Revamping Leftovers

Creative Recipes to Transform Holiday Excess into New Meals

Holiday tables laden with festive feasts often result in heaps of delicious leftovers. But after the third (or fourth) day of reheating the holiday turkey in the microwave, you may be looking for something a little different. These remnants from your celebratory meals hold the potential for exciting, innovative dishes. With just a little bit of ingenuity, your holiday leftovers can transform from ho-hum to oh-yum in no time. We’ve rounded up some ideas to get the ball rolling, but the possibilities are as endless as your appetite.

Roast Turkey: From Dinner to Sandwiches to Casseroles

The centerpiece of many holiday dinners, roast turkey, often yields plentiful leftovers. Instead of a simple reheating routine, why not craft gourmet sandwiches? Layer slices of turkey between crusty bread with cranberry sauce, arugula, and a touch of Dijon mustard for a satisfying post-holiday lunch. Alternatively, transform leftover turkey into a comforting turkey pot pie or a flavorful turkey and wild rice casserole for dinner.

Recipe: Turkey Cranberry Panini

Ingredients:

• Sliced leftover roast turkey
• Cranberry sauce
• Sliced bread (your choice)
• Sliced cheese (such as Swiss or cheddar)
• Butter or olive oil

Instructions:

1. Spread cranberry sauce on one slice of bread.
2. Layer turkey and cheese on top of the cranberry sauce.
3. Place the other slice of bread on top to form a sandwich.
4. Heat a pan over medium heat and add butter or olive oil.
5. Grill the sandwich until golden brown on both sides and the cheese melts.
6. Slice and serve your gourmet turkey cranberry panini.

Mashed Potatoes: Reinventing for Breakfast and Beyond

Leftover mashed potatoes are incredibly versatile. Shape them into patties and fry for a delightful breakfast side. Topped with a fried egg, they become a hearty morning meal. Transform mashed potatoes into creamy potato soup by adding broth, sautéed onions, and a sprinkle of cheese. For an indulgent twist, try making loaded mashed potato croquettes filled with cheese and bacon, perfect for a savory snack.

Recipe: Mashed Potato Cakes

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups cold mashed potatoes
• 2 large eggs
• 2 oz finely shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 tbsp flour (more may be needed depending on how creamy your potatoes are)
• Oil or nonstick cooking spray, for frying

Instructions:

1. Stir the mashed potatoes, eggs, cheese and flour together in a large bowl. Start with 6 tablespoons of flour and add more if needed. The result should be a slightly sticky, soft dough that can be shaped into disks.
2. With a cookie scoop, scoop out balls from the potato dough and flatten them into thick discs between damp hands. 
3. Heat the oil or nonstick cooking spray in a large frying pan over medium heat. Place the potato cakes in the hot frying pan and cook them until golden brown on either side, about 3-5 minutes each. Serve hot.

Cranberry Sauce: Sweet-Tart Additions to Desserts and Cocktails

That tangy, sweet cranberry sauce can do more than accompany your roast. Stir it into plain yogurt or oatmeal for a burst of flavor at breakfast. Drizzle it over vanilla ice cream or use it as a filling for thumbprint cookies to add a festive touch to desserts. Get creative with cocktails by mixing cranberry sauce with sparkling water or adding a dollop to a margarita for a refreshing twist.

Stuffing: Elevating Soups and Stuffed Vegetables

Stuffing, a holiday staple, can be repurposed in numerous ways. Use it as a base for a flavorful soup by adding broth, vegetables, and perhaps some shredded leftover turkey. Or turn it into stuffed peppers or mushrooms for a quick and delicious weeknight meal. The seasoned breadcrumbs and herbs add depth to these dishes, making them flavorful and comforting.

Recipe: Stuffing Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

• 3 bell peppers (yellow, green, red, whatever you have on-hand), cut in half
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 ½ cups leftover stuffing
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese
• 1 tbsp. olive oil

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 400ºF.
2. Place pepper halves, cut sides up, in 13×9-inch baking dish. Bake 10 min.
3. Meanwhile, cook onions in olive oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium heat 5 minutes or until softened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. 
4. Stir in stuffing and half the cheese; spoon into pepper halves. Cover with foil.
5. Bake 15 min. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; bake, uncovered, 5 min. or until cheese is melted and filling is heated through.

Ham: Crafting Flavorful Breakfasts and Savory Pastries

Ham leftovers offer endless possibilities. Dice them to create a mouthwatering ham and cheese quiche or fold them into fluffy scrambled eggs for a hearty breakfast. For a quick lunch or dinner, incorporate diced ham into a creamy pasta carbonara or use it as a filling in savory hand pies or turnovers, making them an ideal grab-and-go snack.

Vegetables: Reinventing Salads and Frittatas

Don’t overlook leftover vegetables. Roasted veggies can be repurposed into vibrant salads by tossing them with fresh greens, nuts, and a tangy vinaigrette. Combine assorted cooked vegetables with eggs for a colorful frittata, perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Leftover green beans or Brussels sprouts can also be stir-fried with rice for a flavorful fried rice dish.

Leftovers need not be mundane repetitions of holiday meals. With a bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can transform them into exciting, flavorful dishes that will have everyone looking forward to round two of your holiday feast. So, roll up your sleeves, raid the refrigerator, and let your culinary imagination run wild as you breathe new life into your leftover holiday abundance.