don't think I'd eat it left over... but I never have any left! :) Wed Jul 01 20:16:31 -0700 2009 4822762 65780 jujuthomas 5 4823344 When I was a kid, my mom would make sushi rolls for me with the only things I would try - fried chicken and veggies. It took a while longer to enjoy raw fish - after I finished studying the anatomy of squid by dissecting it, I decided I should try it. The nori was chewy on those leftover rolls, but I didn't care. Leftover "kentucky" rolls, lo mein and fried rice (with duck sauce mixed in) were my favorite school lunches. Salt, sugar and fat - YUM. Wed Jul 01 21:04:07 -0700 2009 4823228 152043 TampaAurora 3 4823447 Sushi with fish = no go. Sushi with vegetables and/or eggs I'll eat happily! Every time one of my college roommate's parents came to visit, her very nice mother would bring us giant Tupperware containers of Korean style futomaki rolls. These would stay in our fridge for a week or two as we tried very, very hard not to snarf them all too quickly. I also used to get these in my lunch box in elementary school. The soft, stretchy nori doesn't bother me at all. Wed Jul 01 21:56:03 -0700 2009 4821739 64215 cimui 4 4823741 i never have left over sushi, but if i did i don't think they would be very appetizing. when my mom would make kim bap with various veggies and meat and there were leftovers, they would go in the fridge...the rice would get cold and hard but my ingenious mother would get out the cast iron, put a little bit of oil in the pan and fry those pieces up. the outer rice would get a nice crunch while the insides would get heated through and soft. incredibly delicious! Thu Jul 02 05:20:25 -0700 2009 4823447 91772 liveloveat34 5 4824623 that *is* sort of ingenious! i would love that! i think our futomaki in college didn't actually get too hard in the fridge because we had one of those small, barely functional dorm-sized contraptions that didn't really get very cold at all. i'm sure they violated all sorts of food safety regulations (i.e. milk would go back ultra quickly)... but the upside is that it kept rice from getting too hard. :) Thu Jul 02 10:12:30 -0700 2009 4823741 64215 cimui 6 4825083 yup and depending on my mood n my mom's, we would purposefully put some in the fridge so we could heat them up later... try it out! Thu Jul 02 12:35:32 -0700 2009 4824623 91772 liveloveat34 3 4829624 I've never had any sushi leftover. Sat Jul 04 13:04:08 -0700 2009 4821739 28006 Jennalynn 2 4823950 That's funny. Making tuna fish (as in tunafish sandwiches) I think is better when I make it a couple hours ahead of time. Then the ginger and scallion or other flavors get a change to meld better. Thu Jul 02 06:45:03 -0700 2009 4819381 59951 thinks too much 3 4824627 I like that you make tunafish salad with ginger and scallion! Thu Jul 02 10:12:55 -0700 2009 4823950 64215 cimui 3 4825096 ditto with the tuna salad for sandwiches. I much prefer to make it ahead and chill. Thu Jul 02 12:38:49 -0700 2009 4823950 109905 laliz 2 4832126 Mmmm... cold bacon is something I *love*! Pass it this way, please! Sun Jul 05 20:58:16 -0700 2009 4819381 75881 vorpal 2 4833327 Leftover bacon? Isn't that an oxymoron, like "Jumbo Shrimp" or "Military Intelligence"? (R.I.P., G.C.) I have never seen leftover bacon...never. I'm pretty sure there are ordinances prohibiting such a thing. :D Mon Jul 06 10:13:39 -0700 2009 4819381 95137 mcsheridan 1 4819429 This will surely expose me! I don't like leftover chicken or turkey. It takes on a very gamey flavor that I don't taste at all w/chicken and hardly with turkey when cooked fresh. I wish it wasn't the case. It would be so much easier to cook a huge batch of chicken on Saturday and eat it for lunch all week long on salads. For whatever reason, grinding the chicken and adding onions/garlic (ala meatballs) changes the whole thing for me and I don't get the gamey thing the next day. Nor do I get it with chicken tenders. Go figure. Tue Jun 30 16:13:51 -0700 2009 4819164 12912 sasha1 2 4820834 i thought i was the only one that refused to eat leftover cooked chicken! i need to try your meatball idea for my leftovers. Wed Jul 01 07:40:08 -0700 2009 4819429 192154 pie22 3 5083696 This is not a timely response! :) Sorry. I'm afraid there might be a miscommunication. I can't grind up cooked chicken, add onions, and have it lose that gamey taste. I meant, but I guess I wasn't clear, that if I make chicken meatballs, using raw ground chicken, that the leftovers don't taste gamey to me, and I don't mind eating them. Sorry for any confusion. Tue Oct 06 14:51:45 -0700 2009 4820834 12912 sasha1 4 5100937 ahh ok, thank you for the clarification - that make sense in my mind - i will still need to try it out! Tue Oct 13 16:50:45 -0700 2009 5083696 192154 pie22 2 5083827 Gamey??????? From domesticated drug laden chicken? Don't think so. Tue Oct 06 15:47:05 -0700 2009 4819429 93538 Passadumkeg 3 5084896 In my perception maybe not gamey, but there is a distinct smell to chicken and especially to ground chicken. Sort of a strong albumin smell, which is rather fitting I suppose. Wed Oct 07 06:01:19 -0700 2009 5083827 13709 buttertart 3 5085761 We won't go into the type of chicken I buy, because I don't believe I mentioned it. But thanks for thinking so highly of my food choices. Yeah, next day chicken and turkey have a flavor I don't care for, and that I don't sense when they are fresh cooked. In fact, it doesn't have to be next day either. Anytime I refrigerate it, it takes on the flavor I don't like, whether I eat it cold afterwards or reheat it. Wed Oct 07 10:56:09 -0700 2009 5083827 12912 sasha1 4 5102475 nuked leftover chicken is stinky -- esp, on the bone! Wed Oct 14 09:44:59 -0700 2009 5085761 105717 alkapal 2 5085736 I agree it has an off taste. What I don't understand is why the prepackaged cooked chicken I have used in a pinch doesn't have that taste? It's actually not bad, not like fresh, but not bad. Wed Oct 07 10:49:41 -0700 2009 4819429 100890 breakfastfan 1 4819438 French fries Fried fish no cold rice Tacos (like a fully built taco nuked, yecch) Tater Tots too! burnt up hot dogs(they're ok right off the grill but no reheats) I'm gonna keep thinking on this and get back. Tue Jun 30 16:18:48 -0700 2009 4819164 140140 mrbigshotno.1 2 4819448 eggrolls Tue Jun 30 16:23:43 -0700 2009 4819438 140140 mrbigshotno.1 3 4820844 oh wow, i buy extra for midnight snacks they are great for soaking up the extra alcohol after a night of few too many beverages! Wed Jul 01 07:43:20 -0700 2009 4819448 192154 pie22 2 4820066 I take our leftover tator tots and break them up into little pieces and make a sort of hash brown dish with them. Very good with some bacon bits and shredded cheese mixed in. I do agree about the leftover eggrolls, though. Tue Jun 30 20:29:01 -0700 2009 4819438 80937 danhole 3 4820076 ok, leftover Tater Tots sound like an urban myth to me...how can you resist polishing them off the first time around? ;) Tue Jun 30 20:35:26 -0700 2009 4820066 103920 goodhealthgourmet 4 4820122 LOL! When we go out to eat and get them we share a batch and there are no leftovers, but when I make them at home I purposely make extra for leftovers. No urban myth here! Tue Jun 30 21:05:29 -0700 2009 4820076 80937 danhole 3 4820861 I have to laugh, a friend recently gave me some from his freezer because he was moving. I do like them as is ... I admit it. But I had 3 bags. So I thawed them mixed with green onions, garlic, some bread crumbs, egg, onion, red pepper and made patties that were great. Melted some cheese and a poached egg, and the one night I served them with fried fish. I love them. Wed Jul 01 07:48:25 -0700 2009 4820066 232829 kchurchill5 2 4820123 omg I love cold fried fish Tue Jun 30 21:05:59 -0700 2009 4819438 22559 smartie 3 4820511 When I fry flounder, I have to make at least 4 or 5 extra so my husband can have cold fried flounder sandwiches for lunch the next few days. As a matter of fact, that's what he's having today! Wed Jul 01 05:34:52 -0700 2009 4820123 11097 coll 3 4820708 I always make a few extra pieces for the next day. Makes great fish tacos for lunch. Wed Jul 01 06:59:33 -0700 2009 4820123 243273 pacheeseguy 1 4819486 Scrambled eggs, Cheerios, buttered toast, coffee. Tue Jun 30 16:37:21 -0700 2009 4819164 57170 Veggo 2 4819910 Scargod, Scar-woman, Mr. O and I are in total agreement. Tue Jun 30 19:29:37 -0700 2009 4819486 131001 c oliver 2 4820071 sorry, Leftover coffee is the best for iced coffee, I was taught never to use today's coffee for iced. BUT, I agree with you about the eggs, cereal and toast Tue Jun 30 20:32:52 -0700 2009 4819486 274541 bagelman01 2 4820773 Yuck! Scrambled eggs leftovers are the worst! Definitely with you on that! Wed Jul 01 07:24:13 -0700 2009 4819486 180029 fmcoxe6188 1 4819489 There are very, very few things I don't at least attempt to eat as leftovers, though often recycled in another form. The only one I can think of right now that I can't touch at all is leftover avocado salad.... the wilted lettuce, the brown avocado. Gnarly. Other salads usually don't hold up so well, either, but if it's only a little wilted, I'll try to eat it because I so hate to waste food. I'm eating the remains of my salad from lunch right now. Tue Jun 30 16:38:15 -0700 2009 4819164 64215 cimui 2 5112514 ditto on salads. Sun Oct 18 12:28:06 -0700 2009 4819489 174326 zseckley 2 5112527 If I know I'm making an anything-goes soup or stew the following day, I've been known to save dressed salad and toss it in the pot. But otherwise, nope. Sun Oct 18 12:34:40 -0700 2009 4819489 131001 c oliver 3 5113914 Makes me think of garbage soup, attributed to Phyllis Diller: yesterday's salad + chicken broth heated and puréed in the blender. Not bad actually. Mon Oct 19 07:02:40 -0700 2009 5112527 13709 buttertart 1 4819514 Leftover hamburger patties gross me out. Tue Jun 30 16:43:50 -0700 2009 4819164 14488 Bcakes 1 4819634 most of mine have been mentioned, though i can't eat some of them anymore anyway because they typically contain gluten: - fried anything - pizza - baked potato (all varieties) - sandwiches - bacon - sushi - anything with chips in it (e.g. nachos) Tue Jun 30 17:33:30 -0700 2009 4819164 103920 goodhealthgourmet 2 4819654 Fries or nachos, pancakes, waffels. NO tortillas are gross, but if I make tacos I save the fillings and then remake. Otherwise, I can't think of anything much. Maybe sandwiches, I don't like soggy, but I have never brought home a sandwich, but that may be gross. Burgers, I also don't bring home burgers, who would. I would eat mine. Just me I guess. I rarely bring home leftovers so I can't say too much but I eat leftover that I cook all the time. I like all leftovers for the most part. Tue Jun 30 17:40:15 -0700 2009 4819634 232829 kchurchill5 3 4819674 ooh, i forgot pancakes and waffles! add those to my list :) Tue Jun 30 17:46:51 -0700 2009 4819654 103920 goodhealthgourmet 4 4820514 I always make extra of both, then freeze, then when I need a quick breakfast just toast in the toaster oven. Wed Jul 01 05:36:42 -0700 2009 4819674 11097 coll 5 4821264 i've tried that, but they just end up too dry for my preferences. but that's just me! Wed Jul 01 09:33:40 -0700 2009 4820514 103920 goodhealthgourmet 6 4821303 pancakes and waffles never worked for me, but not opposed to them. Just don't eat them and don't care for them much left over. Wed Jul 01 09:42:23 -0700 2009 4821264 232829 kchurchill5 6 4822039 I soak them with so much maple syrup, they couldn't be dry! Although I like things crispy too, so maybe it's that. Wed Jul 01 13:13:40 -0700 2009 4821264 11097 coll 7 4822708 I can handle the maple, doesn't sound too bad. Ever make a fried egg with a little maple in the butter in the pan. I never did but my friend does. Puts it with maple bacon on and English Muffin. Almost like the Mickey Dees sandwich. It honestly is good. I certainly never would of but why not. It is pretty good. Wed Jul 01 16:54:31 -0700 2009 4822039 232829 kchurchill5 2 4832137 Hear, hear. Nothing is more gross than wilted, soggy tortilla chips in leftover nachos! Ick. Sun Jul 05 21:06:51 -0700 2009 4819634 75881 vorpal 1 4819908 leftover fried clams Tue Jun 30 19:29:07 -0700 2009 4819164 11222 Infomaniac 2 4820074 never had any fried clams left over, but there is a restaurant in Old Saybrook, CT that makes great clam hash Tue Jun 30 20:34:34 -0700 2009 4819908 274541 bagelman01 3 4820523 Is that a fried clam hash? Can you post the name of the restaurant....I've never had a clam hash before and will be passing by Old Saybrook soon on my way to NYC. I'd go out of my way for a good hash. Wed Jul 01 05:43:47 -0700 2009 4820074 11222 Infomaniac 4 4822772 Pat's Kountry Kitchen It's not a fried clam hash, but I have made clam hash with leftover fried clams, the breading sort of melts into the fats and potaoes and crisps up nicely. Unlike the picture attached, I don't put a fried egg on top, but serve the hash with scrambled eggs. Wed Jul 01 17:15:57 -0700 2009 4820523 274541 bagelman01 1 4819933 +predressed lettuce leafs. There is no recovery for wilted goo. Tue Jun 30 19:38:20 -0700 2009 4819164 137755 Sal Vanilla 2 4821371 I agree but just remembered reading about that icon of gastronomy Phyllis Diller being quoted somewhere in the distant past that she made "garbage soup" with leftover dressed salad and chicken broth, pureed and heated. Wouldn't be bad, I shouldn't think (although can't say I've tried it). Wed Jul 01 10:02:24 -0700 2009 4819933 13709 buttertart 1 4820464 Hard-shell tacos, burgers, guacamole. www.thelunchbelle.com Wed Jul 01 05:12:05 -0700 2009 4819164 110996 LeahBaila 1 4820484 fried anything... eeuw! the white rice you get with chinese take out - it gets really hard and dry overnight, even when I put it in a plastic container. I'd rather make fresh - I will eat home cooked rice leftover tho! ;-) DH won't eat fish or steamed green beans. Wed Jul 01 05:22:30 -0700 2009 4819164 65780 jujuthomas 2 4866057 Stir-fried with an egg, soy sauce, and green onions, left-over steamed rice makes great fried rice the next day. Try it sometime! Thu Jul 16 19:41:56 -0700 2009 4820484 57371 operagirl 1 4820658 Anything with seafood or anchovies (such as puttanesca sauce)....I make a great seafood lasagna but cannot stomach it leftover. Dh loves it leftover. Wed Jul 01 06:37:40 -0700 2009 4819164 11990 Janet from Richmond 1 4820715 I once brought home some uneaten fried onion rings, thought they'd be good the next day for a snack. The bartender advised me not to do it, said they'd be lousy. I left them in the backseat of the car that night, forgot they were there. I sure remembered the next morning as I headed out to work. Won't do that again. Wed Jul 01 07:01:30 -0700 2009 4819164 243273 pacheeseguy 2 4828901 Haha, I have a doggy bag complex too! I always have to bring home what I didn't finish. I have def left it in the car, pee-yew, windows open for that ride to work! I think its from my dad, he has a thing about food going to waste. Sat Jul 04 06:17:23 -0700 2009 4820715 65067 jme1beachbum 1 4820737 Roasted pork loin. No matter how I try to hide it in gravy, etc., it just has an off taste that I can't get past. Too bad, too, because in the winter it's one of my favorite Sunday meals, and it's hard to make a pork roast just for two. Wed Jul 01 07:09:39 -0700 2009 4819164 66030 lisavf 2 4821389 Have you eaten it cold in sandwiches, thinly sliced, on good bread with nice hot mustard and whatever else you like? My favorite meat for sandwiches. Wed Jul 01 10:04:34 -0700 2009 4820737 13709 buttertart 2 4821415 Roast pork is probably my favorite for cold leftovers or in sandwiches or just reheated. I make it all the time. Wed Jul 01 10:10:55 -0700 2009 4820737 232829 kchurchill5 3 4822344 But don't you think it tastes "off" the next day? I'm talking about just a plain old pork loin roast. I love it freshly cooked, but reheated, not so much. buttertart, I never thought of trying it cold on a sandwich (duh). I'll try that and see. Wed Jul 01 14:33:58 -0700 2009 4821415 66030 lisavf 4 4822727 Usually when I make pork I either braise it in beer with roasted onions, I have an amazing soy and brown sugar marinade for loins or tenderloins and grilled which is very very sweet and tender. Great hot or cold. Or I BBQ. I rarely make a plain roast without fresh herbs and flavors. Cold on a sandwich is wonderful with a little mustard or mustard aioli, lettuce tomato, just like chicken or beef. Even if you don't cook it with BBQ, just add a little to the grilled bread or bun, some cold pork, sliced onion and it is wonderful. Also use it in pasta just like chicken, stir fried rice or even a stir fry. Even a pot pie, just like chicken or turkey. Can I ask how you cook your pork. There are many easy ways to give it tons of flavor without much work. My last one I roasted with apple juice, orange juice, and onions, fennel and fresh thyme. Wed Jul 01 16:59:47 -0700 2009 4822344 232829 kchurchill5 5 4824026 My favorite for pork loin is a simple roast with rosemary, thyme, garlic, black pepper, seared on the stovetop then roasted in the oven to 140, then I make gravy in the pan after it comes out of the oven. It's a simple classic preparation. I've done others, but this is my favorite and DH's most frequently requested meal in the colder months. For tenderloins, I am always trying something different, lots of different flavorings, and I love to grill them. My favorite is a honey-ginger-oyster sauce marinade / sauce, but I'll try lots of different ones. There's generally no leftovers because they are pretty small to begin with. I mean, I can get a <1 lb. loin, but it's pretty puny and doesn't cook up as nicely as say a 1.5 lb. or 2 lb. I used to always make a 1.5 or 2 lb. and send all leftovers to my grandfather, but he's recently passed, and I now find myself with leftovers, hence my newfound dislike of leftover pork loin roast. Thu Jul 02 07:14:59 -0700 2009 4822727 66030 lisavf 6 4824276 Over the weekend I'll try to post (on home cooking) 3 things I do with leftover pork that we really like (and do more to disguise the taste than eating it cold does). Thu Jul 02 08:37:19 -0700 2009 4824026 13709 buttertart 7 4824444 I just pressure cook it and then add some beer and BBQ sauce, cook it down a little and voila, instant pulled pork for sandwiches. Or julienne for some kind of stir fry. Thu Jul 02 09:26:28 -0700 2009 4824276 11097 coll 6 4824495 My fave marinade for a tenderloin is: soy; brown sugar, cumin, paprika, garlic, mustard, cilantro. For pork roasts I love to cook with the fresh herbs, rosemary and thyme, garlic, sliced onions and beer. Makes a great flavor. To me they both make great leftovers, hot or cold. Thu Jul 02 09:41:47 -0700 2009 4824026 232829 kchurchill5 4 4823920 I think it tastes best cold, actually. One of the nicest lunches of my life was at the Bay Wolf restaurant in Oakland, CA ages ago - very thinly sliced roast loin of pork with a sharply-dressed mixed l;ettuces salad (this before the day of the ubiquitous "mesclun" salad) and slices of perfectly-ripe Haas avocado. With a baguette and a white Burgundy, divine. Thu Jul 02 06:36:31 -0700 2009 4822344 13709 buttertart 4 4824888 Lisa - cold pork loin is key to a good cuban sandy. Try one of those babies! Sometimes I will sneak off some meat from the loin before I cook it and the following day pound it out, bread it up and fry it for sandwiches. My DH loves them! Thu Jul 02 11:29:15 -0700 2009 4822344 137755 Sal Vanilla 1 4821038 I actually save fried rice when I have it so that I can eat some cold for leftovers the next day! That said, besides pre-dressed greens and french fries, I don't think I can eat leftover noodles in soup the next day. The noodles get so soggy and mushy, after all the liquid gets absorbed...ick! Chowmein, lo-mein or other fried noodles, maybe. Wed Jul 01 08:30:16 -0700 2009 4819164 166743 pinkprimp 2 4821671 I would like to add another one: toasted garlic bread. It never seems to soften up properly the next day. Wed Jul 01 11:20:07 -0700 2009 4821038 166743 pinkprimp 3 4824894 My mom swears by dampening a paper towel, wrapping the bread and then putting that in foil. It softens them right up. She then sometimes unfoils them and recrisps. NOTHING gets tossed in Casamama! Thu Jul 02 11:31:02 -0700 2009 4821671 137755 Sal Vanilla 4 4825075 Now *that* is genius. Thu Jul 02 12:33:31 -0700 2009 4824894 166743 pinkprimp 1 4821117 I’ve been wracking my brain, and I can’t think of a thing I wouldn’t eat leftover. Cold leftover french fries and pizza are terrific, and I like to make extra pancakes to munch on at work. Sure none of those things are as good as fresh, but they have their own character that lends itself to a satisfying nibble. Leftover fried rice, like thew said above, is wonderful after a nuking. AH! I just thought of one...I will not eat leftover peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Wed Jul 01 08:51:08 -0700 2009 4819164 233294 cuccubear 1 4821387 I think there must be something wrong with me, I can only think of one thing I might not eat as a leftover, dressed salads with croutons that go all squishy the next day. I will eat leftover french fries, but it's not something i'd ever take home from a restaurant, ever. Other items can be recrisped in the oven. Or maybe things that would require a crowbar to pull apart if reheated, like nachos. Wed Jul 01 10:04:25 -0700 2009 4819164 153184 im_nomad 2 4821424 Ok add salad with croutons for me too. YUCK! Wed Jul 01 10:11:57 -0700 2009 4821387 232829 kchurchill5 1 4821705 Certain Indian food, especially saag. What a mess the next morning Wed Jul 01 11:29:01 -0700 2009 4819164 1090089 Bob Grove 2 4821740 What's wrong with leftover saag? I just had some for lunch. Wed Jul 01 11:40:03 -0700 2009 4821705 68363 JungMann 3 4823031 first, who has *leftover* saag? second, even if such a thing were to exist, it would be delicious reheated in a little pot on the stove. Wed Jul 01 18:54:00 -0700 2009 4821740 105717 alkapal 2 4824906 What? I dream of leftover saag. I have tried making giant batches so some will be left over, but little mice nibble away at it in the fridge and by morning (I get up early to snag left over indian) the leftover dish is sitting in the sink or is in the fridge with ONE bite left in it. Thu Jul 02 11:33:27 -0700 2009 4821705 137755 Sal Vanilla 1 4822021 I can't really think of anything that won't reheat except greasy fried food. There isn't any practical way to reheat deep-fried stuff without making a big mess or making it soggy and limp. Just about everything else is either fine reheated in the microwave or good cold. Oh, and most salads just don't hold up well in the fridge either... they go limp and soggy and disgusting! Lettuce is just not made to be recycled... Wed Jul 01 13:09:06 -0700 2009 4819164 67657 Kajikit 1 4823023 leftover chicken heated in a microwave. it steeeeenks! leftover salad is very, very sad..... Wed Jul 01 18:52:23 -0700 2009 4819164 105717 alkapal 1 4823793 I disagree that fried food can't be reheated well. It just doesn't reheat in the microwave. Reheat it in a hot oven and it gets nice and crisp again. I won't eat leftover dressed salad, but then I won't eat dressed salad unless it's absolutely fresh. I hate Caesar salad when it even sits for 10 minutes. Thu Jul 02 05:54:28 -0700 2009 4819164 139219 Sooeygun 1 4823813 to my taste, the best way to reheat french fries is in a hot cast iron skillet on the stove, with a wee bit of oil. yum! extra crispy! Thu Jul 02 06:03:30 -0700 2009 4819164 105717 alkapal 2 4824029 Oooh, that sounds yummy. I think I'll try that next time instead of throwing them away. Thu Jul 02 07:16:06 -0700 2009 4823813 66030 lisavf 2 4824611 That's my favorite way to heat up _any_ leftovers, especially the aforementioned spaghetti. Thu Jul 02 10:10:04 -0700 2009 4823813 233294 cuccubear 3 4832143 Agreed. That's how I heat up almost all my leftovers and it makes them delicious. Fresh rice noodles are abysmally disgusting after being cooked and refrigerated - talk about unpleasant texture - but a quick stir fry with oil and water makes the slurpy and delicious once more. Sun Jul 05 21:11:35 -0700 2009 4824611 75881 vorpal 1 4824850 sushi that has raw fish in it...i know some people who do, but it is nasty to me. Thu Jul 02 11:17:14 -0700 2009 4819164 40743 lawyerlady 1 4825295 Leftover lamb. Ugh. I love lamb - especially lamb chops on the grill. But I can't eat them leftover the next day - they take on a gamy taste that isn't there to begin with. Something about the fat that congeals then even when re-heated, just doesn't taste the same. My husband loves me for this foible. He gets all the leftover lamb. Thu Jul 02 13:50:56 -0700 2009 4819164 83022 MrsCris 1 4825694 Fish. Baked potatoes. The best boiled potatoes for leftover are salt potatoes (of central NY and Iberian fame): they reheat much better than more typical boiled potatoes. Grains and pastes have to be reheated carefully (no high-power m-wave for them, please!) because they get denatured in refrigeration. Long thin pastas are a particular problem and not worth the effort unless simply added to soup or eggs or something like that. Too flabby otherwise. Lean proteins (fish, shellfish, poultry, eggs, lean red meat) should not be recooked but warmed (the best way is to put them in an airfree and airtight high-gauge plastic bag in a bowl and run hot tap water over it for a while). The microwave is often the culprit in mediocre leftovers. Too many people lack the patience to use it on 20% or 30% power the way it should more typically be used. Thu Jul 02 16:11:53 -0700 2009 4819164 13819 Karl S 2 4825868 I take leftover fish and make a tuna salad equivalent. Thu Jul 02 17:28:00 -0700 2009 4825694 131001 c oliver 3 4826028 leftover salmon is great as a "salad". Thu Jul 02 18:20:04 -0700 2009 4825868 105717 alkapal 4 4865200 as is fresh lake trout (mackinaw) - especially from really cold water like Lake Tahoe. Thu Jul 16 14:07:08 -0700 2009 4826028 223367 nvcook 2 4826017 with leftover baked potato, i make a "stuffed potato" by removing the potato "inside", blending with cheeses, fresh chives, maybe some sour cream, then baking to warm through and melt cheese. (or add sliced green onion, and serve as "potato skins" topped with sour cream and pico de gallo). that...or just slice the tater and pan fry with some sliced onion in a little bacon fat. Thu Jul 02 18:17:33 -0700 2009 4825694 105717 alkapal 3 4826108 >>just slice the tater and pan fry with some sliced onion in a little bacon fat. a beautiful (southern) dish. great stuff. plain ol' potato salad is also great, and aloo gobi... Thu Jul 02 18:50:04 -0700 2009 4826017 64215 cimui 2 4826112 Karl, not to gross you out too much, but I love taking leftover baked potatoes with me when I hike or climb. A potato and a little salt packet -- and maybe a hardboiled egg or hunk of cheese -- makes for great, compact and highly portable fuel. (I agree that it probably tastes a lot better at the summit of a mountain than at the foot, though. :) Thu Jul 02 18:52:38 -0700 2009 4825694 64215 cimui 1 4825705 Except for raw-seafood sushi, I haven't seen anything here yet that I'd eat normally that I wouldn't eat left over. Thu Jul 02 16:17:00 -0700 2009 4819164 105625 EWSflash 1 4826030 On principle, I don't throw out food. I'll repurpose leftovers into new dishes, or eat them as is, even if they don't taste good, as long as nothing is seriously spoiled (notice the qualifier - I'll even eat something that's just starting to turn evil). On rare occasions, the dogs may get some leftovers if I'm really tired of them. I think the last thing I tossed, a couple of years ago, was a supermarket cake (Market Basket) that looked good but was dry and achingly sweet, not suitable for consumption by man or beast. Thu Jul 02 18:20:25 -0700 2009 4819164 159317 greygarious 2 4826050 i'm with you on not wasting food. i am a depression-child by proxy. but, when it is not good, it goes out to the backyard "manimals." (really just "animals" but...with a funny nickname ;-). crows or coons or possums will enjoy the leftovers, then. the sparrows, robins, doves and cardinals like the stale bread. last week, i had some crows fighting over a corn cob! fun! Thu Jul 02 18:24:41 -0700 2009 4826030 105717 alkapal 3 4861516 alkapal, don't throw those corn cobs out to the crows before simmering them with some chopped onions, celery, and a bouquet garni to make a sort of corn stock (for corn chowder). I did that a few weeks ago, and the corn stock combined with homemade chicken stock made for a "cornier" chicken corn chowder. :-) Wed Jul 15 12:54:04 -0700 2009 4826050 10532 LindaWhit 2 4826143 alkapal, this is for you: http://skelanimals.com/meet-us (they don't eat leftovers, though.) grey, very good principle to live by! i'm all in favor. i kind of enjoy the creativity involved in repurposing leftovers, actually. we've ended up with some pretty interesting dishes! Thu Jul 02 19:02:28 -0700 2009 4826030 64215 cimui 3 4826218 skelanimals don't eat leftovers...they *are* leftovers, right? so then, before the crows hauled it off, i believe i've had a skelchicken in my yard. {;^D. Thu Jul 02 19:26:23 -0700 2009 4826143 105717 alkapal 4 4826228 =O bwahahahahahah!!!!! Thu Jul 02 19:29:30 -0700 2009 4826218 64215 cimui 3 4829543 i have a couple skelanimals tshirts.... and a keychain! lol Sat Jul 04 12:13:39 -0700 2009 4826143 264146 kubasd 4 4829561 me, too. =P elle the elephant and chungkee the panda. i guess i should've mentioned them on the food-themed clothing thread, huh? Sat Jul 04 12:21:42 -0700 2009 4829543 64215 cimui 5 4831512 there's a food-themed **clothing** thread? and i get "talked to" and "reined in" for not talking about "chow-ish" things???!! Sun Jul 05 16:12:53 -0700 2009 4829561 105717 alkapal 6 4832538 Join the club ;-) Mon Jul 06 05:52:28 -0700 2009 4831512 13709 buttertart 7 4832630 ;-)). but...buttertart...you?!?!? Mon Jul 06 06:32:42 -0700 2009 4832538 105717 alkapal 8 4833044 Oh yeah. More than once. Naughty naughty. Mon Jul 06 08:53:44 -0700 2009 4832630 13709 buttertart 6 4861892 No surprise that I get the "rein" treatment also :) Wed Jul 15 14:37:28 -0700 2009 4831512 131001 c oliver 1 4826255 What a wonderful thread. Every time somebody says, oh, puke, I can't stand that, somebody else says oh, yum, that's my favorite leftover. One man's poison, etc. . One hint: if you have a lot of food left over in a Chinese restaurant you probably bring it home, but if there's just a little you think it's not worth bringing home. Well, bring it home. You can add the little bit to a can of chicken broth and make wonderful Chinese soup. This works with anything in the restaurant except possibly the fortune cookies. Thu Jul 02 19:42:25 -0700 2009 4819164 15521 Querencia 2 4827453 great tip, Q. folks in China and Taiwan and I'm sure lots of other parts of the world have a long history of boiling leftovers into soup, especially in the pots they were cooked in. Fri Jul 03 10:21:32 -0700 2009 4826255 64215 cimui 1 4827218 Some foods, I find, are rather good reheated. Many Indian/Sri Lankan dishes, po troast, many tomato based sauces for pasta. On the other hand, most Chinese food must be frersh and hot. Once refrigerated and nuked, it's just not the same. There is nothing droopier than a reheated bean sprout. Fri Jul 03 08:44:42 -0700 2009 4819164 54222 ekammin 2 4861472 Agreed. I really hate nuked leftover Chinese food. To me, Chinese take out is only good if you are craving it, and only good for about the first fifteen minutes you scarf it. After that, it's garbage. I'm not even sure I would enjoy this leftover Chinese soup thing mentioned above. Wed Jul 15 12:43:24 -0700 2009 4827218 1092518 emmaleeb 1 4827600 bottom line: don't nuke...just bake or skillet! Fri Jul 03 11:51:24 -0700 2009 4819164 105717 alkapal 2 4832147 Agreed! I don't have a microwave nor do I plan on getting one any time soon - I just have no use for one. Microwaves ruin most leftovers. The best way to reheat things that need reheating is in a good cast iron skillet or in the oven! More time consuming, but well worth it! Sun Jul 05 21:14:49 -0700 2009 4827600 75881 vorpal 1 4828912 Just eat em ... all of em. Sat Jul 04 06:24:19 -0700 2009 4819164 36661 Sam Fujisaka 1 4829765 I have learned since being with my hubby to use my leftovers. But I agree with the french fries. They are past help. I do remember chopping them up and putting them in a breakfast burrito for him though. He liked it. I wouldn't eat left over sushi, if there ever was any. And egg rolls if they go in the fridge, and you try zap them, they are a limp greasy mess. that's about it, most of our leftovers are eaten by someone in the house. Boys. Sat Jul 04 14:18:02 -0700 2009 4819164 50431 chef chicklet 2 4831515 but....but...chef c!! don't diss the fries. heat 'em up in a hot skillet with a little oil. good stuff! Sun Jul 05 16:14:36 -0700 2009 4829765 105717 alkapal 3 4831676 I don't typically take home leftover fries, but if leftover from home (something I don't make), this put me in mind of something Mom used to make growing up with leftover potatoes or frozen fries and stuff of that ilk. She'd fry up onions in likely far too much butter, and toss the fries in, plus a bit of s&p. It was a bit of a hash. oh but it was good. Sun Jul 05 17:26:19 -0700 2009 4831515 153184 im_nomad 3 4861896 We put them on a baking sheet in a 350 oven for 15 minutes or so and they come out nice and crispy. Wed Jul 15 14:38:49 -0700 2009 4831515 131001 c oliver 3 4866498 Oh I know, I've since learned to do that. They do go in burritos and they are also good in an egg and veggie scramble. You are correcto-mundo. Fri Jul 17 01:47:37 -0700 2009 4831515 50431 chef chicklet 1 4832393 Short list: Leftover French Fries. I don't think there's any other leftover I can't or won't repurpose. On principle, cold pizza's a non-starter: I'm a big fan of reheated pizza, even for breakfast. And as I live solo, if it's brought in, there's always leftover pizza. YUM. (If I'm making a Boboli pizza, there's Never a leftover...I buy the single serving crusts.) Mon Jul 06 03:48:55 -0700 2009 4819164 95137 mcsheridan 2 4832650 Interesting I love leftover fried rice. I will not eat leftover tuna salad, even if I have made it and stored it, it just tastes off to me. Mon Jul 06 06:41:16 -0700 2009 4832393 32853 mmalmad 3 4832653 leftover tuna salad is non-existent in my household. ;-). Mon Jul 06 06:42:27 -0700 2009 4832650 105717 alkapal 1 4835137 Just about everything on this list so far is fair game for a leftovers meal in my kitchen, the only exceptions being things I don't eat anyway, like scrambled eggs and liver. I guess I'm another Great Depression survivor-by proxy when it comes to abhorring waste of food. Leftover pizza is always a meal to look forward to as far as I am concerned (but it has to be reheated in the oven, never eaten cold). And the microwave oven was a miracle invention as far as leftover rice (fried or steamed/boiled) goes. I can eat rice from a single batch for several days. Just mix in a little water before microwaving. The one dish I draw the line at is mac and cheese. Once that stuff gets cold and congeals, it it cannot be rescued. (OK, to be fair, I should state for the record that I never order mac & cheese in restaurants, and I usually pass on a serving of it when eating as a guest in someone else's house. Never cook it myself.) Mon Jul 06 19:40:22 -0700 2009 4819164 48389 racer x 1 4836665 Cold french fries! I was visiting my hometown years ago and staying at my parent's house where my widowed dad lived. I came home from a night out and had fries from the diner. I got munchy and ate a few....and started to choke! By the time I woke dad up, I managed to cough them out myself, but it scared me off of cold fries for good! Tue Jul 07 10:51:59 -0700 2009 4819164 12752 MsDiPesto 1 4859533 I'm happy with microwaved fried rice and cold pizza. The one leftover that stays in my fridge till it gets thrown out is most kinds of fish. Even if it's not dangerous or inedible (e.g. fresh cooked fish is fine healthwise the next day), it's just unappetizing. I think it's partly because there's no way to reheat without seriously overcooking, but the same is even true for something like a cold shrimp salad. Oddly, leftover spaghetti w/ clam sauce is probably my ultimate comfort food. The other category that others have mentioned is fried food. I'll nuke then toaster oven fries, but only in desperation. Onion rings are irredeemable.On the other hand, my Mississippi mother-in-law has served me some great cold fried chicken. I can't stand pre-dressed salads, but my mother loves them; it's just a different animal for her. Don't like leftover eggs, toast, pancakes, but never have them as I generally make them on demand - no kids and not a big breakfast eater. This is my first time to this site - thanks for an interesting discussion! Tue Jul 14 20:28:11 -0700 2009 4819164 1093730 annomy 1 4859693 Anything with broccoli or any other similar brassica. Sushi (or anything with sushi rice). Fries. Tue Jul 14 21:49:19 -0700 2009 4819164 145820 fmed 1 4863439 Fish. Beans. The End. Thu Jul 16 06:17:43 -0700 2009 4819164 280668 charentais 2 4864128 beans? that means my idea that beans are definitely better the next day is off-base? Thu Jul 16 09:32:42 -0700 2009 4863439 105717 alkapal 3 4864213 Also means that some people only cook small amounts of beans, defeating one of the best cook for several meals foods. Thu Jul 16 09:54:46 -0700 2009 4864128 36661 Sam Fujisaka 3 4864317 Totally agree with you on that, alkapal. Beans are so better the next day (or even the day after that). The umami and flavors of the spices really come out better the next day. Thu Jul 16 10:15:01 -0700 2009 4864128 48389 racer x 3 4865929 Yep. 100% off base. ;) Thu Jul 16 18:43:51 -0700 2009 4864128 280668 charentais 2 4866501 Ohhh, geez I make huge pots of beans and i'll eat them all week long. Actually the whole family does. It's a great late night snack. The boys will come in, and it's 2am and I'll hear the microwave whirring away. Then out comes the hot sauce, the sour cream, and all the rest. hmmm wonder what they've been up to. Then if there's any leftovers I freeze those and eat those for lunch. I LOVE beans! Fri Jul 17 01:51:35 -0700 2009 4863439 50431 chef chicklet 1 4864297 Reading this thread has awakened me to just how little deep-fried food I eat today compared to when I was younger. These days I only eat fries from a restaurant (fast-food restaurant, usually) and fried chicken or pork from a restaurant or relatives, so there's never an issue of leftovers with them. Thu Jul 16 10:11:21 -0700 2009 4819164 48389 racer x 1 4864616 wow, no one has said popcorn? I can't think of anything worse left over. Like eating styrofoam peanuts! Thu Jul 16 11:32:55 -0700 2009 4819164 72532 rds246 2 4864722 Are you kidding? I always pop more so I can have it the next day at work. I dump it into an old bread bag and it stays fresh enough. I agree though that once it hits the stale, styrofoam stage, it's food for the birdies. Thu Jul 16 11:59:49 -0700 2009 4864616 233294 cuccubear 3 4864938 amen, cuccu, another bread bag re-user! Thu Jul 16 12:57:18 -0700 2009 4864722 105717 alkapal 2 4864756 Oh good one. I have a colleague who has invented a popcorn diet for himself. He pops a bag of fat free stuff in the a.m. and eats it veeerrrrry slowly throughout the day... any leftovers are eaten as breakfast the next a.m.! I'm a bit worried he's going to die of scurvy. Thu Jul 16 12:08:11 -0700 2009 4864616 64215 cimui 3 4890701 I used to live off popcorn when I was anorexic and yes you end up vitamin/protein/iron deficient.(plus numerous other things). Hopefully this person eats more than that. Mine was the popcorn -diet coke diet. Sat Jul 25 19:44:12 -0700 2009 4864756 134437 salsailsa 2 4864874 My father tried to con me into believing he would eat leftover popcorn with milk and sugar when he was a kid. I knew it was a con, because once you get that stuff wet, forget it! Thu Jul 16 12:38:53 -0700 2009 4864616 233294 cuccubear 3 4864995 Not a con at all. I've heard other reports of this, particularly from the Depression era. And more recently, Alton Brown repopularized the practice by doing it on Good Eats. Thu Jul 16 13:11:39 -0700 2009 4864874 14386 BobB 4 4865022 Well, Dad was born a few weeks after the 1929 Crash, so maybe it's true. I'll have to try it out myself and see if the soggy, shriveled popcorn is any good. What a cheap alternative to store bought cereal. Thu Jul 16 13:17:05 -0700 2009 4864995 233294 cuccubear 2 4890731 I admit to having a fondness for cold popcorn. Love it hot, but also love it chilled, in the fridge. Must be some part of me having a throw back to childhood when we used to get baggies of popcorn while trick or treating that i'm sure had been made days prior. Or just that I love popcorn. Except that fat free styrofoam packing material-esque stuffl . Sat Jul 25 20:00:37 -0700 2009 4864616 153184 im_nomad 1 4890697 I agree with leftover french fries- they're terrible. Caesar salad the next day is usually pretty gross- soggy croutons and garlicky, limp lettuce. Day old calamari fritti is bad. Sat Jul 25 19:41:51 -0700 2009 4819164 134437 salsailsa 1 4895683 I love pasta leftovers: frittata di pasta is a wonderful thing. I love leftover risotto: risotto cakes fried in butter are wonderful things. But somehow when starch meets the sea and there are leftovers, I find them repulsive. Linguine alla clams with tons of homegrown parsley, chili flakes, toasted garlic and wine is a regular thing for me, and I always try to make exactly enough, but when I overdo it, I find the leftovers pretty heinous. There's only a ten-minute window on that kind of pasta, it seems to me. Same goes for riso frutti di mare...ugh. Mon Jul 27 19:06:42 -0700 2009 4819164 209317 SaltyRaisins 2 4896202 i'll pick out the frutti di mare bits and make a cold seafood salad, maybe add a bit of fresh diced tomato and lemon juice, maybe aioli and hearts of palm, artichoke or capers -- served on a fresh mesclun salad or on good toast. i can never waste seafood; i love it too much. Tue Jul 28 03:47:10 -0700 2009 4895683 105717 alkapal 2 5088812 Risotto cakes are okay - but eating cold risotto or trying to reheat is the unpardonable sin to any Italian catholic. Do this and you will skip purgatory and go straight to Hades. Thu Oct 08 11:43:24 -0700 2009 4895683 131643 RetiredChef 3 5089746 I wouldn't eat cold risotto-yech, a cold, gluey gelatinous mess. But, I use my leftover risotto o make deep fried risotto balls (much like risotto cakes I would imagine), and those are heaven!! Thu Oct 08 17:41:24 -0700 2009 5088812 212582 schrutefarms 3 5092767 Arancini- the wonderful offspring of leftover risotto! Fri Oct 09 21:44:34 -0700 2009 5088812 108820 QSheba 1 4902280 French Fries Dressed salads Cream based sauces (like chardonay cream sauce, etc) And I got to say, for those that live in LA, the budino from Mozza dos not hold up at all in the fridge-it just tastes like salty pudding. Wed Jul 29 21:21:59 -0700 2009 4819164 212582 schrutefarms 1 4915342 Rice dishes can be revamped by adding a bit of liquid and then re-heating. I don't like old cold cereal French fries if just microwaved ... they are okay if you stick them in the oven or in a pan on the stove to re crisp though. Old scrambled eggs get kind of gross if reheated, cause then they become dry and I like moist and tender fresh eggs. Mon Aug 03 23:09:01 -0700 2009 4819164 1081227 DishDelish 1 4916191 Funny reading this thread, I realized that a lot of bad left overs are things I never buy in the first place, so no disgusting leftovers. Left overs from home cooking are always eaten. Tue Aug 04 09:02:01 -0700 2009 4819164 93538 Passadumkeg 2 4916229 Absolutely...and if not in it's original incarnation, then twisted into something new, or thrown in a pot for soup. Tue Aug 04 09:13:29 -0700 2009 4916191 233294 cuccubear 3 4916983 Exactly Cu! On Sunday, I was trying to stretch some oxtail soup and added some left over (home made) baked beans and more beef broth. Tue Aug 04 13:07:42 -0700 2009 4916229 93538 Passadumkeg 1 4916932 Pretty much everything, unfortunately. I have some - er - "issues" with leftovers. My husband or son eat them, though. My husband will try to reheat just about everything, including Nachos, onion rings, McDonald's, Burger King, Arby's - name it, he'll attempt it. My son is a little more picky, but just about anything other than rice (he doesn't eat rice to begin with) he'll try as leftovers. If he doesn't like them, the dog gets dinner. Tue Aug 04 12:50:18 -0700 2009 4819164 29072 Missy2U 2 5088826 Care to elaborate on your "issues"? We fix MANY things in doubles so we can HAVE them again. Thu Oct 08 11:48:10 -0700 2009 4916932 131001 c oliver 1 4917698 Pho. The rice noodles just don't reheat well. Dressed salads don't fare well over time. Tue Aug 04 16:44:15 -0700 2009 4819164 14974 BeaN 1 5083757 Stuffed mushrooms. Seafood. Sushi. Dressed green salad or lettuce in toasted sandwiches. Deep-fried anything. Gee, I'm pickier than I thought! Tue Oct 06 15:08:19 -0700 2009 4819164 1099762 CookieWeasel 1 5086309 Beans, naan, rice, most Chinese food, sushi. Wed Oct 07 13:37:03 -0700 2009 4819164 157528 howaboutthat 2 5102479 in my book, beans are better as leftovers -- esp. black-eyed peas & black beans.... Wed Oct 14 09:46:13 -0700 2009 5086309 105717 alkapal 3 5112530 My daddy told me that if, god forbid, I died before him, he wasn't going to bury me; he was going to have me stuffed with black-eyed peas. Still sounds like a great idea. Sun Oct 18 12:36:40 -0700 2009 5102479 131001 c oliver 1 5090132 Just about anything reheated properly is fine, deep fried foods like french fries and chicken reheat really nicely in the oven (10 minutes on a baking sheet). Things that don't do so well are cold stuff (like dressed salad and sushi). Not much you can do with wilted soggy salad (I usually just add dressing to what I'm eating), but sushi can be recycled as cooked fish (although I rarely have leftover sushi). Generally, I'll eat anything as a leftover that I would have eaten as a freshly made item. Thu Oct 08 21:13:50 -0700 2009 4819164 69044 hsk 1 5092813 Fried restaurant foods...Used to think that there was something about fried restaurant foods that made them unedible the next day (with the exception of crispy fried chicken)...after working in one, I found out it was the nasty grease used to cook it in, which by the way is used to cook everything fried on the menu & reused. Think chicken, fish, fries, and where I worked, donuts & brownie bites all being cooked in the same grease, yuck!!....Oh, and I don't eat leftover cooked eggs, I don't care if it's in a quiche or in fried rice. Fri Oct 09 22:49:39 -0700 2009 4819164 1108638 Cherylptw 1 5096289 Salad (lettuce that has been dressed)...that's pretty much it. I won't eat a piece of toast or a bagel that's toasted as breakfast food- but it can be put in the cuisnart and ground up for breadcrumbs, fries, onion rings, (and other fried foods) and cereal that has gone soggy. YUCK! Sun Oct 11 22:32:35 -0700 2009 4819164 108820 QSheba 1 5114718 Chicken, Turkey, take out food. Mon Oct 19 11:43:49 -0700 2009 4819164 219682 Babyducks 1 5114886 Reheated Chnese food. A chicken sandwich with bits of bone, gristle and skin. On the other hand cha siu. I grind it up in a food processor, and use it in Ma-po tofu. Mon Oct 19 12:38:08 -0700 2009 4819164 54222 ekammin