Using up Produce

Over our marriage, I have gotten better about not wasting as much food.  Sure, I still have to throw stuff out.  I am sure I always will.  But I have significantly reduced it.  And what we do toss, either goes to our compost pile or chickens (some stuff makes it there inevitably--like egg shells or the mystery meat that got lost in the back of the refrigerator). 

But before that spinach goes limp and soggy or those tomatoes get mushy and leaky--give this a try! 

Homemade omelets!  They are the perfect, filling, easy meal that can use up the produce that is on it's way out.  Of course, don't use rotten food, but your leftover bits of what you planned on using for previous meals/salads/etc. that might not get used up otherwise. 

Brett is the omelet master.  So I, of course, allow him to have lots of involvement when we eat them (score!). 



We usually use a little bacon, sausage or ham that is frozen, but you don't have to.  If we do, we cook it up in a skillet and reserve some of the grease for when we make the omelets (not-so-healthy, but oh-so-yummy!). 

Then we chop up whatever produce we have leftover, the meat we prepped, and grate some cheese (we use all kinds).  Of course, these also are great "planned" meals too, as in you can purchase the ingredients with the intention of making omelets. 

 

 

So pretty, right?  Told ya he's the omelet master!

 



Here are ideas for omelet ingredients (this is not a comprehensive list, by any means):

produce:
garlic
onion
broccoli
potatoes (already cooked/baked and cubed)
tomatoes
spinach
bell peppers
olives
mushrooms
avocado (topped after it is cooked)
fresh or dry herbs (cilantro, basil, parsley, etc.)

cheese:
cheddar (we love extra sharp!)
Monterey jack
pepper jack
mozzarella
swiss
feta

We like to top it off with sour cream and salsa or ketchup, if it's available in the fridge. 



While we cook, Landon munches on ingredients (like mozzarella cheese and bell peppers).

What do you do to use up leftover food before it goes bad?

 

My friend, Libbie, uses her leftover food to make nachos which is a great idea, too!