Unless you fed a football team this Thanksgiving, chances are you have a fridge full of Leftovers. You could plate up a repeat of the T-day feast for the umpteenth time, but why not try something a little more inspired?
Check out these delicious but unexpected ways to repurpose those leftovers. And, no, we’re not talking Turkey soup or casseroles. These Recipe ideas are quick and easy, and you can feel good that you're not wasting all that food.
Post T-day grilled cheese
Who doesn’t love a gooey grilled cheese? Kick it up a notch by loading your favorite sandwich with leftovers.
You could play it straight and just add turkey or go gourmet with a turkey/Havarti cheese/cranberry combo.
Crispy potato cakes
When in doubt, fry. Leftover mashed potatoes are perfectly repurposed as crispy potato cakes or latkes. Mix 2 cups of mashed potatoes with 1 cup flour, one chopped onion, an egg, and salt and pepper to taste. Shape into patties and fry in vegetable oil until they’re golden brown.
Turkey and stuffing strata
Breakfast anyone? When your food coma subsides after a night of tryptophan-fueled sleep, it’s time to refuel.
Spread a layer of stuffing in the bottom of a casserole dish, then, in a separate bowl, combine six eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1 cup shredded cheese, and salt and pepper.
Pour the egg mixture over the stuffing, refrigerate for a few hours or overnight, then bake the strata at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.
Cranberry-sweet potato muffins
Transform your leftover mashed sweet potatoes and cranberries into tasty muffins by adding flour, sugar, an egg, milk, butter, cinnamon and nutmeg to the mix. There are a ton of recipes to choose from online, so check your favorite foodie website or blog.
For a finishing touch, sprinkle the tops with cinnamon and sugar. Feast while warm with a pat of butter.
Turkey enchiladas
Americans whipped up some 51 million pounds of turkey this Thanksgiving, and a lot of that goes right back into the fridge after dinner is served.
If you're not the leftover-eating type, repurpose that turkey into a dish that tastes nothing like Thanksgiving.
Shredded turkey makes a great substitute for chicken or beef in your favorite enchilada recipe. In fact, you probably won’t be able to tell it’s not chicken when the enchilada is coated with your favorite roja(red) or verde(green) sauce and creamy melted cheese. Serve with refried beans and rice, if desired.
Turkey and squash stuffed mushrooms
Combine a cup of mashed squash with chopped turkey bits, 2 teaspoons freshly chopped sage, 4 teaspoons butter, 1/3 cup dry white wine, 5 ounces of goat cheese and salt to taste. Fill each mushroom with the mixture, then top with a layer of stuffing instead of breadcrumbs for a clever twist on traditional stuffed mushrooms. This recipe should make 25 to 30.
Cranberry sorbet
Sick of pumpkin pie? If you have an ice cream maker, try this refreshing dessert instead. Mix a pound of cranberries (refrigerated or frozen) with 5 cups water, 2 1/2 cups sugar, 3/4 cup lemon juice, and 1/3 cup orange juice. Mix in your ice cream maker and freeze for at least two hours before serving.