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Premeditated Leftovers™

Prep-Ahead Meals, Cooking Tips, and Frugal Living


Greens, Soup, and Comfort Food from the Hearth and Soul Hop

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Welcome to another Hearth and Soul Hop, the food carnival for and about food that not only nourishes our bodies, but our souls! My highlights from visiting last week’s contributors to the Hearth and Soul Hop: GREENS! Green Casserole Sauteed Kale with Carmelized Onion Recipes for Soup Supper: Greens Soup White Borscht Mushroom, Leek, OnionRead More

Menu Plan – Week of March 4

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This week is going to be a little busier than usual, so I am planning quick and easy dinners. Scaling back my goals and cooking fast and easy meals during busy times makes it more likely that I will actually follow through with my plans. Monday – Barbecued Chicken made in a Pressure Cooker, Baked Beans,Read More

Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

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Tonight I shared my Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe at $5 Dinners. They are fast, easy, and really tasty. If your kids are as crazy about all things pizza as my kids are, they may also enjoy my Pizza Quesadillas. Diclosure: I am a contributing writer at $5 Dinners.

Menu Plan Week of 2/25

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My husband works for the DoD, so I will be cooking from the stockpile until I know whether he will be furloughed and will definitely continue cooking from the stock pile if  he is furloughed! I have most of the ingredients for the recipes below in my pantry, fridge, and freezer. I am planning onRead More

Nut Recipes from the Hearth and Soul Hop

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Welcome to another Hearth and Soul Hop, the food carnival for and about food that not only nourishes our bodies, but our souls! My highlights from visiting last week’s contributors to the Hearth and Soul Hop:   Chocolate Turtles from Elsa Cooks Chocolate Hazelnut Milk from Gluten-Free, SCD, and Veggie Chocolate Almond Milk from MyRead More

Menu Plan Week of 2/18

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Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week. It is made almost entirely from items I have on hand. The only things I need to pick up to make these dishes are mangoes, strawberries, and red potatoes. I might see if I can work in a batch grilling session when we are grilling onRead More

Blackberry Bark

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I love making homemade candies for my family. Even when life is hectic I can find time to make bark candy because it comes together so fast, though it does require a couple hours to chill. Placing the candy in cookie cutters to harden adds a little magic to an otherwise simple treat, making it lookRead More

Homemade Valentine’s Day Treats

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These homemade Valentine’s Day treats are perfect for kids to give out as valentines or to serve at Valentine’s Day parties. These Valentine’s Day treats include homemade candies, desserts, notecards, and candied rim glasses. Several of these treats could be turned into a cute Valentine for kids using a sandwich bag and a printable ValentineRead More

How to Cook a Standing Rib Roast (Prime Rib)

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Why would someone who focuses on frugality share a recipe for a standing rib roast (prime rib) when it is such an expensive cut of meat? Because you can make a whole roast for the cost of two people eating prime rib at a restaurant! Sometimes you want to celebrate an event or holiday withRead More

Recipes to Use Up Stale Bread

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Does somebody in your house object to eating bread that is a little dry? I have two children who do not like bread if it is even the slightest bit dry. They recommend that I use it to feed the birds, but instead of following their advice I use the leftover bread to make croutons,Read More

Cinnamon Almond & Oat Scones

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I have had the privilege of living in many states across America.  Every time we move to a new location, I take pleasure in learning about the history of the area and trying the foods of that region. Which is why I developed a taste for sun tea with hummus on rice cakes  in California, sweet teaRead More

Salmon with Pomegranate Tea Glaze

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When I share a fish recipe, I often mention that fish has been an acquired taste for me.  As you read through my fish recipes you will see the progression from me stating that I don’t like fish, to “I’m not that fond of fish” to “I have come to love mild fish” to “I haveRead More

How to Make Almond Meal (Almond flour)

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It is easy to make almond flour! Use these directions for how to make almond meal, also known as almond flour to make it in your blender or food processor. I like using almond meal in recipes in place of flour. It is healthy and naturally gluten-free, but it can be quite expensive. I startedRead More

Delicious Ways to Use Up Leftover Coffee

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I am sitting here drinking day old coffee and enjoying it immensely!  One of my favorite ways to use leftover coffee is to make iced-coffees. Iced Coffee Recipes: Iced Mocha Frappuccino (Elsa includes directions for Chocolate syrup) Caramel Frappe (Jenni says this tastes like McDonald’s version. She also makes a Mocha Frappe.) Iced Coffee  (Jenny also includesRead More

Seasonal Recipes from the Hearth and Soul Hop

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Welcome to another Hearth and Soul Hop, the food carnival for and about food that not only nourishes our bodies, but our souls!  You can find me sharing links to entries on my Pinterest Boards. This week I am featuring recipes that use in season fruits and vegetables in interesting ways: Winter Salad with CranberryRead More

Recipes to Use Up Leftover Barbecue Chicken

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I like making a huge batch of Barbecue Chicken. The first night we simply enjoy it as is. Then I shred the leftover barbecue chicken and use it to create “encore meals”. Now I am perfectly happy to mix up leftover barbecue chicken in a bowl with baked beans and sweet corn, but my familyRead More

Chocolate Recipes from the Gallery of Favorites

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Thanks to everyone who linked up last week!  There were many interesting and inspiring posts! This week we are featuring the delicious chocolate recipes submitted last week. I know! Last week, we started off the new year with healthy recipes and this week, we are featuring resolution ruining chocolate recipes. In my defense, I resolvedRead More

Welcome. I'm Alea!

On Premeditated Leftovers I share simple recipes made with whole foods, practical shopping tips, time saving techniques, and meal planning strategies. I also share tips for minimizing food waste, so more of the food that is purchased ends up on the table.

While volunteering as a budget counselor, I realized that food is the element of most people’s budgets where they have the greatest control. I set out to develop low-cost recipes from scratch to prove it’s possible to create delicious meals on a limited budget. Eating well while spending less is about more than just creating recipes using inexpensive ingredients; it’s about creatively combining ingredients so you don’t feel deprived and are inspired to stick to your budget.