So, how is everyone feeling this morning? Groan...
Yesterday was Thanksgiving and the refrigerator is full of leftovers. What are you going to do with all the leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, vegetable medleys and other side dishes? (easiest? sandwich! see left image)
Most of us share the bounty by giving away the goodies to everyone who came over for Thanksgiving dinner, but there is still a lot leftover. Here's a couple of super quick meals that are sure to please!
Breakfast Turkey Hash
1/4 cup of diced onion
olive oil
1 cup of diced turkey
1-1/2 cup of stuffing
2 cups of mashed potatoes
gravy (to taste)
chopped chives (to taste)
In a large fry pan, add olive oil to coat the pan. Add onions. Caramelize onions until onions are translucent and brown on edges. Add turkey and mix until warmed through. Add stuffing and potatoes and mix. Add gravy and heat through. When thoroughly heated, add chives. Stir and mix. Add a side of fruit to compliment this quick meal or one of the leftover vegetable side dishes. Serves 2-4
Variation: add an over-easy or scrambled egg on top to serve.
Turkey and Waffles
4 Belgian-style waffles (store bought or homemade)
8 slices turkey
gravy (to taste)
Toast waffles and set aside. Warm turkey slices using a frying pan or microwave oven. Warm gravy in a saucepan or microwave oven. Assemble: waffle; top w/ 2 slices of turkey and top with gravy. Serve with fruit on the side. Serves 4
Turkey Potato Patty
olive oil
1 cup of diced turkey
1 cup of mashed potatoes
1/4 cup of stuffing
1/4 cup of diced scallions
1/4 flour (or less)
1 large egg mixed in a small bowl with salt and pepper
gravy
In a bowl, add turkey, potatoes, stuffing, scallions and mix well. Dust your hands with flour. Form patties with your hand. Set patties aside. Heat frying pan to medium heat. Add oil to coat pan. Dip patties in egg and add to heated pan. Heat through and flip patties over and brown. Serve with a dollop of warm gravy. Add a side of fruit or one of the vegetable side dishes.
Turkey Wraps
1/4 olive oil
1/2 cup onions (reserve 1/4 raw onion)
1/4 cup of diced green pepper
1 cup diced turkey
tortillas (flour or corn)
salsa
chopped cilantro
corn chips
In a large frying pan at medium high heat, add olive oil. Add only 1/4 cup onions and brown. Add green peppers and cook until thoroughly wilted. Add turkey and cook through. Warm tortillas over the pan. Assemble: tortilla; top with turkey mix and dress with salsa, cilantro and left-over raw onions. Serve with corn chips on the side or fruit. Add a vegetable side dish from the leftovers for a complete meal. Serves 2-4
Turkey Salad Version 1
1 cup chopped turkey
1/4 cup diced celery
1/4 cup diced onion
diced scallions (to taste)
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup diced apple
mayonnaise (to taste)
1 tsp mustard
1 Tbsp finely diced sweet pickle
Mix everything together in a clean bowl. Add mayonnaise to your liking. Spread onto whole wheat bread and top with another slice of bread. Cut into quarters. Add one of the vegetable side dishes to complete this lunch. Serves 2-4 generously.
Turkey Salad Version 2
Leftover cooked vegetables:
broccoli, asparagus, green beans, carrots, red onions, beets, etc
Leftover crudites
Romaine lettuce
2 cups of diced turkey
your favorite salad dressing
Chop all vegetables and lettuce in a uniform sizes. Toss into bowl (do not add beets until the end or everything will be pink). Add turkey. Serve on a generous sized platter. Add beets on side or on top. Use your favorite salad dressing. (I like a black cherry salad dressing) Add a bowl of turkey soup to complete this meal. Serves 4-6
Desserts (there were leftovers?!?)
As far as the leftover pies, tarts, and other goodies... a great suggestion is to freeze it and bring it out again at a tea party, brunch or dessert after dinner. If you freeze the goodies, make sure you label the package with a date. But, it's only a few more weeks to Christmas dinner... dare I serve them again? Hee Hee...
Tips and Resources for Safe Food Handling of Leftovers:
