Thanksgiving Leftovers

New Media PublishingIt's official -- at least according to a recent poll we ran -- folks love leftovers even more than the actual Thanksgiving dinner. Maybe it's because the flavors have had an extra day or two to blend, or perhaps it's 'cause the pressure's off. Either way, we've gone beyond the turkey sandwich for tips and recipes to help you make the most of your post-feast ingredients.

Too much leftover turkey? Try:
Brie and Smoked Turkey Panini: Leftover roast turkey, pears (which are in season during the fall) and brie are a delicious combo in this easy pressed sandwich.

Turkey Pot Pie: It's hearty, it's homey, and it's even better when it's made with rich, dark turkey scraps. It's also endlessly adaptable, so go ahead and fold in any extra veggies or stray taters still lurking around from the major meal.

Turkey and Squash Soup: Sub shredded pieces of roasted turkey for raw meat and reduce the end cook time, then hunker down with this cozy autumnal soup.

Turkey and Tomato Panini: Let's be honest -- we love a good leftover turkey sandwich. But this one will stand out with the lively flavors of Parmesan cheese, basil and yogurt -- all melded together with a panini press.

Memama and Mimiwag's Dumplings: Our favorite handed-down chicken & dumpling recipe easily adapts to be just as luscious with chunks of leftover turkey.

Crazy about cranberries, but not sure what to do with them?
Whether they're fresh, canned or dried, whole or in sauce form, cranberries add tangy pizzaz to lots of recipes:
Cranberry Sorbet: After the stress of hosting, you might want to try chilling out a bit. Blend your berries with a homemade syrup, squeeze in a little lemon juice or add a dash of Champagne and freeze until set for an elegant, simple sorbet.

Cranberry and Grapefruit Compote: This sweet and tart compote is substantial enough as a breakfast, brunch or lunch meal, or will add the perfect finishing touch to your day as a dessert.

White Chocolate, Cranberry and Macadamia Nut Cookies: Dried cranberries add a chewy texture and wholesome note to these cookies that are chock-full of ingredients.

Cranberry and Herb Turkey Burgers: These juicy burgers turn typical Thanksgiving ingredients on their heads for a well-received remix.

Had so much food, the bread was left untouched?
Bread keeps exceptionally well, and you surely could save it, but if you're short the freezer space, then just savor it. Bread pudding is a real crowd pleaser, and can oh-so-easily be made into a savory main, or a simple, sweet ending to your feast. Try:
Marcus Samuelsson's Bread Pudding
Caramelized Pear Bread Pudding
Mango Bread Pudding with Chai Spices
Savory Bread Pudding with Spinach and Mushrooms

Sweet potato surplus?
Leftover sweet potatoes are an incredibly versatile treat. They're amazingly tasty when thinly spread in place of mayo on a day-after turkey sandwich, and simply dishy in your favorite potato soup. We like 'em best when they're made into little pancakes. Just mix in one egg, 1/4 tsp. baking powder and a dash of salt and fry in a pan with butter or cooking spray. Also try:
Sweet Potato and Turkey Hash
Sweet Potato & Spiced Pecan Soup
Smashed Spiced Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potato Casserole
Dense Sweet Potato, Orange and Dark Chocolate Cake

In the end, but sure to make smart choices when it comes to leftovers:
- To heat up leftover turkey and stuffing without it drying out, saute it in a little white wine. Rieslings complement the flavors quite nicely.
- Refrigerated leftover turkey and stuffing should be eaten within 2-3 days.
- Leftover gravy should be used within 1-2 days.
- Leftover frozen turkey should be used within 2-6 months for optimum flavor.
- Turkey, stuffing and gravy should not remain at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. That's reduced to 1 hour if the temperature is above 90.
When in doubt, throw it out.