Everything Thanksgiving : Round two

Today it's all about Thanksgiving  leftovers and clever ways to work them into new dishes! I'm pretty excited for Thanksgiving (and of course Black Friday)! I'm sure by now the menu is finalized and you have a game plan for the day of because you're just awesome right? Of course! The biggest challenge to work into other dishes is of course the  turkey, ham or prime rib. I mean I like turkey sandwiches with extra stuffing  but honestly how many turkey sandwiches can you have?

Turkey Bolognese

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This recipe is genius! How easy and smart is this?! For a lighter option use wheat pasta.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 pound shredded cooked turkey (preferably dark meat)
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound spaghetti
• Freshly grated Parmesan

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. 

Add the carrot and celery and saute until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

Add the turkey and saute 1 minute. 

Add the marinara sauce. 

Decrease the heat to medium-low and simmer gently for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to blend, stirring often. Stir in the basil. Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper. (The sauce can be made 1 week ahead. 

Cool the sauce completely, then transfer it to a container and freeze for future use. Bring the sauce to a simmer before using.) 

Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring often, about 8 minutes.

Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten as needed.

Serve with the Parmesan

Potato Croquettes

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 These tasty little treats would be perfect to make in the middle of the week with your leftover mashed potatoes.


 Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons milk
• Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped green onion
• 2 egg yolks, beaten
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups mashed potatoes
• 1 egg, beaten
• Sifted dried bread crumbs
• Peanut oil, enough to fill pan 1/2-inch

Directions

Add milk, salt, pepper, chopped onion, beaten egg yolks and flour to mashed potatoes. 

Chill and then shape using an ice cream scoop.

Dip in the beaten egg, then roll through bread crumbs. 

Fry each croquette in shallow oil until brown on all sides. 

**Cook's Note**: Cook in small batches, giving each croquette at least 2 inches of space around it to not overcrowd the pan. This prevents the croquettes from crumbling while frying.

30 Minute Turkey Chili

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Anything under 30 minutes to make catches my attention and this is such a hearty meal for those cold nights.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 chipotle chile en adobo, coarsely chopped, with 1 tablespoon sauce
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 (12-ounce) Mexican lager-style beer
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, with their juice
• 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• Sliced scallions, cilantro sprigs, avocado, sour cream, grated Monterey jack cheese, and/or tortilla chips, for garnish, optional

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. 

Add the onion, garlic, salt, chili powder, and oregano and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 3 minutes. 

Stir in the tomato paste and the chipotle chile and sauce; cook 1 minute more. 

Add the turkey, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until the meat loses its raw color, about 3 minutes. 

Add the beer and simmer until reduced by about half, about 8 minutes. 

Add the tomatoes--crushing them through your fingers into the skillet--along with their juices and the beans; bring to a boil. 

Cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 10 minutes.

Ladle the chili into bowls and serve with the garnishes of your choice.

**Cook's Note**: A skillet's larger surface area reduces sauces faster than simmering in a saucepan.



Extra Veggie Frittata 

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Ok I'm loving this idea for leftover veggies! It's so simple and easy to make! Perfect snacks for anytime of the day.

Ingredients

• 8 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup stuffing
• 2 cups leftover cooked veggies (broccoli or cauliflower, green beans)
• salt and pepper to season
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup grated cheddar

Directions

Beat 8 eggs, 1 cup milk and salt and pepper.

Add 1/2 cup stuffing bread cubes and 2 cups leftover cooked vegetables (such as broccoli or cauliflower). 

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in an ovenproof 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add the egg mixture and cook 2 minutes. 

Reduce the heat to medium-low, top with grated cheddar and cook 10 minutes. 

Broil 3 minutes, then slice. 

Cranberry Tartlets

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 One word- delish! I am definitely going to make these for a little post lunch treat! You could even freeze half of them for later and just heat them up when you need them. For a lighter option substitute the sugar for Splenda.

Ingredients

• 12 (2 3/4-inch) squares of dough (phyllo)
• 6 tablespoons cranberry sauce
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• Sanding sugar

Directions 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Arrange squares of dough in cups of a mini-muffin pan. 

Top each square with 1 1/2 teaspoons cranberry sauce; fold in edges. 

Freeze for 30 minutes.

Beat together egg yolk and cream. 

Brush tartlets with egg wash; sprinkle with sanding sugar. 

Bake at 400 degrees until golden, 30 to 35 minutes

Have a sweet day!
xoxo,