Well, while I was at work today, I remembered that years ago, when I published a recipe website, I had written a webpage on what to do with leftovers. Here's a cut/paste:
Meat
If the meat is rather tough and full of gristle, or you have the bones to deal with, save them for a stock. If it's going to be awhile until you make a batch, store them in ziplock baggies and freeze.
Leftover roasts in particular work well with these recipes, although excess grilled, baked, and broiled meats will also work.
Casseroles.
Simmered in a weak stock until it shreds, then drained, and mixed with BBQ sauce for "Pulled BBQ Sandwiches"
Simmered in a weak stock with a jalepeño or more to taste, until it shreds, then drained, and used in Mexican dishes, i.e., tacos, enchiladas, tamales, etc.
Sliced, and served as a sandwich.
Chicken and Turkey salad sandwiches.
Check out many of the good recipes you can use leftover meats in on my page for Soups and Stews! Rice
Mixed with a basic custard for a quick rice pudding.
Added to pancake and waffle batter.
Casseroles.
Add to soups and stews.
Chinese Fried Rice.
Eaten cold, with milk and sugar, as a breakfast cereal (One of my grandmothers tells me this is the only way she ever ate rice as a child.). Mashed Potatoes
Potato pancakes.
German Potato Latkes.
Potato Croquettes.
Gnocci.
Mix with some cream, enough to make it less stiff, but not runny, and pipe it for Duchess potatoes, or Topsy-Turvey Shepherd's Pie.
Old Bread
Slice the bread, if needed, and dry it in a 200*F oven for an hour. Run through the food processor to turn into bread crumbs. Cut into cubes, dry in a 200*F oven for an hour, and then turn into croutons.
Bread pudding.
If you have to make a large amount of bacon or sausage, line the plate or pan with old bread. The bread will absorb the grease. Old Desserts/Cakes
Save all your old cakes, cupcakes, sweet pastries, etc. and make a bread pudding out of them.
Save a stale cake, and get rid of any frosting. Run the cake in pieces through your food processor, grinding it into crumbs. Use the resulting cake crumbs as decorations on cakes, or in recipes calling for cake crumbs, like rum balls or a Linzer Torte.
