Most of the literature on dealing with post-Thanksgiving leftovers addresses the turkey: what do you do with all that meat?
But less attention is paid to the dilemma of leftover stuffing or yams. Tough dilemma, right? We generally agree with that Slate article and say, let leftovers be leftovers! Eat stuffing for lunch - no problem.
There are a few things, however, that can actually elevate your Thanksgiving leftovers and transmute them into even more deliciousness. Here are a few suggestions for your leftover side dishes, if you are indeed so blessed.
No turkey dinner muffins here - most of these are slightly guilty indulgences.
• Pan-fried stuffing: Make small patties of leftover stuffing and fry in a drizzle of olive oil over medium high heat. Crispy, golden deliciousness. Also, if you have a drier stuffing you can combine it with some spinach and an egg or two, roll into balls and bake for the Spinach Balls in the photo above.
• Sweet potato breakfast burritos: If you made a spicy sweet potato dish, wrap up with black beans and tortillas for breakfast burritos. See our recipe for Yam and Black Bean Burritos for more inspiration.
• Cranberry sauce for jam: Leftover cranberry sauce is pretty common in our family. Cranberry sauce will keep for quite a while, and we think it's great on peanut butter sandwiches - just like jam.
• Pie for breakfast: OK, we did say this was a list of guilty indulgences, right, enabled by leftovers? Pie is simple - eat it for breakfast. Cold mincemeat or pumpkin pie for Friday breakfast is a Thanksgiving tradition. Don't forget the whipped cream.
• Turkey sandwiches: The classic, right? Pour a little gravy on top of turkey and some white bread.
Related Links
• Thanksgiving 2007: What's Your Favorite Side Dish?
• Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Stuffed Pumpkin
• Thanksgiving 2007: Sweet Potato Survey
• Get Your Gravy On
We did deep fried stuffing balls at a pre-Thanksgiving dinner. A friend wanted to test out deep frying a turkey before foisting it on her entire family. The stuffing balls were amazingly good.
Someone mentioned taking gravy, freezing it in an ice cube tray and putting a gravy cube in the center of the stuffing ball. We didn't plan far enough ahead for this.
Yeah, I know it isn't healthy.
view sciencegeek's profile
We made a butternut squash puree with pesto but of course it was too healthy to go quickly and we've got a bunch left over. Turns out with an egg beaten in and enough flour mixed in to bring it to an elastic dough consistency, it makes a really good gnocchi!
view cakekick's profile
can anything be done with leftover mashed potatoes? Ours are so unappealing, but I hate to throw them out.
view Eliza's profile