Leftovers. We all have them. If you’re like me, “leftovers” as the response to the “what’s for dinner” question evokes a visceral response rooted in long suppressed childhood memories of 3 consecutive days of meatloaf.
But leftovers can also inspire creativity. They can call us to soar above simply putting the same meal in the microwave and eating it again (and again…). To encourage food bloggers around the world to unite, and reclaim leftovers as something not to be feared but embraced, I’m pleased to announce a new foodblogging event, LEFTOVER TUESDSAYS.
How it works: I’ll host the first one on Tuesday, January 23. Assuming we get folks to participate and have fun, I’ll tag someone to host the February event (4th Tuesday again). I’ll set out some basic rules for this first one, and then let the creativity of subsequent hosts help this event evolve.
The basic idea is 1) to have a leftover item on hand as a result of your cooking (or other dining) between Wednesday Jan. 17 and Monday, January 22; 2) make something new with those leftover items and blog about this new creation by Tuesday, Jan. 23. I will post a round-up by the end of the week. We’ll do some voting and announce and award or two.
I can see a number of themes emerging, such as “best creation with a hard to use leftover” and “most likely to make us love leftovers”. Let’s have fun with this!
To Enter: Post your blog by midnight EST on 1/22/07 and send me an email to cookingchat at hotmail.com with the subject “leftover Tuesdays”. Please include the following information:
Your name and location
Your blog name and url
Url for your Leftover Tuesdays entry
Why Tuesdays? You might recall the Seinfeld episode when they debated about whether or not Tuesdays had a “feel”. I have to say my Tuesday cooking often feels uninspired; and I’m inclined to still be recycling leftovers from Sunday. Let’s turn this nondescript nature of Tuesdays into something to celebrate!
Etc. To get warmed up for the first Leftover Tuesday and stimulate your thinking, I’ll be doing a number of Leftover Makeover posts in the coming weeks. So check back soon!
For the record, I don’t know that I was ever served meatloaf 3 days in a row as a child. Please grant me a little creative license to make my point; and don’t tell my mother I was complaining about her meatloaf.
Brilynn
Excellent idea, I’m in!
Christine
Hi David,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. This sounds like it could turn into a very popular event. It will be fun to see how different cooks/chefs approach leftovers. Count me in on this. Your first event happens to fall on my birthday!
Shannon
Hi, thanks for letting me know about leftover tuesday. I will definitely participate if serendipity allows.
Anne
Oh, I’m *so* not a fan of leftovers. In fact, I rarely have any, just because I know I won’t eat them anyway. Looking forward to reading what everyone comes up with though – hopefully I’ll be inspired! 🙂
Mallika
Great idea! I rarely have leftovers because my hubby always eats them for lunch the next day but there have been “meatloaf” style occasions… What can I do with leftover curry? David – this is going to be a bit of a challenge, but I’m in!
cookingchat
not having leftovers to worry about is probably a good sign! but Mallika, perhaps a curried meat dish could turn into a soup? I know what you mean, something with some much flavor probably doesn’t need too much dressing up!
The TriniGourmet
I’m in! 😀
todd
I’m interested in contributing to your Leftover Tuesdays. I have a series on my site called Monday’s Leftovers as well. http://www.plowboysbbq.com
Let me know how I can contribute. Thanks…
Todd
todd
I also write for GetYourGrillOn.net a part of the Well Fed Network.
Vanessa
I’m in…great idea and thanks for hosting.
swee
thanks a great idea!
rachel
This is a great idea. I’ll have to be watching what I make the next few nights with leftovers in mind!
Arfi Binsted
this is wonderful!
Megan
Count me in – this is a great idea!
Fahara
Coolness, I’m in! *shudders at the memory of too many Xmas Turkey leftover meals*
cookingchat
yes, forget about leftover meatloaf, leftover turkey memories are probably still pretty vivid in January!
The Food Traveller
Happy to join in …. just got a left-ver post today!
F.
Ulrike
Done, nothing sensationel, but good
isis
Ehh, I just read your post and indeed did make a left over dish last night. and was to post about it today. can i still participate?
Fahara
Aargh! I missed the posting deadline cos I couldn’t get to my computer 🙁 Ah well, my leftover tuesday meal was yummy anyway!
gremolata
Consider the possibilities, Monday leftover, tuesday leftovers, wednesday leftovers,,,desparate moments in front of the frig…Sometiems I have freshly cooked white beans or black beans….I can make a quick hearty salad with leftover bits of celery,red onion,parmesan cheese or any other cheese you like, salt,pepper, meyer lemons from Christmas Mill Valley Daughter,watercress,odd bits of sausage from the freezer,.you can use canned, I just like the soak overnight, boil tender beans and they are not often in the frig.And yeserday,a saute of browned onion and multicolored, bell peppers, a takeout from whole foods.Goodhot or cold.Even apoached farm fresh egg, adds more body…
gremolata
what really got my interest was leftover shiraz..been open for at least a week.What can I do with it ….picked up some pears and poached them in the deep red wine with cinnamon sticks, sugar,bay leaf…until tender…reduced the cooking licquid to a light syrup,,somelightly whipped hvy cream (creme chantilly)Pretty intense taste, I found, though edible.
Sometiems I decant wine into 6ounce glass bottleswith a narrow top. Keeps better and I can take a small serving to dinner where you can bring your own wine.Container store carrys all kinds of small bottles.Americn food Cherry Jam a good size,no narrrow top, though,cut down on air exposure with the narrow about 1/2 inch tops.
cookingchat
Gremolata, sounds like you are a leftover maven! re: leftover wine, I’ve come to swear by wine presever–you squirt a blanket of this gas onto wine to keep the air off and it really stays pretty fresh for a few days.