Make Good Use of Thanksgiving Leftovers

Flickr / Muffet

The day after Thanksgiving is both the best and worst day of the year. It’s the best day because of all the bargains to be had on Black Friday. And yes, even the most skeptical have to concede that there are bargains to be had. It’s also the worst day if you’re the one who is left to deal with all of those Thanksgiving dinner leftovers. But this year you don’t need to go out of your way to hide turkey and sweet potatoes in every meal for the next three days. Instead, consider some of the following:

1. Give the leftovers away. Prior to Thanksgiving, make arrangements with a local shelter to bring plates by for residents. Then, after dinner, fix plates of food (using sturdy paper plates), seal and deliver. Or perhaps your local fire department would appreciate some good, homecooking.

2. Don’t have leftovers. While you don’t want to run out of food, don’t over-prepare. If you’re having eight people for dinner, cook for eight to ten – not fifteen to twenty.

3. Save the broth. Keep the broth from the turkey, including the yummy tidbits and freeze what is left so that it retains its moisture and flavor. You can do the same with corn, sweet potatoes and dressing. Then, on a cold, winter night when you don’t feel like cooking, pull it out, thaw, and you will have a delicious meal ready in no time. Some desserts can also freeze well. But then again, when is there ever any dessert left over?

4. Don’t ‘suffer’ alone. Send goodie bags home with every family. No one can say ‘no’.

5. Throw leftovers away. No, not everything, but there is no use in taking up space in the refrigerator to store food that won’t be eaten and end up getting thrown out anyway. If it can’t be frozen or given away, set aside what will actually be eaten over the next two or three days and get rid of the rest. This may seem wasteful, but it’s now or later, right?

Here are some additional ways to make use of leftovers:

1. Replace the chicken in your favorite chicken pot pie recipe with turkey.

2. Shred the turkey and simmer in barbeque sauce. Serve on toasted buns with leftover veggies.

3. Mashed potatoes are delicious when served in the form of potato pancakes before hitting the mall, or even a breakfast for supper type menu after you’ve shopped till you dropped.

4. Add the turkey to the dressing, bake till crusty on top and serve with leftover sweet potatoes that have been mashed and seasoned with melted butter.

5. Make a tasty chowder with leftover turkey, broth, gravy and veggies. Add additional canned broth and/or veggies, if necessary.