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Turn Leftovers into Lust-overs
Sent Tuesday, June 29, 2010
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Turn Leftovers into Lust-overs Last Tuesday, Caitlin and I were booking on down the highway stuffed into a minivan jam-packed like a clown car with everything from propane tanks to Servatii's buttery knots - everything it takes to make the oft-mentioned Market on Fountain Square happen. Molly was crammed into her own hot wheels full of fixins en route to the marketplace as well. Phone rings. Canceled. Mother Nature was unwilling to cooperate; with sweeping winds she put the kibosh on our lunch date with Downtown Cincinnati. And in an instant, 160 burgers, their buttery buns, and the watermelon meant to sit beside them, were leftovers. Instead of serving up hot chow to the familiar foodies, we found ourselves scrambling to make sure nothing turned into waste. I am proud to report we succeeded. Every last bite made it to someone's mouth, not the trash. And it made me think that you should know how to turn this summer's leftover burgers into simple meals your family will lust over. Some ideas to start: - Chorizo Burgers http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/chorizo_burgers_recipe crumbled, become a layer of Fried Egg Tostadas http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/egg_tostadas_recipe, a topping for Chorizo Eggs http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/chorizo_sausage_egg_with_pico with Uncle Nate's Pico de Gallo http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/uncle_nates_pico_de_gallo, or the best darn taco filling this side of the Mexican border. - Make a double batch of Homemade Ricotta Cheese http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/homemade_ricotta_cheese; plug it into the Ricotta-Stuffed Burger http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/ricotta-stuffed_burger and then roll it into Homemade Gnocchi http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/gnocchi_recipe, in lieu of the mashed potatoes called for, later in the week. Dollop it on top of grilled Lamb Chops http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/lamb_chop_recipe for Sunday brunch. - Throw leftover Caprese Burgers http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/caprese_burger_recipe into your favorite marinara like a meatball, crumble them into Pasta Aglio Olio http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/aglio_olio_recipe, and turn extra Sundried Tomato Mayo http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/tomato_mayo_recipe into a grown-up grilled cheese with a thick slice of fresh mozzarella on crusty bread pressed and toasted. - And, of course, just about any leftover fruit may be turned into something brilliant. Dunk watermelon for Rum-Soaked Watermelon http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/rum_soaked_watermelon, break citrus segments into a Fresh Orange Salad http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/orange_salad_recipe, or grill leftover pineapple with a basting of Mint Pesto http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/dish/mint_pesto_recipe. Blog Bits There's not one bite of the cookingwithcaitlin.com blog http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/blog that's a doctored-up leftover. Fresh, fresh, fresh, and hot off the press, our most recent postings: Summer Fruits http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/entry/summer_fruits Home Recipes: Food and Exercise http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/entry/home_recipes_-_food_and_exercise The Market on Fountain Square: Food http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/entry/the_market_on_fountain_square_food Midwest Culinary Institute: Grgich Hills Wine Dinner http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/entry/midwest_culinary_institute_grgich_hills_wine_dinner 99 Bottles of Beer... http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/entry/99_bottles_of_beer How to Clean Your Grill with Morning Dew and an Onion http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/entry/how_to_clean_your_grill_with_morning_dew_and_an_onion Where You Can Find Us Just generally, at our blog at cincinnati.com ( http://cincinnati.com/blogs/cooking/), and at twitter.com/cookingwcaitlin ( http://www.twitter.com/cookingwcaitlin), but also... June 29th - The Strauss & Troy Market on Fountain Square http://www.myfountainsquare.com/market, 11-2, serving the I Can't Believe It's Not Butter! Burger and Homemade Linguica Sausage Burgers with Peppers and Onions July 4th - What's Hot with Molly, Kelly, and Caitlin on 55KRC (http://www.55krc.com), 3 p.m. July 12th - Foodies' Night In #FNI Twitter event, 4-6 p.m. July 15th - Third Thursday at The McAlpin sponsored by Oriental Wok http://www.orientalwok.com, register now http://www.cookingwithcaitlin.com/third_thurdays/third_thursday_july_2010_presented_by_oriental_wok