Repeated patterns in menu plans - anyone want to share theirs?

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

I just realised how much I love it when I cook something that has leftovers which dictate subsequent meals:

eg. a big roast chicken one night, cold chicken salad the next, chicken stir fry the next, risotto the next.

Or: roast lamb one night, shepherd's pie the next.

Does anyone else have patterns like that they can share?

Always have a roast on a Sunday, and like you a meal using up leftovers.
Usually have each week:
a mince based meal (chilli/spag bol/lasagne/moussaka/shep pie)
A pasta based meal (with ham/tuna/prawns/leftover roast)
A chicken meal, if not had roast chicken on Sunday
A rice or couscous based meal.

I think this will be a useful thread - thanks for starting it!

roast pork makes good sarnies and stir fry too.

Chopster, will definitely adopt your roast pork stir-fry one as we have stir-fry twice a week and I am bored with chicken (though I have introduced dh to tofu and prawn ones).

Lilolil - we are similar though we don't always have a roast; am trying to introduce the habit.

Always do a roast on sunday, then cold on monday and meat left used for dh lunches.

minced based meal (spag bog, shepherds pie or a quick mince stew)

Pasta based meal (meatball, tom & veg ricotta & spinach)

Rice (fried rice, risotto, chicken & veg rice)

If i do roast chicken i freeze the carcass until i have a few to make stock or soup base.

If i have some veg (leek,pepper & courgettes) i make a spainish type ommelette.

Lizziemun, do you mean you do the Spanish omelette with leftover veg? That's a good idea.

kathy, if you cookt he pork on a low heat for a good couple of hours, it goes really soft and succulent, then you can fry it nice and crispy for the stir fry wihtout making it too chewy - very ncie.

Are you looking for 'recycling' ideas?

Bolognese gets recycled to pasta bake topped with cheese
Chilli gets recycled to chimichenga type wraps or spicy pasta bake
Stew/casserole gets recyled into bolognese/chilli or in winter just a noce broth with crusty bread

what a brill thread love the idea of spag bol being recyled. will give that a go definately. thans kathy for starting this thread.

roast chicken turns into chicken pie
bolognese sauce turns into lasagne
but otherwise we just eat the same thing a couple of times during the week
eg chilli with rice one night, then a couple of days later chilli rolled up in tortillas and baked to make enchiladas

or just make lots, freeze, and whip out another week with exactly the same trimmings.

Our freezer is full! And we have nowhere to put a bigger one.

Thanks for these ideas everyone.
Yes I suppose I am talking about recycling ideas basically.

Kathyis6incheshigh

Sorry disapeared to do some housework.

but yes, any leftover veg, eggs and whatever cheese i have.

eat stuff out the freezer

Does anybody have any veggie "recycling" ideas? Eg: we may have veggie chilli with rice one night and then to top a baked potato the next.

Great idea for a thread btw.