By Sarah Fertsch
When you think of leftovers, do you get excited or cringe? Sure, Tupperware containers full of cold mashed potatoes and congealed gravy seem kinda gross, but with the right spices and ingredients, and a little effort, you can eat the same foods in totally new ways! You’ve probably heard of turkey sandwiches and stuffing casserole, but let me surprise you with new recipes for traditional leftovers. Here are three ways to eat up your leftovers and make your family feel even more thankful:
Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
Ingredients:
Leftover pumpkin pie (at least three slices)
- 2/3 of a gallon of whole milk
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream
- 1 cup of white sugar
- 3 tbsp of cinnamon
- 1 tbsp of nutmeg
- 1 small can of pumpkin puree
Pour whole milk, cream, sugar, puree, and spices into a large mixing bowl.
Using an electric mixer, combine ingredients on a medium speed for five minutes.
Break apart bits of pumpkin pie and add to the mixture, stirring carefully as to maintain chunks of pie within the ice cream.
Pour mixture into a tall-sided pan and cover with aluminum foil. Place in the freezer for 24 to 48 hours.
Enjoy with caramel sauce or whipped cream!
Thanksgiving Stir Fry
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of leftover pulled turkey
- 2 cups of brown, long-grain rice, cooked
- 2 cups of leftover stuffing
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tbsp of garlic powder
- ½ cup of soy sauce
- 2 tbsp of ground ginger
- ¼ cup of teriyaki sauce
- ¼ cup of orange juice
- ½ cup of leftover cranberry sauce
- 1 cup of leftover veggies, such as carrots, onions, peas
Leftover gravy (as much as you’d like)
Using a wok or large pan, add turkey, stuffing, rice, and veggies. Saute on medium heat for ten minutes.
Add eggs into the stir fry, mixing so eggs scramble evenly throughout the mixture.
Add spices, sauces, and orange juice. Mix rice and continue to cook until the veggies are soft and the food is fragrant. Enjoy!
Deep-Fried Leftovers
Ingredients:
Leftovers of choice: mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, stuffing
- 3 cups of canola oil
- 3 cups of breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp of garlic powder
- 2 tbsp of onion powder
- 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese
Raw Sugar Cookie Dough (for sweet potato casserole)
Choose your leftover dish to fry.
In a large pot, pour oil and heat until the oil reaches 345 degrees.
Use a cookie scooper to portion leftover dishes onto a pan (make sure the food is cold).
Combine breadcrumbs with cheese and spices.
If you are frying sweet potato casserole, cover each sweet potato ball with a thin layer of cookie dough and fry for five minutes.
If you are frying mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, or stuffing, roll balls in breadcrumb mixture and fry for five minutes (until the outside is tan and crispy).
Remove fried food from oil and place it on a paper towel to absorb leftover oil. Lightly salt (if savory) and let cool for ten minutes. Dip in cranberry sauce or cheese fondue (or pudding) and enjoy!
