It’s almost a week after Thanksgiving and I’m sure some of you still have mounds of leftovers that you’re trying to get through.  Thanksgiving leftovers are one of the best parts of the holiday but there are only so many turkey sandwiches you can eat before you never want to see a slice of turkey again.  I thought that I would share some different ways that you can use up the various leftovers that you might have lurking around your kitchen.

Turkey/Ham/Whatever other meat you may have made

• Obviously you can make a plain old sandwich, but why not jazz it up my making a turkey salad sandwich?  Shred up the turkey and mix together with some mashed up avocado, a little lemon juice, and salt and pepper.  Or use hummus or spicy mustard instead of avocado, whatever you have a hankering for.
• Add shredded meat to any variety of dishes like soup, tacos, frittatas, quesadillas, or casseroles.
• Make chili with leftover meat and any other vegetables you may have lying around.

Potatoes

• Use leftover mashed potatoes as a topping for shepherds pie or meatloaf.  You can even try it as a topping for my lentil loaf
• Sweet potatoes can be used in many baked goods from bread to muffins.  Just mash them up into a smooth puree and add into the batter.
• Roasted potatoes (regular or sweet) make a great breakfast hash or can be added to scrambled eggs, stews, and casseroles.
• Scalloped potatoes can be used as a crust for frittatas or quiche.

Stuffing/Dressing

• Let some of your stuffing sit out on the counter overnight to dry out a little and you can use it as bread crumbs
• Make stuffing dumplings by mixing stuffing together with 2 eggs, turkey, and some shredded cheese if desired.  Form into balls and add into soup and cook covered for 15 to 20 minutes.  You can also bake them in the oven at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes
• You can also make a breakfast casserole with stuffing.  In a casserole dish, place a layer of stuffing along the bottom.  Add in green or red peppers, cooked sausage, or sauteed onions and garlic.  In a separate bowl whisk 6 to 8 eggs and a little almond milk and then pour over the stuffing.  Top with shredded cheese if you would like and bake at 375 for 25 to 30 minutes.  Let sit on the counter for 5 minutes before you cut into pieces and eat.

Cranberry Sauce/Relish

• Stir cranberry sauce into oatmeal and top with nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans for a seasonal breakfast
• Use relish or sauce as a sandwich topping for a nice tart flavor
• Make a winter salad by combining cooked quinoa/millet/farro/brown rice, diced sweet potatoes or butternut squash, cranberry relish or sauce, and seasonings like parsley or cilantro.  Drizzle a little of olive oil and stir the salad all together.

Vegetables

• Leftover vegetables often get put in the fridge and then forgotten.  Add them into any dish like stir fry’s, soups, stews, or add into salads.
• They are also good on sandwiches or if you’re having a taco night use as fillers for burritos.

These are just a few things that you can do with that pile of food you still have to get through.  Get creative and see where you can add in leftovers to all of your meals.  You can also freeze some of your leftovers to be used at a later time.  This works well with meat and bread like dishes.  As for all those desserts that are staring you down?  I’m sure your neighbor or the office would enjoy having a treat!