The day after. Our friends and family are gone (or sleeping), dishes are washed, the counter and stove are somewhat clean again. For the most part, everything is semi back to whatever normal is.

The state of the fridge is a different story: A ravaged turkey carcass is taking up some major real estate along with countless Tupperware filled with our favorite sides, several cranberry concoctions and a half bottle of wine that was obviously overlooked. While surveying the scene, our mind begins reflecting on the feast our family and friends have enjoyed. We love everything about Thanksgiving, especially bringing folks together…and the food! The following is a few of the ways we make sure nothing gets wasted!

Let’s start with the obvious: Soup. We ‘stuff’ our turkey with all the onion, celery, carrot, and herb stems left from cooking everything else along with an extra onion and some fresh bay leaf. This makes the carcass ready to make a rich and delicious roasted stock. In a large pot, break up the carcass, and use all the veggies and leftover bits from the roasting pan. Bring to a boil, quickly lower the heat to a simmer and skim any scum that may rise to the surface. Simmer for about 1-2 hours. Strain and freeze or use to make your favorite comforting soup with some of the side dishes.

Turkey Enchiladas is an easy twist: Shred the turkey and roll it up in tortillas with some sautéed onions, peppers, and cheese. Place in a baking pan, pour over your favorite enchilada sauce, sprinkle with cheese, and bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Makes an easy, quick dinner.

Turkey and Sweet Potato Hash: chop turkey and cube whatever sweet potatoes you’ve made, and sauté until warm. In a separate pan, sauté onions till translucent, and add your choice of seasonings (like paprika, a pinch of cayenne, or cumin). Toss everything together with some chopped parsley. Spoon onto a warm plate and top with a fried or poached egg. Add a little side salad for a hearty breakfast or lunch.

We are all about an open-faced sandwich! The bottom layer is a savory stuffing waffle, yes, a stuffing waffle. The next layer is warm mashed or sweet potatoes, then a layer of hockey puck cranberry or your favorite style. Top with warmed sliced turkey and warm leftover gravy for a true second feast. It is an excellent offering for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We tend to do a version of this until the turkey meat is gone. Side note: you can make the waffle as big or small as you want; muffin tins also work well. Add softened butter or spray with Pam, add the leftover stuffing, and heat until slightly warm and crispy. Make a full plate entrée or a two-bite appetizer.

Please share your favorite leftover recipes! Cheers, and have a Happy Thanksgiving weekend!

Live well...

Creativity: The day after Thanksgiving

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