Ham and Cheese Quiche with Spinach

© KRISTY MURRAY (LINGERALITTLE.COM)

Love your leftovers

Tasty transformations to use up your holiday foods

by SUJA NATARAJAN

The holiday season is the joy of coming together with loved ones and indulging in festive meals. Yet, as the holiday cheer settles, do you wonder what to do with all the leftovers? With some planning and a dash of creativity, you can turn those ingredients into delicious meals for your family. Here are some delightful ways to use up the remaining food.

Savoury flavour

Not sure what to do with all the turkey or ham? Wraps, pot pies, sandwiches, fried rice, calzones, salads, casseroles, lasagna rolls and enchiladas can put a delicious twist on leftover meat. Hamilton, Ontario–based recipe developer Kris Osborne suggests pairing turkey with shawarma-style pita, yogourt sauce and veggies.

Or, cook a hearty turkey [or ham] soup with sweet potatoes and peas, recommends Seattle-based recipe developer, cookbook author and Costco member Alyssa Brantley. If you have extra mashed potatoes, Brantley has a suggestion for those, too: Pan-fry them into patties with egg, cheese and your favourite seasonings.

Keep it sweet

Dessert and drink leftovers can be reimagined, too. Use extra eggnog instead of milk for pudding, coffee, hot cereal, cakes and more. London, England–based recipe developer Lucas Guizo recommends using eggnog to make a richer batter for golden-fried French toast.

Repurpose leftover fruitcake into various delights such as cake pops, yogourt toppings, bread pudding, ice cream or cookies. Guizo suggests a fruitcake trifle layered with cream, fresh fruit and nuts for a delectable dessert.

Leftover cranberry sauce can make a delightful addition to sweet rolls, waffles, pancakes or sandwiches. Add cranberry sauce to overnight oats or smoothies for a burst of flavour, or use it as a tangy glaze for grilled meats. New York–based recipe developer Jessie Johnson recommends whipping up a cranberry-mayonnaise vinaigrette-style salad dressing.

Wondering how to store your leftovers? Keep them in shallow, airtight containers or airtight packaging in the refrigerator. Freeze the leftovers for up to four months and always reheat to 74 C (165 F) before eating. Keep the festive vibes going after the holidays by creating delicious dishes with cleverly repurposed leftovers.