Leftovers Don't Have to be Leftovers*-

This time of year leftovers are almost a certainty in most households. In true Cheapskates style using them to create new and delicious meals not only saves you money, but stops waste.

But what to do with the leftover baked vegetables? Or the half bowl of coleslaw in the fridge? How can you turn a little leftover chicken or turkey into something new?

Leftover baked vegetables and chicken or turkey can be diced and combined with 1 cup of cooked peas and 2 hardboiled eggs to make a chicken and potato salad. Use a whole egg mayonnaise to bind it all together (or your favourite mayo).

Turn leftover coleslaw into a side dish for the Boxing Day barbecue. Rinse the dressing from the coleslaw and drain it well, until it's almost dry (I put it in the salad spinner). Heat a tablespoon of oil in a heavy based fry pan and sauté one diced onion and 125g diced bacon until crisp. Add the coleslaw and toss through. Cook for about 10 minutes until the cabbage has softened and the liquid has evaporated. Season well with salt and pepper.

Leftover seafood becomes a beautiful seafood mornay with a little creativity. Melt some butter (about 90g) in a saucepan and stir in 4 tablespoons of plain flour. Cook for one minute (this takes away the "floury" taste). Using a whisk gradually stir in 3 cups of milk. Whisk constantly until the mixture has thickened. Stir in 1 cup grated cheese. Add your diced seafood (about 500g is a good amount) and some frozen peas and corn kernels. You can serve it as is over steamed rice or pour it into a casserole dish, sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs or crushed Weetbix, dot with butter and bake for 20 minutes in a moderate oven.

Leftovers don't have to be leftovers.