Turnovers, Calzones, or Empanadas

What do you do with that last 1/2 cup of food from last night's dinner that isn't enough to use for lunch the next day? Throw it in the trash? Stash it in the back of the fridge till it goes bad? Add it to that huge pot of "Clean Out the Fridge Soup" every week?

Here's a solution I like better. It's ultra-frugal, because not only does it rescue those leftovers, but it replaces a purchased frozen "pocket" type entree or lunch sandwich if you like! If the leftover is something that 1) tastes good with bread and 2) isn't soupy and 3) stands up to baking, then you can use it for these!

Every culture seems to make these - where you're from determines what fillings you like, and what you call them, whether Turnovers, Calzones or Empanadas.

In addition to the filling, you may want to serve a dipping sauce - Spaghetti Sauce for an Italian themed filling, for instance, or Salsa for a Mexican themed filling.

If you'd like, you can make sweet versions of these, too, by using prepared or homemade pie filling, and topping with sugar or cinnamon-sugar.

Here are a couple that I made recently:

Black Bean Empanada with Tomato-Eggplant Calzone
The Black Bean ones we dipped in Salsa!

I rolled out a plum sized piece of dough (purchased, or homemade)
, to a circle of about 6"
and put a couple of spoonsful of filling on top.
(not too much, they overflow easily!)
The day I made these, I used leftover Eggplant Stew
and leftover Simple Black Beans.

Then, I folded the dough in half over the filling and pushed down the
edges with my fingers (if needed, a little water may be put between to seal,
but it's usually not necessary)

Cut the top a couple of times with a knife- this allows steam to escape while baking.
 Brush with water and sprinkle with a topping like Sesame Seeds. Kosher Salt, or an Herb Blend if you like.
Bake at 425degrees Fahrenheit, for about 25 to 30 minutes, till golden brown.


Tip for Dining with Omnivores: Depending on your filling, you can also add some shredded Cheddar or sliced Asiago or other cheese, or bits of meat to the Omnivore's portion. 

This is being shared on Frugal Tip Tuesday and Penny Pinching Party and Simple Living Wednesdays and Lil Suburban Homestead, Thrive at Home, Simple Lives Thursday


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