Repurposing: Transforming leftovers into something equally as yummy. The goal is for them to taste & look so completely different you don't realize you are having leftovers.
Here's how I turned 1 restaurant meal into 7...
Friday I wasn't in the mood to cook (really I am always in the mood to cook it's the clean-up I hate) so I used a birthday gift card to Red Lobster. My order was the Build Your Own Meal. I chose Shrimp Scampi and Grilled Shrimp Skewer and Broccoli as the side dish. It comes with a Garden Salad (I ask for no croutons and dressing on the side) It also comes with those Cheddar Bay Biscuits. I used to devour those by the basketful pre-op, in fact, I dare say 1/4 of my pre-op ass could be attributed to my love of those suckers. Those I push aside, they are not an option for me (my choice.) My Mum who has the metabolism of a 14-year-old boy eats them or takes them home. If I'm alone they never come to the table.
I know my capacity pretty well now so I remove and box 1/2 my dinner and all of the broccoli (it's never cooked enough) right away. I ask for a box when I order, they look at you weird but I just say, "I'm not terribly hungry and I know I will need a box so can you just bring it with the food."
I ate my salad, some shrimp scampi and a few grilled shrimp and I was happy as a clam (Meal 1)
This is what came home...
1/2 the shrimp were transformed into lunch for my Mum and I the next day (Meal 2 & 3)
Shelly's Leftover Shrimp & Black Bean Lettuce Tacos6 (or so) Leftover Cooked, Chilled Shrimp, diced
1 (15 oz.) can Black Beans, rinsed & drained
1 Avocado, diced
1/2 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved (just picked from my garden)
2 Tablespoon fresh Cilantro, chopped
juice of 1/2 a Lime
dash of Garlic Powder
Kosher Salt to taste
a few twists of Black Pepper
Mix all ingredients together till well combined.
Spoon into lettuce leaves (iceberg, Boston or butter lettuce works best) serve with a dollop of Shelly's Cilantro Yogurt Dip.They were yummy.
I took the remaining shrimp and turned them into dinner (Meal 4 & 5), they became 2 tortilla pizzas.
Shelly's Leftover Shrimp & Pesto Tortilla Pizza - Mission Carb Balance Whole Wheat Fajita Size Tortilla, Leftover Shrimp, teaspoon of Storebought Pesto Sauce, Green Onion, fresh Mozzarella, fresh Tomato, sprinkle of Parmesan and Italian Seasoning. Spray baking sheet with non-stick spray (or a drop of olive oil.) Bake at 375 for 10 minutes.More Eggface Tortilla Pizzas
Delish.
Today the leftover broccoli turned into my Broccoli Fritters for lunch (Meal 6 & 7) with Shelly's Garlicky Yogurt Dip. Love these...
Shelly's Broccoli Fritters1 cup Leftover Cooked Broccoli* chopped
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
2 Tablespoons Multigrain Pancake Mix
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4 teaspoon Italian Seasonings
a few twists of Black Pepper
Coarsely chop broccoli. *Any leftover vegetable medley would work cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, even green beans. If you have issues with broccoli you can whiz it in a mini food processor so it's finer. I just snipped it with kitchen shears. Add remaining ingredients. Mix till combined.
Using an ice cream scoop or a 1/4 cup measure form into patties. Slightly press down. Place in a non-stick pan that has been sprayed with Pam. Cook on low to medium heat till browned on one side about 5 minutes. Flip, pat down slightly and cook till browned on other side about 5 minutes. Serve with Shelly's Garlicky Yogurt Dip.
There you have it, how 1 post weight loss surgery meal became 7. Before weight loss surgery I would have eaten my entire meal (no leftovers), biscuits (refilled twice, at least), an appetizer, several glasses of lemonade, and gone out for dessert after. Forever thankful for weight loss surgery for helping me change that.
So the next time you are at a restaurant bring home those leftovers and repurpose them.
More ideas for repurposing restaurant leftovers
Lotsa Love for Leftovers 1
Lotsa Love for Leftovers 2
Lotsa Love for Leftovers 3
More Strategies for Eating Out After Weight Loss Surgery
