Dispensing some very 60’s era, sorority house suitable advice, my older sister used to tell me, “A girl can never be too rich, too thin, or have too much Tupperware.”

While I might get a good chuckle out of the thought now, that this simple prescriptive could cover the complexities of being a modern woman, I can’t disagree totally about the Tupperware part. Without a suitable assortment of containers, there would be many fewer possibilities for mealtime transformations.

Maybe transformation is too strong a word, and yet I’m not so sure.

I love using fresh ingredients when I cook. I’ll use meats freshly wrapped by a white paper capped butcher. I try to pick out vegetables from what looks to be the best in my grocery’s produce section. I’ll even read expiration labels on dry goods or nuts.

But knowing I have leftovers in my fridge thrills me too. Years ago, taking leftovers home from a restaurant or from a family potluck was referred to as taking home a doggie bag. It was as if people should either share their excess with their furry friends or be ashamed to eat leftovers themselves. I was never sure.

Making use of leftovers is about re-purposing and transformation.

Re-purposing leftovers can be a challenge. How do you take disparate things and put them together in a new way?

For me, re-purposing leftovers has often begun with an ecological intent (not wasting) and has turned into a creative mission. It can be a surprise and a delight to see what I’m able to come up with.

I’ve turned a previous evening’s broiled salmon into a salmon and dill omelet or flaky fish cake.   Remnants of a Thanksgiving feast can present special challenges, but I have come up with surprising mains and side dishes from turkey drumsticks and sweet potatoes.

I love leftovers!

I love it when I can open my refrigerator door and find cold pizza or chunks of pot roast, salad remnants, or turkey slices from the day before and I don’t have to fix anything in order to eat. I like to challenge myself creatively to make something new out of what I have on hand.

But there’s something else that makes leftovers a special delight to me…and a great cause for thanks.

Leftovers remind me I have more than enough – and that’s no small thing.