From Linda Larsen,
Your Guide to Busy Cooks.
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Leftovers have a bad reputation. Most people remember dry meatloaf, reheated again and again, or an overcooked casserole that just isn't appealing any more. These recipes are different!

In each of the recipe sets below, you cook one meal, saving some of the food for another recipe that you can make in the next few days. And don't worry - the original, or starter recipe is very easy too! The time savings are really incredible, and it just gives you a good feeling knowing that half your work for tonight's dinner is already done.

Make sure that you plan carefully for these meals. If the first recipe makes four servings and there are four people in your family, you'll need to increase the original recipe so you'll have enough food leftover for the second day. For instance, in the Peach Glazed Ham Steak Recipe, purchase, prepare, and grill two ham steaks so you'll have leftovers for the salad.

Feel free to substitute your family's favorite ingredients in the following recipes. And make sure you follow strict food safety rules, refrigerating the leftovers promptly in shallow containers, covering them well so they don't dry out in the fridge, and using them within 2-3 days. Enjoy these recipes, and if you have a favorite leftover recipe, remember to post it on the Busy Cooks Forum.

Salmon Steaks

• First Meal: Grilled Salmon
• Second Meal: Pesto Salmon Fettuccine

Roast Chicken

• First Meal: Myron's Crockpot Roast Chicken
• Second Meal: Chicken Potato Pizza

Chicken Risotto

• First Meal: Chicken Risotto
• Second Meal: Risotto Cakes with Tomato Sauce

Pork Loin

• First Meal: Regine's Roast Pork
• Second Meal: Crunchy Pork Amandine

Turkey Breast

• First Meal: Crockpot Turkey Breast Dijon
• Second Meal: Baked Turkey Sandwiches

Steak

• First Meal: Marinated Steak
• Second Meal: Tarragon Steak Salad

Clams

• First Meal: Clam Linguine
• Second Meal: Pasta and Clam Chowder

Ham Steak

• First Meal: Peach Glazed Ham Steak
• Second Meal: Ham Tortellini Caesar Salad