Patriotic Leftovers (Happy FIFTH of July!)

A yummy little sparkler of foodie brilliance shines upon the morning: clever Caitlin-dipped solutions for Fourth-of-July leftovers. Take inventory of the odds and ends that were left behind and turn them into meals for the rest of the week…

There’s a certain kind of let-down unique to the fifth of July. After days of celebrating the birth of our country, it starts with the shrill pierce of the workday alarm clock, and it hits like a hangover. The reality that bathing suits are not the appropriate suits for 9-5, and that summer is halfway through, jolts us like a firecracker to the face. It seems like we just finished cleaning up from the red-white-and-blue weekend, and now it’s time to wake up and stoke the economy…

And then, a yummy little sparkler of foodie brilliance shines upon the morning: clever Caitlin-dipped solutions for Fourth-of-July leftovers. Take inventory of the odds and ends that were left behind and turn them into meals for the rest of the week. And shine, baby, shine.

Watermelon: Top it with creamy Ricotta (that you can make yourself), fresh jalapeno, and some lemon zest. Or, rock the world of every hungry foodie around you with Pickled Watermelon (pictured above).

Corn: Cut it off the cob for Homemade Succotash next to dinner’s grilled chicken, or mix it fresh or creamed into to-die-for Sweet Corn Cakes perfect for an appetizer, snack, and even breakfast.

Baked Beans: Substitute them for the refried beans called for in a Fried Egg Tostada, or spoon them on top aforementioned Sweet Corn Cakes with a smear of Avocado Cream Cheese.

Deviled Eggs: Cook and crumble any burgers that never made it to the grill and serve them over the eggs with salsa like this Chorizo with Eggs recipe. Decorate ground beef like a Chowder Burger and ground pork like a Sweet Italian Sausage Burger, or either of them simply with salt and pepper.