Last week, we went to the library for the Day of the Dead story time.  This one kid proudly announced that he was “a little sick” after my son had been chewing greedily on the same chair the kid had just infected.  Sure enough, a few days later, we were the living dead.

Throughout the week, I cooked easy meals that mainly required just dumping and heating.  Usually I try to cook just enough for my daughter and me, making sure to have some left over for my husband when gets home from work. This week though, my husband wasn’t trusting my hygiene and politely passed.  So, I decided to create a challenge with my leftovers.  If anything, it’s good practice for after Thanksgiving.

I mulled over my ingredients and decided to make a frittata with the spaghetti.  In other words, I added eggs to it and fried it up.

My daughter: “What are you making?”

Me: “A frittata.”

My daughter: “I know what that is.  It was on my show.”

Me: “What did they do with it?” (Maybe I could get some ideas)

My daughter: “They made it.”

Me: “What did it look like?”

My daughter: “A taco.”

I probably should have added another egg or, at least, mixed it up better.  It was a little hard to flip, but it stayed together okay.

While the frittata was frying, I thought I could make a mini pot pie with the bread, beans, and chicken.  First, I soaked the bread in milk to soften it, so it would shape better when I put it into the muffin pan. I might have used too much milk, since my daughter pointed out that she was making “puddles” as she squished the bread into the pan.

I had my daughter mix the beans with the chicken and rice and put it into the bread “crust.” I also threw some bread on top for good measure. Then, we put it into the oven at—you guessed it— 350°.  It took about 30 minutes for it to not be so mushy.

We ate the frittata first because it was ready first.  I cut it like a pizza because I thought it would be more appealing to my daughter.  She enjoyed it.  She said, “I like the cheese and the noodles altogether.”  She ate two “slices.”

Now, to explain my mini pot pies.  They didn’t come out as such.  The best way I could describe it is if you have ever had cornbread dressing.  My mom makes it every year for Thanksgiving.  My daughter liked it, and it was pretty flavorful, so it worked out in the end.