Not Leftovers - Reincarnation!

Do you save all those packets of ketchup, mustard, soy sauce and other condiments that come with your take out order? I know I do. I often use the ketchup when I just need a spoonful or so if I 'm making baked beans, cocktail sauce or something else requiring "just a bit". I usually don't even keep a bottle of ketchup in the fridge - unless my packets are all gone.

I also keep packets of soy sauce, egg roll sauce, taco sauce, barbecue sauce, honey mustard and just about anything else that I haven't used up with the meal. They come in handy.

Today, I'm trying an experiment. Some time ago we had tacos and there were many packets of red & green, mild & hot taco sauce left over. A couple days ago we had take out chicken and nearly half of it was left. Yesterday I made rice pilaf (think homemade Rice-A-Roni if you're unfamiliar with this dish). Today my lunch is going to be Arroz con Pollo en salsa verde (rice & chicken in green sauce).

I got out my trusty lunch crock reheating machine - read about this little wonder here, here & here - and added the leftover rice pilaf. Chunks of leftover chicken went on top and a couple packets of green taco sauce from the Bell of the Taco, popped on the lid and plugged it in. In a few hours - piping hot chicken & rice in spicy green sauce!

I think I'll write a book & call it The Ketchup Packet Cookbook and include all my recipes that rely on packets of leftover condiments. I'll let you know how it goes.

Quotable quotes; in the category Food For Thought?

"Leftovers in their less visible form are called memories. Stored in the refrigerator of the mind and the cupboard of the heart."  Thomas Fuller