Cheesy Veggie Soup

1 box Green Giant frozen Broccoli or Broccoli and Cauliflower or Broccoli, Cauliflower and Carrots – all in cheese sauce, thawed overnight in fridge or briefly in the microwave
4 ounces (1/2 cup) chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon Spike or seasoning of choice
1 small bay leaf

Mix ingredients in a small microwave safe container. Stash in the fridge overnight, if necessary. Nuke until hot. Remove bay leaf before eating.

Spicy Tuna Salad

1 can tuna, drained
a couple spoonfuls of your favorite chunky salsa
mayo, optional
chopped celery, optional

Mix tuna with salsa. I know it sounds bizarre, but it is wonderful. Stir in just a bit of mayo to make it creamy. Add celery, if you like. I like to put it in a little container and then take something to dip it with. I like Wheat Thins, tortilla chips, pita chips or raw veggies.

Leftover Tips

If you only have a little bit of Chinese take out left – something like stir fried veggies or chicken and broccoli – add it to a package (or half package) of ramen to make an easy soup for lunch. You might decrease the amount of seasoning packet depending on how the Chinese food is seasoned.

Make Mexican leftovers into a wrap. Spread a tortilla with refried beans. Top with chopped chicken or steak or taco meat. Add rice, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, salsa and sour cream, as desired. Roll up like a burrito. If you want to reheat it, keep your veggies and sauces in a small container instead.

Turn leftover chicken strips or nuggets into a wrap. Cut the chicken up, if desired. Spread a tortilla with refried beans, cream cheese or hummus. Top with chicken. Add cheese, veggies, rice, condiments or anything else you have hanging around. Roll up and enjoy.
This also works with steaks, veggie burgers, sauteed portabellos, burger patties, fish, shrimp, etc.

To make an easy breakfast sandwich, toast an english muffin, bread, bagel or briefly microwave a croissant. Place one or two eggs in a small bowl (approximately the circumference of your bread product). Scramble or just stir lightly. Nuke for 1 – 3 minutes, depending on your microwave, checking often. When eggs are cooked, top with a slice of cheese of choice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, if desired. You can add a quick cooking meat (like precooked bacon) or vegetarian meat product if you choose.

I always take leftovers home from restaurants. Even if my husband thinks I’m being silly and cheap. I can make a nacho meal from the cheese sauce left over from our fries by adding salsa and sour cream. I can slice that 1/4 of a chicken breast and top a salad with it. Sauteed vegetables can be combined with broth and noodles or rice for a satisfying soup.

If you view your leftovers as precooked ingredients, you have endless lunch possibilities.