by Pamela Kay

Created on: November 13, 2008   Last Updated: January 05, 2012

Thanksgiving leftovers are just one more thing for which we are thankful. After all the hours spent preparing a huge feast, we can use a few meals that don't require a lot of time. It's easy to change the taste of the leftovers and create a few quick and delicious meals to tempt even those who hate leftovers.

*TURKEY CHILI AND MEXICAN CORNBREAD*

If you have a lot of leftover turkey, use your favorite chili recipe and substitute diced turkey for the beef. Use any leftover corn in a pan of spicy Mexican cornbread with jalapenos and shredded cheese for a spicy meal your family will love.

*TURKEY AND DRESSING DUMPLING SOUP*

6 cups chicken stock

3 cups leftover turkey-diced

leftover dressing-cold

*In a large stock pot bring chicken stock to a boil and add the diced turkey.

*Drop ice cream scoops or large spoonfuls of dressing into the broth.

*Lower heat to simmer.

*Simmer uncovered for about ten minutes and serve hot with a dollop of sour cream.

*SPICY MASHED SWEET POTATOES*

4 cups leftover mashed sweet potatoes

2 tbs. brown sugar

1 tsp. cayenne pepper ground

1/4 tsp cinnamon

*Heat leftover sweet potatoes in the microwave.

*Mix brown sugar, cayenne pepper and cinnamon together and add to hot potatoes.

*This is great with leftover turkey and gravy.

*CRANBERRY APPLE PANCAKE TOPPING*

2 tart apples

3 tbs. butter

1/3 cup sugar

1 cup leftover whole-berry cranberry sauce

*Peel, core and slice apples.

*Melt butter in a skillet over medium low heat and saute apples until tender.

*Add sugar and stir until melted.

*Add leftover cranberry sauce and lightly toss.

*Serve as topping for pancakes or waffles with sausage o bacon.

*LEFTOVER TURKEY SHEPHERD'S PIE*

1 onion chopped

3 garlic cloves-minced

3 cups leftover giblet gravy

1 cup leftover green beans

1 cup leftover peas and carrots

1 cup leftover corn

2 cups leftover turkey-diced

3 cups leftover mashed potatoes

1 cup Cheddar cheese-grated

*Heat oven to 350 degrees and butter a casserole dish.

*In a large skillet, saute onions and garlic until soft.

*Add giblet gravy and stir well.

*Add vegetables and turkey and stir gently until blended and heated through.

*Pour mixture into greased casserole dish and spoon mashed potatoes on top.

*Sprinkle with cheese and place in oven for about twenty minutes.

*Serve with reheated leftover dinner rolls.

Thanksgiving leftovers are easy to use and incorporate into meals for a few days after Thanksgiving. Just be sure to cover and refrigerate the leftovers until you are ready to use them.

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