Repurposing Leftovers. Easy as 1 2 3.

Post weight loss surgery it's a given there will be a lot of leftovers... or sadly some waste. I hate wasting food and frankly I don't have the money to not use leftovers. You could just heat them up but that would be... BORING. I much prefer "repurposing" them...

Repurposing: Transforming leftovers into something equally as yummy. The goal is for them to taste and look so completely different you don't realize you are having leftovers.

Mission accomplished. Here are three delicious and very different meals and it all started with an extra piece of chicken...

1. I made a batch of my Unbreaded Chicken Tenders. I just dredge chicken breast tenders in beaten egg then in a combo of almond meal and Parmesan (1/2 cup almond meal to 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese) and seasonings (salt, pepper, sprinkle of Zaatar.) I sauteed them in a small amount of olive oil but for an even lighter version you can bake them. I do 425 (foil lined, non stick sprayed, baking sheet) for 15-20 minutes depending on thickness. They are great served with a homemade Greek Yogurt Dipping Sauce (add herbs or a little BBQ sauce or mustard to plain Greek yogurt to change it up.)

They made a great bento box lunch with some Egg Roll Slaw, Chocolate Microwave Protein Cake, and a great big Strawberry.

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2. The leftover chicken tenders were the perfect protein addition to this Pesto "Zoodles" Zucchini Noodles dinner the next night.

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Shelly's Chicken and Pesto "Zoodles" Zucchini Noodles

1 Yellow Onion, sliced
6-8 Mushrooms, sliced
3-4 small Zucchini, spiralized
2 Tablespoons storebought Pesto Sauce
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
a few twists of Black Pepper
Salt to taste
Parmesan Cheese
Leftover Cooked Chicken, sliced

Saute mushrooms and onions till golden, remove from pan. I used my spiralizer to make zucchini noodles, sauteed those till limp about 5 minutes, drain any liquid.

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Add back onions and mushrooms, pesto sauce, and seasonings. Top with cheese and leftover chicken (or steak or shrimp would be great too!)

Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Low Carb Gastric Bypass Vertical Sleeve RNY WLS VSG Recipes Menus Food

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3. And finally... the leftover Pesto Zucchini Noodles became this Frittata (Italian Omelette) in the morning...

Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Low Carb Gastric Bypass Vertical Sleeve RNY WLS VSG Recipes Menus Food

I warmed about a cup of leftover Pesto "Zoodles" Zucchini Noodles in a saute pan. Add 3-4 beaten eggs. Cook till almost set. Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and toss under the broiler till top is set and lightly golden.

Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Low Carb Gastric Bypass Vertical Sleeve RNY WLS VSG Recipes Menus Food

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Hope you give one (or all three) of these a try. If you do, let me know what you think of them.