My Husband's Second Wife

I've told my husband that if he wants to have a second wife, he can marry Rachel Ray. She's financially independent and very busy, so she'll hardly be around and won't drain scarce resources. Besides, she makes tasty food and has made popular what all cheap mamas know: The best stuff is at the bottom of the jar. Coming up with a use for the stuff you can't get out of your pb jar just feels so rewarding. I've been doing it for years. Rachel Ray has some good ones on her website, but here are a few of mine.

Leftover Good Mustard Vinaigrette
Fill the jar 1/4 of the way up with vinegar (whatever kind you want) and the rest of the way up with olive oil.
Chop up a shallot and add it if you have one.
Throw in a little salt and pepper.
Shake.

Leftover Raspberry Jam Vinaigrette
See above, but add about a tsp of Dijon as well.

Peanut Butter/Honey Topping
You can either add some peanut butter to an almost empty jar of honey or some honey to an almost empty jar of peanut butter. Depending on what you do, the flavor and consistency may be more peanut butter or more honey.
Microwave for about 30 seconds.
Mix.
Pour onto waffles or over ice cream or just eat it straight because it’s that good.

And speaking of peanuts, ever have only peanuts left at the end of a bag of mixed nuts?
Thai Peanut Noodles
Boil whatever noodles you have on hand.
Quickly sauté with sesame oil, a tbs or so of peanut butter, a little soy sauce, some red paper flakes.
Add in some sautéed diced carrots, some sliced water chestnuts if you have them, a handful of cilantro if you have it, some cut up leftover chicken and/or shrimp.
Crush up the peanuts. Mix in half. Use the other half to top the noodles.

Bottom of the Coffee Carafe…
I always make a little too much coffee. I usually have a cup or two at the bottom of the carafe. Here are a few things to do…

Make “Thai Coffee.” Add some cardamom, a little sweetened condensed milk and some cream. Pour over ice.

Make homemade Irish Cream. Sorry, this recipe remains top secret.

Make coffee syrup. Add an equal amount of sugar to the coffee. Boil. Then simmer until it reaches a syrup consistency. Pour over ice cream or add to vodka for a “coffee-tini.”

Bottom of the box of chocolates…
I’m just not crazy about caramels. I like the flavor, but they’re too sticky.
Here are a few things to do with your least favorite, but still tasty chocolates…
- Melt into steamed milk for hot chocolate.
- Make chocolate filled pastries by putting them into crescent roll dough or puff pastry. Cut the dough or pastry into a triangle or square. Put the chocolate into the middle. Fold the remaining dough or pastry over the chocolate. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake according to package directions.
- Cut up an add to cookie dough or banana bread.
- Give them to a “shut-in.” Just kidding.