What To Do With The Holiday Leftovers

[celiac-mommy]

I thought this might be fun-instead of wondering the day after, what to do with all the leftovers, I wanted to get some ideas of creative ways to use all that food, besides the turkey sandwiches for days

We had our 1st "Thanksgiving" last weekend and I ended up with 4c extra sweetened, spiced sweet potatoes. I knew no one would eat them, so I made them into muffins:

For 12 muffins:

Whip together (~2 minutes-makes the muffins lighter)-

2c sweet potatoes

4 eggs (or 3/4c whites)

1tsp vanilla

if unsweetened potatoes, add 1/4c maple syrup or brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon or pie spice

Stir in 2c Pamela's

handfull or 2 of chocolate chips

Bake 350 for about 25-30 minutes in a sprayed muffin tin, or longer for a loaf pan

~heaven~

Please share your ideas/recipes!!

[missy'smom]

Definitely make stock from your turkey carcassas! It makes alot and is so tasty. If you're not prepared to make the stock within 3 days, you can freeze it and make it later.

[purple]

Turkey pot pie.

[tarnalberry]

turkey and cranberry sauce sushi!

Open Original Shared Link

[actualize81]

turkey and cranberry sauce sushi!

Open Original Shared Link

I do really well with high protein diets so yes, turkey with natural turkey stock. I don't get why people just don't use the natural chicken/turkey stock anyway and feel the need to buy the stuff loaded with MSG or sodium. That's just me...

Remember the Cranberry sauce.. yumm.... Anyone know a good pumpkin pie recipe. What are your plans for Thanksgiving anyway?

I'd like my parents to be a little more aware of my gluten intolerance this year and prepare something gluten free. we'll see how that goes... Do you receive support from family at all?

[Juliebove]

We don't have a lot of leftovers. Normally we have dinner at my parent's house. My mom does one turkey, then some additional legs because my brother, nephew and husband all prefer those pieces. My brother and I bring side dishes and desserts. If anything there are leftover desserts. For some reason, they seem to like a lot of variety with desserts. I never eat dessert. Not even on holidays. Most of the desserts wind up being thrown out.

We usually eat the meal around lunch time and then have another meal later where we use leftover rolls to make little sandwiches and we eat raw veggies with them.

My brother and I will take home enough turkey for another meal. They keep some. Leftover side dishes are usually thrown away unless there are tons. Last year I made a potato casserole. Then my mom made mashed potatoes as well! Few people ate *my* potatoes except for my daughter and I, the only ones who couldn't eat the potatoes my mom mashed because of our food allergies. So that was annoying. Had I known she was going to do that, I wouldn't have made so much. This year I will probably just bake a potato or two and bring them.

When I was a kid, my parents used to make a salad with chopped turkey, mayo, walnuts and grapes. I liked it.

This year things are going to be different. We are not going to go to their house on Thanksgiving because my SIL's birthday falls on that day. So they will go to her parents house and we will probably celebrate both things on the Saturday after. Or maybe not. Haven't heard back.

So at our house I plan to fill the crockpot with turkey legs for my husband. He will eat a ton. For my daughter and I, I will buy a package of sliced turkey breast at Costco. I will make gluten-free gravy and mashed potatoes with turkey broth instead of milk because of my allergies. Will probably pop open a can or two of green beans and some black olives. Might make a dessert. I have some sort of gluten-free crumbs and a couple of cans of cherry pie filling. Got paper plates with turkeys on them and matching napkins. Will keep it low key. Husband only cares about watching football anyway and otherwise spoils our dinner with his complaining. He can now sit in front of the TV in peace and eat his legs.

One thing I used to make (before we knew of our food allergies) for our Thanksgiving meal when we lived in other states away from my family were turkey rollups. I'd take slices of turkey breast, put some stuffing in the middle in a line, then roll them up, seam side down, cover with gravy and bake or heat in the microwave. The only reason I don't do this now is we didn't like the gluten-free stuffing I made. I made a huge batch of it and everyone else liked it, but daughter and I did not. You could easily make this with leftovers, assuming you had actual slices of turkey. The way my dad carves it, there are never big thin slices, but more like chunks. I guess in that case you could layer it with the stuffing on the bottom, then turkey, then gravy.

I usually make a sugar free cranberry relish and I wind up with a ton because I add extra stuff to it. I don't measure. Just chopped cranberries mixed with Splenda to taste, walnuts or pecans, chopped celery, grated orange peel and just enough sugar free Jell-O to hold it together. I will use cranberry Jell-O if I can find it. If not then orange or one of the "red" flavors.

I haven't had any luck with sugar free cranberry sauce. It never comes out looking or tasting right to me and the stuff with sugar just has too many carbs in it for me.

[celiac-mommy]

I do really well with high protein diets so yes, turkey with natural turkey stock. I don't get why people just don't use the natural chicken/turkey stock anyway and feel the need to buy the stuff loaded with MSG or sodium. That's just me...

Remember the Cranberry sauce.. yumm.... Anyone know a good pumpkin pie recipe. What are your plans for Thanksgiving anyway?

I'd like my parents to be a little more aware of my gluten intolerance this year and prepare something gluten free. we'll see how that goes... Do you receive support from family at all?

I use the Libby's pumpkin pie recipe with my gluten-free crust. Other's have used gingersnaps as the crust for a pumpkin pie, which I might try this year. For the most part, my family has been very supportive. I understand that it's hard for anyone who doesn't have it or doesn't live with it (with their kids) on a daily basis really can't get it. The cc issue alone scares me-the ONLY persone outside my home I trust to cook for my kids is my mom, but only because she is gluten-free as well, anyone else-no way! This is our 1st totally gluten-free Thanksgiving-but it's my house, my rules

[angelschick]

My FAVORITE recipe will be easy gluten-free :-) YEAH! I take the left-over meat (even dark which my family will not eat), gravy and add chopped spinach and tomatoes and serve over rice. YUMM!!!

Amy

[Sweetfudge]

Definitely make stock from your turkey carcassas! It makes alot and is so tasty. If you're not prepared to make the stock within 3 days, you can freeze it and make it later.

What's a good way to make turkey stock in a nutshell?

Turkey pot pie.

Mmm, good idea!

I do really well with high protein diets so yes, turkey with natural turkey stock. I don't get why people just don't use the natural chicken/turkey stock anyway and feel the need to buy the stuff loaded with MSG or sodium. That's just me...

Remember the Cranberry sauce.. yumm.... Anyone know a good pumpkin pie recipe. What are your plans for Thanksgiving anyway?

I'd like my parents to be a little more aware of my gluten intolerance this year and prepare something gluten free. we'll see how that goes... Do you receive support from family at all?

What are your plans? Have you offered to help out in the kitchen? Maybe be in charge of a dessert or side dish, something you'd really like to have? Let us know if you need help w/ a recipe!

As far as a pie, I made a really good dutch apple pumpkin pie last year. It's all my father-in-law ate for dessert I'll have to rummage around and see if I can find the recipe.

Heh, I get mixed support from family members. My family lives far away, but they try to be accomodating when we're together. My husband's family isn't very much so...and they live down the street. But, I think it's more a personality clash than simply being unsupportive. They "tolerate" me...but I don't really care, I do what I do, and am happy because of it! Good luck with your family!

Last year I made a potato casserole. Then my mom made mashed potatoes as well! Few people ate *my* potatoes except for my daughter and I, the only ones who couldn't eat the potatoes my mom mashed because of our food allergies. So that was annoying. Had I known she was going to do that, I wouldn't have made so much. This year I will probably just bake a potato or two and bring them.

That would have made me kinda mad too. My mother-in-law is funny about food. She's a really good cook, and takes offense to anyone else bringing food to things. So, when I bring a dessert or something to share w/ everyone, she doesn't ever keep any of the leftovers, even when everyone else likes it. My father-in-law sometimes will sneak an extra piece of something I bring, and hide it for later

So at our house I plan to fill the crockpot with turkey legs for my husband. He will eat a ton. For my daughter and I, I will buy a package of sliced turkey breast at Costco. I will make gluten-free gravy and mashed potatoes with turkey broth instead of milk because of my allergies. Will probably pop open a can or two of green beans and some black olives. Might make a dessert. I have some sort of gluten-free crumbs and a couple of cans of cherry pie filling. Got paper plates with turkeys on them and matching napkins. Will keep it low key.

Low-key can be a wonderful way to spend a holiday! I think that's what my hubby and I are going to be doing. Probably do dessert w/ his family, maybe stop by my grandma's house for a treat too, but I don't like the hassle and awkwardness I have to deal w/ when dining w/ his family (who "forget" I have food allergies every time we have a family gathering), and hubby could care less. So I plan on making lots of turkey, and maybe a dessert or two. I also found a great recipe for stuffing, which I will be able to enjoy while hubby indulges himself in mashed potatoes. Hopefully the stuffing will help distract me from not being able to eat potatoes on this the most perfect day for eating potatoes! lol!

[Sweetfudge]

I thought this might be fun-instead of wondering the day after, what to do with all the leftovers, I wanted to get some ideas of creative ways to use all that food, besides the turkey sandwiches for days

We had our 1st "Thanksgiving" last weekend and I ended up with 4c extra sweetened, spiced sweet potatoes. I knew no one would eat them, so I made them into muffins:

For 12 muffins:

Whip together (~2 minutes-makes the muffins lighter)-

2c sweet potatoes

4 eggs (or 3/4c whites)

1tsp vanilla

if unsweetened potatoes, add 1/4c maple syrup or brown sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon or pie spice

Stir in 2c Pamela's

handfull or 2 of chocolate chips

Bake 350 for about 25-30 minutes in a sprayed muffin tin, or longer for a loaf pan

~heaven~

Please share your ideas/recipes!!

Forgot to grab your post. Genius idea, by the way! And I'm definitely trying that recipe! Yum!

[missy'smom]

this comes from the Butterball Turkey Cookbook

Turkey Frame Broth

makes one half gallon of broth

1 roasted turkey carcass, remove any bits of dressing but otherwise you don't need to clean it up, use as is

3 whole stalks celery, cut in 4 pieces,

1 carrot, cut in 4 pieces

1 onion, quartered

2 cloves garlic, cut in half

1 bay leaf

1 1/2 tsp. salt

10 black peppercorns

1/8 tsp. paprika

10 cups water

Break up the carcass to fit in a large stockpot(4 quart). Add the stuff above. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to low, cover, simmer gently 2 hrs. Remove the carcass. Strain the broth and toss veg. bones. etc. They recommend cooling it in the fridge after straining, not at room temp. After cooling, the fat rises to the top and hardens. I skim it off the next day before transferring to containers to freeze. The stock will look like gelatin. Use as you would chicken broth. When using it in a recipe, add water and/or salt to adjust the taste to your liking.

Enjoy! It's easy, cheap and better than anything you'll buy at the market.

[missy'smom]

One more leftover idea I just remembered is to make a hot turkey sandwich. Put a slice of bread on a plate, layer some turkey slices on top, a scoop of warm mashed potatoes on that and a ladle of gravy overtop. Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner!

[photobabe42]

This is my first year eating and cooking Gluten-free Casein-free for Thanksgiving. My mom is a great cook and while she is open to new ideas, such as my new diet, I prefer to lead by example. I offered up front to cook the stuffing (based some some yummy-sounding recipes I saw here) and two desserts (one pumpkin-inspired, one apple crisp or possibly something chocolate). Nothing else should have any gluten in it, although I asked my mom to keep the gravy packet so I could check the ingredients. I will have to double check with her on if the sweet potatoes have butter in them BUT I can eat a LOT of turkey and other things if the taters don't work out.

Mom was very proud to serve me pot roast, carrots and mashed potatoes last week that complied with my diet. (And oh wow was it good! I am so making pot roast this week.) She also accompanies me on trips to a health food store near her house and she's great at label reading. So I have no worries that I can "fit in" new diet and all.

As far as leftovers, my family all brings their own containers and we make "mini meals" -- enough to go around so that everyone can enjoy a second dinner... or lunch... or snack. Who doesn't love Thanksgiving food? We actually do Thanksgiving inspired family dinners year-round because everyone loves it and it's not hard to make it healthy!

[celiac-mommy]

I found a gravy pkt at Fred Meyer (health food section) and at New Seasons (local grocery store)-not sure if it's new, but boy is it yummy!!! 99 cents and you add it to your turkey drippings (or water, or whatever)-it says 1 pkt per cup of liquid, but with all the flavor of the turkey drippings, I probably used 3 cups of stock and another cup or so of water mixed with Pamela's baking mix (mom didn't have cornstarch...).

It's called Road's End Organic, it's gluten-free/df/cf/vegan and soooo good. I've had the savory herb, they also have a golden gravy and a s$#&ake mushroom gravy pkt. I HIGHLY recommend!!! It would be so good on those hot turkey sandwhiches

[Sweetfudge]

this comes from the Butterball Turkey Cookbook

Turkey Frame Broth

makes one half gallon of broth

1 roasted turkey carcass, remove any bits of dressing but otherwise you don't need to clean it up, use as is

3 whole stalks celery, cut in 4 pieces,

1 carrot, cut in 4 pieces

1 onion, quartered

2 cloves garlic, cut in half

1 bay leaf

1 1/2 tsp. salt

10 black peppercorns

1/8 tsp. paprika

10 cups water

Break up the carcass to fit in a large stockpot(4 quart). Add the stuff above. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to low, cover, simmer gently 2 hrs. Remove the carcass. Strain the broth and toss veg. bones. etc. They recommend cooling it in the fridge after straining, not at room temp. After cooling, the fat rises to the top and hardens. I skim it off the next day before transferring to containers to freeze. The stock will look like gelatin. Use as you would chicken broth. When using it in a recipe, add water and/or salt to adjust the taste to your liking.

Enjoy! It's easy, cheap and better than anything you'll buy at the market.

Thanks! I like freezing my stock in ice cube trays, then transferring to gallon ziplocs. This recipe sounds great!

One more leftover idea I just remembered is to make a hot turkey sandwich. Put a slice of bread on a plate, layer some turkey slices on top, a scoop of warm mashed potatoes on that and a ladle of gravy overtop. Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner!

Mmm, that used to be my favorite! We did that with rolls when I was growing up! So good!

Mom was very proud to serve me pot roast, carrots and mashed potatoes last week that complied with my diet. (And oh wow was it good! I am so making pot roast this week.) She also accompanies me on trips to a health food store near her house and she's great at label reading. So I have no worries that I can "fit in" new diet and all.

Your mom is awesome! How lucky you are that she is so concerned with your health. Hope the holidays go well for you.

I found a gravy pkt at Fred Meyer (health food section) and at New Seasons (local grocery store)-not sure if it's new, but boy is it yummy!!! 99 cents and you add it to your turkey drippings (or water, or whatever)-it says 1 pkt per cup of liquid, but with all the flavor of the turkey drippings, I probably used 3 cups of stock and another cup or so of water mixed with Pamela's baking mix (mom didn't have cornstarch...).

It's called Road's End Organic, it's gluten-free/df/cf/vegan and soooo good. I've had the savory herb, they also have a golden gravy and a s$#&ake mushroom gravy pkt. I HIGHLY recommend!!! It would be so good on those hot turkey sandwhiches

Oh, how I miss Fred Meyer! I saw your soy chocolate milk find too...That's the most annoying thing about moving away from Portland No Freddy's!!

[nasalady]

I love to make Mexican food out of turkey leftovers, such as turkey tacos, burritos, or turkey enchiladas. Here is a good recipe for the enchiladas from Karina's Kitchen, just substitute turkey for the chicken:

Open Original Shared Link

[Cheri A]

MMMM, all this leftover talk has me hungry!

Turkey broth.. I wanted to add that I make stock in my crockpot all the time. Yumm!

Here in Minnesota, everyone makes turkey wild rice soup.