Throw it on a Salad

I always have leftovers in the house. I blame this largely on my Mom, since she taught me how to cook in epic proportions. It was hard living on my own, because my freezer was constantly packed with 18 servings of gumbo or chicken noodle soup. Once Jesse came along, that problem became less of an issue, but his travel this week has brought up this single gal dilemma again. What to do with an entire pound of macaroni & cheese?

Long before I even dreamed of throwing an egg on it, my solution to leftovers was simple: throw it on a salad. This worked well when I was working full time, because it was a simple and healthy meal that I could make in minutes before leaving for the office. Leftover Pad Thai or Cashew Chicken? Great! Red beans and rice are surprisingly good over tender greens, as is vegetarian chili that has been slightly drained.

My stomach started to growl as I was finishing up my class reading yesterday, so I opened the refrigerator and peered inside. I don't think I've put leftovers over lettuce for over a year, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. It was as delicious as I remember. I simply tossed a giant bowl of baby lettuce with a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt & fresh pepper and then mixed in a small serving of the mac & cheese. I still have quite a bit of pasta left in the fridge, but that means two or three more tasty lunches for me! Maybe tomorrow I'll be more adventurous and add some cranberries and almonds. The possibilities are endless!