[dagw]

the time required to cooking fresh food every day, assuming you cook most meals, seems staggering.

Sure, but it's time I enjoy spending. Some people play computer games or watch TV for an hour after work to relax, I cook dinner.

[emj]

Using left overs is a way to cook more complex meals!

If you enjoy handling food then learning about handling left overs is a big part of that. If you go back and look at weekly food schedules from the past you will see patterns, were people cook one type of food day one to have base or ingredient for the next few days of cooking.

[dagw]

My comment was not so much about leftovers as it was about the time it takes to cook. And while I certainly do use the leftovers I end up with, I also try cook in such a way that it minimizes leftovers.