Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Turn your leftovers into an Amazing Bistro Salad!





How much have you paid for a salad at a cafe or bistro? Not your boring side salad but a gourmet salad with all the best ingredients? Maybe some chicken, artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, sundried tomatoes, fresh mozzarella? Maybe toasted walnuts and feta, grapes and heirloom tomatoes? You can pay anywhere between $8 and $15 for a loaded salad like that. If you make it out of your leftovers it can cost you nothing at all. Use your imagination and look through your fridge and pantry and see what you can come up with.

I had leftover chicken cutlets that I sliced, some boiled cellantani/cavatappi pasta (that didn't have any sauce on it), farmer's market tomatoes, kalamata olives, fresh mozzarella, red onion, artichoke hearts with stems (from trader joe's) and a great salad mix. This was a fabulous salad and I can think of so many ways to mix it up. Items that I already have on hand, roasted peppers, salami or ham slices, chick peas or kidney beans, cheddar cheese. I can go on and on! Your options are really endless.

Next time you think about throwing away your leftovers try to put them together in a way that will make a new and exciting salad!


8 comments:

Danielle said...

Great salad!! and great tip! (coming from me...the anti-salad person, you know it took a lot LMAO)

Proud Italian Cook said...

Now That's a salad!!

Dajana said...

I love these salads. They are not only good way to save the leftovers you have at home, but certainly taste better than the stuff you buy ready prepared

Culinary Alchemist said...

mmmmmmm now THAT is a Salad!!!

Bob said...

Nice. I wouldn't have thought to mix pasta and greens like that, but I bet it's awesome.

Patti T. said...

Hubby and I love doing this. My husband just has to have meat of some type in his salad, so it is a great way to use leftovers.

Spryte said...

Yum!! That's one of my favorite things to do with leftovers!

Giovanna said...

I love it, so yummy looking! Great for a night that you don't have the energy to cook a big meal : )