This is a great idea for when you have a lot of leftovers: 

Set up the BEST BAKED POTATO BAR EVER.

A lot of us (especially kids) love a good Baked Potato Bar… and with leftovers in your fridge, dinner is almost ready.

Pull out leftover taco meat and the steamed veggies. Chop up the remaining rotisserie chicken and warm it up. Got some salsa? Add that, too.

I’ve never tried leftover pie on a baked potato, but, heck, why not? Don’t forget the whipped cream!

Here are a few more suggestions for your potato bar buffet:

• Chopped crispy bacon, feta cheese, steamed broccoli
• Shredded rotisserie chicken, salsa, cilantro, sliced jalapenos
• Taco-seasoned ground beef, Monterrey Jack cheese, chopped tomatoes,
• Canned chili (or homemade, if you’ve got it!), shredded Cheddar cheese, diced onions
• Pepperoni slices, pasta sauce, Mozzarella cheese, shredded basil leaves

So think: Thanksgiving Leftovers = Baked Potato Bar

For more ideas on how to achieve Baked Potato Perfection, click here!

Making Monday’s evening meal meatless is a great way to feel a little less guilty for any weekend over-indulgence.

Using what you’ve already got in the fridge makes it a double bonus… it helps you get rid of those leftovers!

I came up with this recipe for Baked Quinoa and Carrot Fritters using leftover quinoa and sautéed carrots. I’ve also made something similar with leftover brown rice. It makes a great vegetarian dinner or a side dish.

And even thought I’ve called these “fritters,” technically they’re not because they’re baked not fried.

Click here to see the rest of my post and get the recipe!

Whenever I make steak, I always make extra so that with the leftovers I can prepare my favorite summer dish: Thai Beef Salad.

The beauty of this salad is that you don’t have to include all of the ingredients. If you don’t have fish sauce, use soy sauce. Don’t like jalapeños… leave them out. You can add what you do have… like red or green peppers, cooked zucchini, broccoli or green beans. This is pretty much a “clean the fridge” type of salad with a whole lot of flavor.

       Print this recipe.    

Would you eat food that has expired?

There’s a new grocery store/restaurant/teaching kitchen opening next year near Boston will offer only food that is already past its sell-by date.

Is this a bold attempt to make healthy food more affordable and reduce food waste? Or merely another way to make a buck off of those who have few options for shopping elsewhere?

Doug Rauch, the former president of Trader Joe’s, is behind “The Daily Table.” He wants to take good quality food that grocers have to throw away and cook and sell it as low-cost prepared food.

Rauch says Americans trash up to 40-percent of their food every year because they don’t understand expiration dates. Expiration date refers to the last date a food should be eaten or served according to the manufacturer or producer.

The hybrid store will sell prepared food, like soups and casseroles, as well as packaged chopped vegetables for prices that compete with fast food, not brand-driven food. There will also be a kitchen area where people can learn how to cook with the healthy ingredients they purchase.

So… if you knew the food was safe to eat, but past the “best-by-date,” would you buy it?

I would if it meant giving my children fruits and vegetables and other healthy food I couldn’t otherwise afford.

Hunger is a very real issue in this country. Kudos to Mr. Rauch for trying to tackle this very large social challenge.