What popular dishes do you know of that originated as leftovers?

Question

I've heard that Chinese fried rice was invented from leftovers. I know a lot of others came about this way, I just can't recall them. Do you know of any other dishes that started out as leftovers?

Answer 1

Roast beef or corned beef hash.
Meatloaf sandwiches.
Turkey Sandwiches.
Farmer's Breakfast-use diced leftover meat and potatoes from dinner the night before, saute with butter and onions, scramble with eggs and cheese. Referred to as a "skillet" in breakfast restaurants and pancake houses.
Chicken Salad
Ham and potato casserole.
Italian beef-use leftover roast beef, add onions, garlic, tomatoes, oregano and cook slowly until the meat falls apart.

Answer 2

Sometimes I'll make lentils and rice, and then use the rice to make patties the next day. That might be a leftover dish.

Answer 3

Potato pancakes made from leftover mashed potatoes. Also lots of leftover meats can be used in omelette's. And you can make many dishes from leftover ham. Scalloped potatoes, mac & cheese with diced ham. Ham sandwiches, Quiche, and of course main dish salads.

Answer 4

jalfrezi (India; invented as way to use leftovers)

chilaquiles (Mexico)

chop suey (said to have been invented by Chinese cooks in America in something like the 19th century)

Probably any recipe that uses day-old bread (Tuscan bread salad; bread pudding; Mexican capirotada; French onion soup; etc. etc.)

Virtually any soup stock uses what would originally have been leftovers (the bones from meat, etc.)

Almost any casserole (think of all the turkey casseroles made the day after Thanksgiving)

Answer 5

Don't forget cheese fondue. It was created to use up old cheese, and the leftover bread and white wine from yesterdays dinner.

Answer 6

Beef stew, soups and even some types of casseroles.

Answer 7

Cold pizza for breakfast?

Answer 8

Stuffing maybe?