Leftover cutlets: A tasty strategy against rising food costs

Is inflation wreaking havoc on your wallet? That's precisely how I feel during every grocery shopping trip. Fortunately, I've discovered a satisfying way to fight back. The best defence is a good offence—specifically, a strategy involving leftover cutlets!

In recent years, rising food prices have considerably strained the savings of many Canadians. Though we are currently seeing a slowdown in this trend, every grocery trip is a stark reminder that the days of low prices are behind us. So, what can we do? We need to adapt to this new economic reality.

One of my strategies for coping with this challenging situation is leftover cutlets. Made from leftover rice from a previous meal, these cutlets are by no means bland. They help save money and curb the tendency to waste food. Concerned about throwing away vegetables? With this recipe, that won't happen anymore.

The recipe is quite straightforward. It's important to note that leftover cutlets aren't confined to the ingredients I've listed below. In addition to rice, onions, and carrots, you can also incorporate stale rolls, leftover potatoes, or even deli meats. Your imagination is the only limit!

Ingredients:

• Cooked rice
• A few carrots
• 1 onion
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 egg
• Parsley
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• Flour for breading
• Vegetable oil for frying

Method of preparation:

1. Transfer the rice from yesterday's meal into a bowl. If it's a bit dry, add a splash of water and warm it in the microwave beforehand.
2. Peel and grate the carrots. You can also use previously cooked vegetables, like those from a broth. In that case, mash them with a fork and add them to the rice.
3. Add the peeled, finely chopped, and sautéed onions in butter.
4. Include chopped parsley and garlic, pressed through a garlic press, in the mixture.
5. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and finally, add the egg. Mix everything thoroughly.
6. Shape the mixture into cutlets. Coat them with flour (alternatively, breadcrumbs can be used) and fry on each side in hot oil until golden brown. Done!