This post is sponsored by Cook Smarts
It’s been a while since I’ve blogged about Cook Smarts, but I’m still loving the service! We started using it full time at the beginning of 2014 and 9 months later we still use it at least 2 of the 4 weeks of the month. Travel and summer unpredictability have meant a few more meals thrown together at the last minute then I’d like. The Cook Smarts weeks are always the most fun and least stressful!
One of the best parts of Cook Smarts for our family is the leftovers. Each recipe makes 4 servings, so between two adults and a toddler, we usually eat 3/4 of the servings at dinner. The rest is transformed into some kind of delicious lunch. My default lunch is a salad with something on top, and it makes my day when I have something a little more gourmet to eat. And leftovers often require very little noontime cooking!
Here are a few of our recent dinners turned into delicious leftovers for lunch.
BALSAMIC CHICKEN KEBABS
This recipe was super easy and served over a tasty orzo salad. We used some juicy summer tomatoes and high quality balsamic vinegar to really amp up the flavor. Oh and peppers instead of onions…cause it’s me!
The next day I stuffed the leftover kebobs and some orzo into a whole wheat pita along with some arugula and Greek yogurt. Made for a perfect lunch!
A few nights later I needed a quick dinner on a rather chilly summer night and opened a box of creamy tomato soup. I filled it up with leftover orzo and chicken and topped it off with some goat feta.
BBQ TOFU SANDWICH
Another night we made these awesome BBQ tofu sandwiches. The tofu was marinated in a homemade BBQ sauce and then grilled. We served them on Honey Whole Wheat rolls with corn on the side.
I had my girlfriends over for lunch the next day and turned the leftover tofu and corn into an awesome salad topper. They were joined with other leftovers like grilled eggplant, avocado, candied pecans and a homemade dressing.
Salads for all!
This may have been the best salad I’ve eaten all summer.
CHICKEN BREASTS AND OLIVE TAPENADE
This recipe is one of my favorites from the very first time I tried Cook Smarts, so I brought it back into rotation. The tapenade is made in advance, so dinner comes together in a flash, and the melted cheese on top of the chicken brings a whole new level of savory.
As leftovers, I sliced the chicken and tucked it – along with another half slice of cheese – into a local corn tortilla. A few minutes under the broiler, and I had one gourmet quesadilla!
Served with salad topped with leftover roasted parsnips and some watermelon on the side.
Having leftovers on hand to morph into delicious lunches has really helped me save time and money this year. I can’t say how nice it’s been to have quicker lunches with a little one who always needs to be served first. Cook Smarts also often gives leftover suggestions (like the kebobs into a pita), so that helps for thinking ahead too!
I know a lot of you have tried Cook Smarts and loved it, but for those of you who have yet to delve into some meal plans, you can get 20% off with the code kerfsept from now till Sunday, September 21.
And if you’re not ready to commit, Jess has just unveiled new free sample meal plans this fall, so there’s no reason not to give ‘em a try.
Thanks to Cook Smarts for sponsoring this post.
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
You’ve highlighted some of my favourite ways to eat foods, for example, I ALWAYS add tofu croutons to my salads instead of croutons (a great option for people with gluten issues) and my kids love them too…I tell them they are “fries!” (http://www.bitesforbabies.com/recipes/tofu-croutons/) Also, I put tapenade on EVERYTHING!!! I usually do black olive tapenade but we love this one too; http://www.bitesforbabies.com/recipes/green-olive-and-pistachio-tapenade/.
I mix tapenade with tuna, lentils and quinoa for a quick meal, put on chicken or fish, use as a spread in sandwiches…it’s the new mayo for me 😉
Tonya says
LOL telling kids that tofu is fries is a cruel, cruel joke! However, the way you prepared them they really do look like french fries. Impressive!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
That BBQ tofu salad looks delicious. As do the balsamic kabobs! Something about grilling with balsamic brings out such great flavor in food! 🙂
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
Good use of leftovers! I like when I can turn leftovers into something new.
Ali @ Peaches and Football says
I’ll head over to check out those sample meal plans. I have been so busy lately that I haven’t had time for a lot of creativity in the kitchen. But hey, isn’t that one of the reasons we all post meals on our blogs – to give each other yummy inspiration?? 🙂
Ashley @ Saving Money in your Twenties says
I laugh at how much I used to hate leftovers as a kid– I LOOOOVE them now! So much easier to reheat delicious leftovers for lunch rather than having to pack a sandwich or something!
jill says
Those look great! Although your “greek yogurt” sure does look an awful lot like “two big hunks of local goat feta” (sorry – long time loyal reader with a really good memory, especially where delicious looking food is concerned :))
xo
KathEats says
Ha you are absolutely right! I’ll try to change it midmorning
Alex @ True Femme says
So I really want to try Cook Smarts now! They have vegetarian options right? I thought they did. I’m in the last semester of my post-bacc and in the midst of applying for a doctorate so cooking is really the last thing I need to worry about. It would be nice to just have a few meals already planned out for me since I’m single and busy 🙂
KathEats says
They do!
Stephany says
Hi Alex, Stephany from Cook Smarts here. Like Kath said, we definitely have a vegetarian option for every meal (I’m vegetarian myself, so it’s a life saver!). We’re actually in the process of revamping our diet-specific options to make them even easier to follow. Hope our meals plans help make your busy schedule a little more manageable – and good luck with your last semester of school!
Kamado Jim says
Those kabobs look fantastic! I’ve made similar ones plenty of times before, but never even thought to serve them over an orzo salad like that. Will definitely be adding that to the repertoire. Thanks Kath!
Jesse says
oh i just love upcycling leftovers, makes me so happy to not waste food! ps yogurt on soup and chili is the best!
http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2014/09/wait-don-grow-up-yet.html
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner says
What a great way to work some new meals into rotation! I’m getting a little tired of my current meal plan. Those all look delicious.
Christina says
Everything looks so good…What is the difference from Cook Smarts and Blue Apron? I wanted to try Blue Apron, but now wondering if I should try Cook Smarts instead.
thanks 🙂
KathEats says
Blue Apron plans your recipes AND sends you the ingredients whereas Cook Smarts is a meal plan and recipe site with a automated grocery list, but you do the shopping.
Christina says
Oh ok, that is great to know. Cook Smarts is more my style because I like to food shop and pick my veggies, fruits and meats. Thanks for the response…can not wait to try Cook Smarts now 🙂
mary @ minutes per mile says
i’m seriously considering cook smarts after reading your posts! since we don’t have kids we’re not as short on time, but we both work full time which can make dinners stressful sometimes. my biggest challenge with groceries, though, is budget. here’s my question — do you think cook smarts reduces your grocery budget? (by either: a) using less meat or expensive ingredients in the recipes and/or b) by simply streamlining your grocery spending so that you don’t buy impulse items/excess items you end up throwing out?)
KathEats says
I think it helps for both reasons. Every now and then there is something expensive (a big salmon or short ribs or something) and you could just sub in the vegetarian meal for that night (or just check “do not cook” and do something else that night). If I didn’t have kids and worked full time I would definitely do this because you probably come home starving from work and don’t want to spend a lot of time cooking! The prep day would be such a help.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
BBQ tofu is one of my favorites! I LOVE it in sandwich form. I am pretty sure BBQ sauce makes everything taste amazing though, right? 😉
Shel@PeachyPalate says
You have a way with leftovers for sure!!! Salads look beautiful! Have you tried candied walnuts? They’re up there on a pedestal with the pecans!
KathEats says
Yes they are on the salad that I love at Citizen Burger. Both are so good!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
Leftovers are my saviors during the work week. If I didn’t make meals on the weekends that lasted through the week. I wouldn’t eat or I would eat junk.
Amanda says
I love the idea of someone else doing the meal planning! I will be in Cville next week for my birthday. Can you recommend a great place for a massage? It will be my gift to myself:)
KathEats says
Brett at ACAC is fabulous! Oasis Day Spa is also very popular
Amanda says
Thank you so much for the recommendation! I had a massage by Catherine and attended a great yoga class. That gym is amazing:)
KathEats says
Oh good!! I have had a massage from her too : )
Laura@SneakersandSpatulas says
Just joined Cook Smart and I can’t wait to start cooking with them! I’m glad you ran this promo, I was thinking about them the other day wishing I had signed up when you offered a promo awhile ago. Just to note-the coupon code above didn’t work in all CAPS like you have it, I had to make them all lowercase to work.
KathEats says
Excited for you and thanks for the coupon tip. I’ll change the post.
Stephany says
Hi Laura, we’re so excited for you to get started with Cook Smarts! Your kitchen cheerleaders are cheering for ya!
Emily says
your leftovers look amazing. Seriously. Please come to my house and show me how to make something outta the nothing in my fridge 😉