Thanksgiving is a time when families get together, sit around the table and talk about what they are thankful for that year. This is also the one time of the year when it is acceptable to stuff your face and not regret how much you ate. Most Thanksgiving tables revolve around dishes such as cranberry sauce, macaroni and cheese, stuffing and turkey.
The day after Thanksgiving, you open your fridge to all of the leftovers. You may eat them once or twice before getting tired of them. You don't want to throw them away, but what do you do with them? Here are some ideas of what to do with all of those Thanksgiving leftovers:
1. Turkey Frittata
A frittata has an egg base. Just like a quiche or an omelette, a frittata can have all sorts of ingredients such as peppers, onions, tomatoes, cheese and meats like ham and bacon. You can even make a spaghetti frittata. This frittata recipe is made with leftover Thanksgiving turkey, peppers, onions, chopped potatoes, sour cream and cheese.
2. Turkey Soup
There are hundreds of soup recipes out there from chicken noodle to broccoli cheddar, to potato. This particular soup is made with leftover turkey. Not only do you use turkey meat for this soup, but you also use any leftover drippings and giblets (which included any of the things you pulled out of the inside).
3. Thanksgiving Pizza
This recipe is unlike any pizza you've had before. It uses many of the Thanksgiving leftovers that will be found in your fridge. Cheddar cheese and leftover mashed potatoes are mixed in a bowl and spread onto the crust. Then the shredded turkey. Spoonfuls of cranberry sauce and gravy are drizzled on it. To top off the pizza, place balls of stuffing all around it!
4. Thanksgiving Panini
A panini is a sandwich made with Italian bread. Typically, paninis are made in a press which gives the sandwich the ridges on the bread. This panini uses sourdough bread. Spread mustard on the bread and lay a slice of Swiss cheese on each piece. Just put some left over turkey in there and you got yourself an appetizing leftover sandwich. On one slice of bread, put turkey and leftover cranberry sauce. On the other slice of bread, lay some dressing and spoon on some gravy. Then, put the sandwich together, butter the bread and put it in the panini press! Talk about delicious!
5. Thanksgiving Pie
Thanksgiving Pie is a casserole of Thanksgiving leftovers. In a large bowl, mix leftover turkey, stuffing and turkey drippings with frozen corn and parsley. Then, put the mixture in a casserole dish and cover the top with leftover mashed potatoes.
6. Turkey Hash with Country Gravy
Hash is a dish of cooked meat that is cut into small pieces, cooked again and usually contains potatoes. This hash recipe consists of leftover turkey and hot Italian sausage. This recipe also has leftover stuffing and does not contain potatoes. Top this hash with leftover gravy.
7. Mashed Potato Cakes
Another thing to do with leftover mashed potatoes is to make potato cakes for a delicious breakfast. Heat vegetable oil and butter in a pan. Coat the potato patties in a mix of flour, salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown for a breakfast feast!
8. Fried Stuffing Bites with Cranberry Pesto Sauce
A creative way to eat stuffing and cranberry sauce. Cut the leftover stuffing into bite sized cubes and coat with egg wash and bread crumbs. Fry each stuffing piece. Blend together leftover cranberry sauce, walnuts and pepper. Serve the stuffing bites with the cranberry pesto sauce.
9. Turkey and Green Bean Pot Pie
This recipe is made similar to chicken pot pie but with out all of the vegetables. You will use the leftover turkey and green bean casserole. Mix green bean casserole with milk, stock and turkey. Press puff pastries into muffin tins. Fill each muffin tin with the pot pie filling and bake.
10. Pretzel Mashed Potato Bites
This is a simple way to use your leftover mashed potatoes! Pour oil into a deep fryer and bring to a boil. Mix leftover mashed potatoes with a large egg and shape into balls. After that, roll the balls into crushed potatoes and cook in the oil. If you are feeling extra adventurous, make yourself a delicious sauce to go with it!
