Refrigerator Roulette

There are days when a home chef doesn't feel like going out and food shopping. Then there are days when the fridge is full of leftovers. If that's the case, then  get creative with what' in the fridge and freezer. It's surprising what fun dishes can be created by what's in them..

The freezer can always yield up something for lunch or dinner. . There may be frozen veggies or some burgers that wound up there and then forgotten. Home chefs can cook the veggies with melted butter and then toss some Parmesan cheese on them for a different spin.They can also be used in making pot pies with meat left over from any Sunday roast. Use beef stock or even cream of chicken soup for the pies' gravy. That extra can of biscuit dough you thought you'd use for Easter but didn't can be used to make the crust. If you have Pillsbury  Grands Biscuits you can make individual pot pies using a muffin tin, Leftover ham can be sliced thin and used to make filling for a Croque Monsieur. Frozen burgers can be turned into patty melts , thanks to cheese slices and toast. They can also be used for pizza topping and  for adding some oomph to pasta.What about hot dogs? Think cheddar dogs if you have any cheese or better yet open a can of chili for chili dogs. Even restaurant leftovers can be combined with almost anything in the fridge. The white rice you took home Saturday night  from the Chinese restaurant can be added to the soup leftover from last night  to stretch it.

Salads are one of the best ways to use up what's in the fridge. Slice up that leftover roast beef and turkey and add it to those Spring greens and grape tomatoes for a flavorful salad. Sliced chicken can be added to a bowl of Romaine lettuce along with dried cranberries and walnuts  to create a filling but low calorie dinner. Add cut apples and even grapes to  turn it into a take on a Waldorf salad.Turn bacon, hard boiled  eggs and spinach into a tasty salad,Throw in thinly sliced white cap mushrooms for extra protein, The fridge can provide home chefs with the ingredients for homemade dressings too. One of the easiest to make is French dressing, The simplest recipe is just mayo and ketchup mixed with oil and red wine vinegar. Some recipes call for Worcester sauce  along with a sprinkle of paprika for color and sugar for added sweetness. Sub in dark honey for the sugar for a mellower, richer flavor. Add relish and you have Thousand Island dressing. Homemade Russian dressing is another product of fridge roulette It's the same mix of  ingredients as the other two dressings but has the double jolt of horseradish and hot sauce. it can also be used in the traditional Reuben sandwich too.

If your fridge is full or you're too tired to food shop then play refrigerator roulette. The results can be fun and a testament to creativity.Try it not just to use the food but to surprise yourself  ad familywith the results