Leftovers #39 ~ Lentil Curry Cottage Pie

The vegetable lentil curry I made, and posted about the other day, using a slow cooker recipe, makes enough for some delicious leftovers and allows you to be creative. Therefore, I decided on this vegetarian version of a cottage pie. Place the leftovers in a large enough oven proof baking dish and sprinkle with shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Trust me cheese and curry works! Make mashed potatoes as you would, and place the mashed potatoes on top spreading gently and evenly, as you possibly can, over the top. Use your fingers, if you have to. Once the mashed potatoes have formed a lovely top layer; add more shredded cheese and pop in a 350ºF preheated oven until bubbly and the cheese has melted nicely, approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Allow to rest for a minute or two and serve.  

Done and time to enjoy this savoury cottage pie. Super easy and a fantastic way you use up those flavourful leftovers.  

Temperatures have cooled and the leaves are beginning to turn yellow. Fall is just around the corner here in E-town. - JD 

Food Photo of the Day ~ Easter Dinner

Not the typical Easter dinner however it was a modest holiday feast of sorts. Turkey is traditionally reserved for Christmas and Thanksgiving however I decided to change things up a bit and cook up an Easter dinner from our claimed grocery points, which was a free turkey. Seasoned turkey and creamy mashed potatoes with lashings of gravy, thick mushy peas and homemade cranberry orange sauce. All with the added bonus of leftovers, plenty of leftovers, to be had and made into other delicious dishes this week. 

Hope everyone had a great weekend, we did! - JD    

Food Photo of the Day ~ Sunday Roast

Rather than our traditional Sunday roast sometimes I strive for something different every now and again. So this past Sunday it was oven baked seasoned chicken with brown mushrooms sautéed with truffle salt, crisp green beans and fluffy buttery mashed potatoes. Need I say more?  The sautéed mushrooms were perfect and it was great to use a wonderful gift from the pantry, the truffle salt.  

Hope everyone had a great weekend! - JD   

Leftovers #26 ~ Mashed Potato Pancakes

This was my first time making potato pancakes with mashed potatoes. Usually I grate raw or semi cooked potatoes. This is a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes and create a quick and delicious side dish. Mix everything together with no rhyme or reason and form the pancakes the best way you can. Sounds like a solid plan to me! 

Mashed Potato Pancakes

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3 cups mashed potatoes, chilled or a room temperature

1 cup shredded cheese

2 medium scallions  (green onions)

1-2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup all purpose flour

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for frying

Line 2 large plates or 1 baking tray with paper towel and set aside.

Place all the ingredients, except the oil, into a large bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a large fry pan over medium heat.

Using a large spoon drop and spread the potato mixture into a patty shape and cook until golden brown on both sides... about 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to the prepared plate or baking tray. Repeat with the remaining potato mixer until all the mixture is gone. 

Serve with salsa, apple sauce, or sour cream.

Notes: The ingredient list is pretty basic and quantities, how much or how little, may be altered. You may also want to add ingredients to give it a bit more kick... like crushed chillies, and peppers.  

Hope everyone had a good weekend. - JD 

Leftovers #25 ~ Herbs

How does one have leftover herbs when, I assume, they are used on a daily basis. In the shops here, herbs are package and sold in bundles or pre washed, pre-cut plastic containers filled with a herb of choice... they are also sold dried in glass or plastic bottles and cellophane pouches. All are readily available and sold all year round.  

If a particular herb is bought for a specific recipe and not all is used then I guess it is alright to classify it as a leftover. Leftover herbs are easy to incorporate into ones cooking or baking. Therefore I do not think you will be surprised as to how I ended up using the remainder of chives; as chives can be added to just about any cooking or baking.  

 First off some were used to make these lovely scones... cheesy chive with a subtle buttery flavour.

And the rest went to make these creamy buttery chive mashed potatoes. 

Hope everyone is having a good week so far. A very delicate chilly snowfall has made a presence this morning. Stay warm! - JD