Eating Down the Fridge

If you are like me you have on more then one occasion come home from work and been bombarded with the queries of "What is for dinner dad? We're hungry!". Your food stores are running low and you don't have the time, energy or money to get groceries. You look in the fridge and find there is an assortment of leftover meats, but not enough of one specific kind to make a meal for the masses. There are a couple hot dogs from lunch, half a steak from Monday, a bratwurst or from Wednesday, maybe even a chicken breast or pork chop, whatever there is it will all become a tasty meal for the whole family.

So lets get started Eatin' Down the Fridge.

Ingredients : (makes 4 servings)

4 cups of chopped leftover meat (chicken, beef , pork, etc)

2 tbls of butter or edible oil of choice

1 cup hot water

2 tps of minced garlic or garlic powder

*1/2 tsp red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper

*1 cup shredded cheese.

*approximately 2 cups of mixed vegetables (fresh or leftover) and or peppers, onions, celery, or mushrooms. If you got it use it.

*optional

Directions:

1. Chop leftover meat in 1 inch cubes or chunks.

2. In a skillet or frying pan on medium heat add butter and garlic and optional pepper.

3. When butter is melted add meat and sear for 1-2 mins.

4. Add water and cover let cook on medium heat for 8-10 min.

5. Add option vegetables to meat 5 mins before done.

6. Drain water and top with cheese if desired. Serve with or on top of rice, pasta, or mac & cheese.

Enjoy and Have fun!

all the above ingredients plus

1 more cup shredded cheese of choice.

salt and pepper

*4 servings of instant rice or pasta

Directions

1.  Chop leftover meat in 1 inch cubes or chunks.

2.  In a bowl melt butter in microwave  and stir in garlic and optional pepper.

3.  In 13"x9"x2" baking dish add meat and optional vegetables.

4.  Add water and drizzle melted butter on top,  dust with salt and pepper.

5.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes and remove from oven. (drain juice if any for optional gravy)

6. Add optional rice or pasta (pre-cooked according to manufactures instruction).

7.  Cover top with cheese and return to oven for 2-3 min or until cheese is melted and bubbling.

8. Let rest for a few minutes and serve.

Maybe you have some leftover mashed potatoes or instant box kind.

Either way save the juice drained from meat and make a tasty gravy for your taters.

Ingredients

2 tbls butter

2 tbls flour

2 cups water or milk

whatever meat juice you have.

salt and pepper.

Directions

1. melt butter in medium sauce pan on low-med heat

2. add flour to pan with melted butter mix well

3. add meat juice and water or milk.

4. increase heat to med-high and bring to boil stirring constantly with a whisk.

5. boil for 1-2 min then reduce heat to med low continue stirring ocassionally until desired thickness (spoon dipped stays coated).

6. salt and pepper to taste.

for thicker gravy add 1 table spoon of flour slowly while whisking continuously, repeat once if needed.