7 Ways to Turn Leftovers Into Lunch

For our next trick, we will change this two day old pizza into a delicious lunch!

Leftovers are a pretty common occurrence for most people, and we know they aren't quite the most appetizing meal, so we've found a way to bring some zest to them! Check out "7 Ways to Turn Leftovers Into Lunch"

• Salad – Create a dinner salad that is extra generous and you’ll have the makings for a second meal. Portion off what you need for lunch into a container, top with leftover chicken or steak (if you have it) or add canned beans or tuna for a protein punch. Kid salads may benefit from little add-ons such as croutons, raisins, or crumbled cheese.
• Kebabs — Meat and vegetables kebabs are a terrific starting point for satisfying sandwiches. Pull the fixings off the skewer and tuck into pita pockets along with a side of plain yogurt or salad dressing to drizzle on just before eating.
• Pizza – Hot or cold, from take-out or homemade, pizza never disappoints in a lunch box. If making pizza from scratch, double up your dough so you have plenty of extra to slice and store in your fridge or freezer in a re-sealable bag.
• Grilled, roasted, or sautéed vegetables – Practically any tender cooked vegetable – from red peppers to broccoli raab – is tasty stacked inside a split whole-grain baguette with a smear of goat cheese or cream cheese. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and tuck in some salad greens to finish things off. For kids, you may find more cheese/less veggies is the way to go, especially if this sandwich is a lunch box newcomer.
• Leftover Chicken  — Repurpose leftover chicken into a tasty sandwich by tossing it with your favorite teriyaki or barbecue sauce, warming it up, and stowing it a thermos. Pack a soft whole grain roll to fill just before lunchtime. If you can find slider-sized buns, these might be particularly appealing to the pint-sized set.
• Pasta and grains – Leftover plain pasta, rice, quinoa, or other grains can easily evolve into a lunch box main using this simple formula: for every cup of pasta or grain, add 1/3 to1/2 cup diced raw or cooked vegetables and toss with your favorite vinaigrette. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped nuts, scallions, crumbled feta, or chopped dried fruit, if desired.
• Soups and Stews – Virtually every type of soup and stew works well re-heated and recycled in lunch the next day. Up the interest by serving leftovers with a savory side such as pita chips with tomato soup, diced avocado with tortilla soup, or a spoonful of plain yogurt with a creamy vegetable soup. 

What are your favorite leftovers to add to a lunch box? 

Check out Katie's book & website: 

Our review: Best Lunch Box Ever by Katie Sullivan Morford

On Amazon: Best Lunch Box Ever

Katie's website: Mom's Kitchen Handbook

(Image: Jennifer Martiné)

Original Article Here: http://www.thekitchn.com/7-ways-to-turn-leftovers-into-lunch-193778