In this post Im going to show two dinners made from using something leftover, something from the pantry & something from the fridge.
First - BBQ Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Sandwiches.
I had leftover brioche buns and both chicken & bacon in the fridge, so grilled bbq chicken sammies with bacon was the way to go! I wanted to top these sandwiches with a cool, ranch cole slaw but I didn't have any cabbage. Wait...who said I needed cabbage to make a slaw??? By combining fresh, crunchy vegetables, you can still achieve the desired outcome.
What You Will Need: Buns, Chicken Breast, Cooked Bacon, Cheese, Carrots, Celery, Onion, Bell Pepper, BBQ Sauce & Ranch.
Preheat your grill.
Lets start by making the slaw. Using a box grater, grate your carrots.
Add in thinly sliced celery & bell peppers.
Add onion, salt/pepper and mix in the ranch dressing till you have your desired consistency. Set in the fridge to chill.
Salt/pepper your chicken breast and place on your hot grill. Once you flip them, brush with your BBQ sauce.
Add the pieces of bacon.
Turn off the heat, add the slices of cheese & let your buns toast up on the hot grates.
I placed a small amount of bbq sauce on the bottom bun, followed by the chicken, then top with the slaw.
This sandwich packs a ton of flavor but be prepared with a napkin or two because its saucy, messy & oh so good!!!
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For the second dish, I had two leftovers that I needed to use up. I had half of the poor mans beef wellington & a good amount of mashed potatoes.....hmmmm, what to do with leftover meat & potatoes?!?!
Lets bring in some fresh vegetables, stock from the panty & some peas/corn from the freezer to make a quick version of Shepherds Pie!
Now I've made traditional Irish Shepherds Pie before with ground lamb marinated in guinness beer. Which is delicious, by the way, but I have to admit that I am a fan of the "Americanized" and definitely more "family friendly" version of this dish.
What You Will Need: Leftover Beef (use leftover burgers, steak, etc.), Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, Celery, Onion, Garlic, Butter, Flour, Frozen Peas/Corn, Beef Broth & Worcestershire Sauce.
Preheat your oven to 375.
Start by sautéing your mirepoix (carrots, celery, onions) in a little butter. Cook for 5 minutes. Add in the chopped pieces of beef & minced garlic.
Add in several dashes of worcestershire sauce and allow the meat/veggies to cook for another 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle in a couple tablespoons of flour. Stir and allow the raw flour to cook out.
Add in your beef stock, allowing your mixture to come to a boil to check the consistency. Your looking for it to coat the back of a spoon.
The last thing is to mix in a couple handfuls of the peas and corn. Stir and remove from the heat. Place your mixture into an oven safe dish. I was excited to again use my thrift store bargain dishes, but anything you have would work.
Reheat the mashed potatoes just enough so they are pliable. If you have a pipping bag & tip, they work great for this dish. If you don't, using a thick zip lock bag with a corner cut can give you a similar finish.
Pipe on the mashed potatoes, covering as much of the meat mixture as you would like. Place on a baking sheet & bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
Allow these to rest once you pull them out of the oven. They are little taste bud bombs that will burn your mouth if not given the proper time to cool.
I remember the first time I made my husband this dish & now its one of his all time favorites!! Meat, potatoes, vegetables & gravy all in one delicious dish, whats not to love?!? This is also a wonderful recipe to make in the fall. Its hearty, filling & gives you that cozy/comfort feelings when you eat it!
Enjoy & Always Cook With Love!!
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