A New Take on Leftovers

Leftovers can be so boring. With just the two of us in the house, leftovers can last awhile. So, I think that it is important to use up the leftovers to save money, make an easy meal, and not waste food. I used to HATE leftovers. However, I made it into a game. What can I do with this leftover turkey, chicken or pork? Here is one idea...

The idea came to me when I was visiting my parents a few years ago and we had chicken pot pie. It was homemade with gooey biscuits on top. We used up some leftovers in the fridge and it was so yummy and comforting.

Later at home, I had A LOT of leftovers from a thanksgiving meal. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and veggie tray. This recipe can be totally changed and still get awesome results so just try it! My husband calls it the biscuit delivery system.







Turkey Pot Pie

Ingredients:
Leftover Cooked Turkey, Diced into small 1/4 " pieces (or chicken or pork)
Mashed Potatoes (1-2 cups)
gravy (< 1 cup)
Cooked green beans
Raw vegetables (diced into bite size pieces)
garlic
1 can cream of mushroom soup
milk
1 can of uncooked biscuits (cut up into small pieces)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Saute' the garlic and onion together until translucent (~3 minutes) over medium heat. Then add the rest of the vegetables (carrots, celery, potatoes, cauliflower, squash etc.) Cook 5-10 minutes. Add meat, leftover mashed potatoes, gravy, and cream of mushroom soup. Stir well. Add milk until it is like a thick chowder. Add salt and pepper. Pour contents into a casserole dish.

Bake in oven (uncovered) at 350 F for 45 minutes until vegetables are close to being done and casserole is thick and bubbly. Add biscuit pieces on top of casserole and bake until biscuits are cooked and slightly browned (approximately 10 minutes).

This recipe can be changed. You don't have to use mashed potatoes, gravy, or raw vegetables. You can use frozen vegetable items if you like. The point of this recipe is to use up leftovers in the fridge and it gets the job done.

Hidden MSG

So recently I have been exploring making my own spice mixes. My last post was about making my own fajita mix. I mentioned that I learned that MSG was hidden in chicken bouillon. After that, I had a friend inform me that she learned that MSG was hidden in Ranch dressing and Easy mac. So, that is two more items out there that I had no idea that contained MSG. This information got me interested in other items that could contain MSG.

First off- MSG is monosodium glutamate- the sodium salt of glutamic acid.
It is used as a cheap flavor enhancer.

After doing some reading, I learned the the FDA will allow MSG that is in other ingredients not have to be listed. In other words, if a company uses chicken bouillon that contains MSG, all they have to mention is that chicken bouillon is in the ingredients.

Also, I learned that MSG could also be labeled as Processed Free Glutamic Acid. That seems like a no brainer but for a quick label reader like myself, I skim the label looking for MSG or monosodium glutamate!

MSG is considered natural and generally safe by the FDA. However, when people are sensitive and allergic to such items, wouldn't it warrant a label? I mean, don't companies tell us on their labels when they process peanut products in their facilities as well? Even when the item doesn't contain peanuts, they are warning us that there might be some in the product.

Also, this website explains that it is unlikely that people are sensitive MSG. I don't believe this after I have seen my husband break out into hives from MSG loaded foods. However, they also mention that MSG has not been banned from some foods like baby foods but it was decided to just take it out.

This is a interesting article about MSG being covered up and it contains a link to a 60 Minutes segment.

Here is a list taken from a website of foods and ingredients that commonly have MSG:


* Food Additives that ALWAYS contain MSG *

Monosodium Glutamate
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Hydrolyzed Protein
Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
Plant Protein Extract
Sodium Caseinate
Calcium Caseinate
Yeast Extract
Textured Protein (Including TVP)
Autolyzed Yeast
Hydrolyzed Oat Flour
Corn Oil

* Food Additives That FREQUENTLY Contain MSG *

Malt Extract
Malt Flavoring
Bouillon
Broth
Stock
Flavoring
Natural Flavors/Flavoring
Natural Beef Or Chicken Flavoring
Seasoning
Spices


Okay, so I will now get off my soapbox and get back to saving money!
So back to my main topic, if you have any great spice mix recipes out there that you love, share them with me!