Frugal Living
USE LEFTOVER
HOT DOGS Hot dogs are versatile leftovers. They’re easily frozen and reheated later. Cut some in half, roll them in crescent dough and add some cheese for pigs in a blanket. They can be added to macaroni and cheese or chili, too.
The first reader shares a couple of other ideas:
Leftover hot dogs: I had a bunch of leftover hot dogs recently, so I chopped some up and made hot dog sloppy joes (I used my usual recipe for the sloppy joe sauce). I also ground some up and added a diced egg and mayo to make “ham” salad for lunches. -Denise, Illinois POTATO BISCUITS Use a cup of fresh or leftover mashed potatoes in your next batch of biscuits or buns, and they’ll be fluffy and delicious. Even refrigerated for a few days now, my biscuits have not turned into hockey pucks. -- I.C., email
Note from Sara: While the mashed potatoes can simply be added to most any biscuit recipe, here’s a recipe in case you don’t have one: allrecipes.com/recipe/tenderpotato-biscuits.
CROCKPOT MAC AND CHEESE 8 ounces dry elbow macaroni, cooked
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
13-ounce can evaporated milk 1-1/2 cups milk 2 eggs 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 finely chopped onion
Combine all ingredients, except 1 cup of cheese, in a greased slow cooker. Sprinkle remaining cup of cheese over top. Cover. Cook on low 3-4 hours. Don’t remove lid or stir until the mixture has finished cooking. Serves 4. -- Polly, Idaho
7-UP BISCUITS 4 cups Bisquick Baking Mix 1 cup sour cream 6 ounces 7-Up Place baking mix in a mixing bowl, and cut in sour cream until mix is crumbly. Add 7-Up and combine by hand. Don’t over-handle. Roll onto floured surface to about 1/2inch thickness. Drop or cut with biscuit cutter and place on greased baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 15 biscuits. -- Holly, New York
APPLE OATMEAL 3 cups quick oats 1/2 cup dehydrated apple bits
1/2 cup powdered milk 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt Mix all ingredients and store in quart jar until ready to eat. To prepare, mix a heaping 1/2 cup mix with 1/2 cup boiling water. -- Lynn, Wisconsin
COLD RICE, BERRY CEREAL 2 cups cold cooked rice, any type
1 to 2 cups berries or soft fruit (whatever is in season, but don't use citrus, as it could make the cream curdle)
honey or agave syrup, to taste
cilantro, fresh basil or mint half-and-half, to taste Mix and serve. This is filling and satisfying! -- Buffy, Texas