Turn leftovers into stir fry

#MiddleburyCT #Leftovers #StirFry

Spring cleaning isn’t just for closets and garages – your fridge could use a refresh, too. Instead of letting half-used veggies or leftover meat linger, turn them into something delicious with a stir fry. This quick, easy meal transforms leftovers like roast veggies, steak, pork or chicken into a satisfying dish without wasting a thing.

Think of stir fries as a blank canvas for getting creative with what you have on hand. The formula is simple: Start with a starch like rice or noodles, saute aromatics like onions, add your protein and veggies, then slather everything in a scrumptious sauce. Best of all, you can use whatever leftovers you’ve got – whether remnants of last night’s roast or that last lonesome pork chop. Stir fry turns odds and ends into a delicious meal.

To make your stir fry truly shine, the secret is in the sauce – homemade stir fry sauce, to be exact. Homemade stir fry sauce is a total game-changer. It’s not only cheaper and fresher than store-bought options, but it’s also customizable to your taste. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a sauce that brings flavor and excitement to any meal.

It pairs perfectly with veggies, meat, tofu, shrimp or whatever proteins you have on hand, and it’s a great way to use up those random leftovers. Plus, making it yourself means you control the ingredients, so it’s healthier and budget-friendly. Keep a jar on hand, and you’ll always be ready for a quick, delicious stir-fry!

Flavor Bomb Stir Fry Sauce

Yield: 1 cup sauce; 4 servings
Total Time: 5 minutes

Turn your fridge leftovers into a vibrant, flavor-packed stir-fry in minutes. (www.JasonCoblentz.com)

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 heaping teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely minced
1 heaping teaspoon garlic cloves, grated or finely minced

Whisk all the ingredients together. Adjust the ingredients to your preference. Add to your stir-fry and cook for 3 minutes to thicken. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week.

Leftover Luxe Stir Fry

Yield: 4 servings
Total Time: 20 minutes

3 cups rice, quinoa or noodles (your choice of starch)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 small onion, sliced
1-2 cups leftover protein (chicken, beef, pork, tofu, etc.) or raw protein
4-6 cups mixed vegetables (e.g., broccoli, bell peppers, spinach, bean sprouts)
3 eggs, scrambled (optional)
1 cup stir-fry sauce (recipe included)

If you’re not using leftover starch, cook your rice, quinoa or noodles according to package directions.

Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and stir-fry for 2-4 minutes. If using leftover protein, reheat with the onion and set aside. If using raw protein, cook it through before setting it aside.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the skillet. Start with slower-cooking vegetables (e.g., broccoli, carrots, cabbage) and cook until tender. Add quicker-cooking vegetables (e.g., spinach, bean sprouts) near the end, cooking until just wilted. Scramble eggs in a bowl and add to the skillet. Break them up as they cook.

Combine everything: Add protein back into the pan and heat for 2-3 minutes. Drizzle with the flavorful stir fry sauce, cook for 3 minutes to thicken the sauce and serve over your choice of starch.

With endless possibilities, stir fry will clean out your fridge and create a fresh, flavorful meal in no time.

Lifestyle expert Patti Diamond is the penny-pinching, party-planning, recipe developer and content creator of the website Divas On A Dime – Where Frugal, Meets Fabulous! Visit Patti at www.divasonadime.com and join the conversation on Facebook at DivasOnADimeDotCom. Email Patti at divapatti@divasonadime.com

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