Bring on the Leftovers

Between Thanksgiving and New Year, there’s a good chance a turkey might find its way onto your family’s dinner table—there’s an even better chance you’ll have leftovers. Something about the aroma of a roasting turkey says family. Memories are made over stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes and side dishes from time-honoured family recipes.

But, what about the day after when the good dishes are put away, the decorations are stored for another season, and you’ve got a fridge full of left over turkey? Here’s a couple of our favourite ways to transform turkey into “leftover terrific”.

An easy, comfort food recipe for the day after a houseful of company. Add a green salad and you’ve got dinner for 6.

1 small onion, chopped
375 mL (1 1/2 cups) sliced mushrooms
75 mL (1/3 cup) chopped red pepper
30 mL (2 tbsp) butter or margarine
750 mL (3 cups) diced cooked turkey (white or dark)
750 mL (3 cups) cooked wild rice (follow package direction)
1 can water chestnuts, drained
250 mL (1 cup) light cream
2 mL (1/2 tsp) salt
250 mL (1 cup) shredded cheddar cheese

Sauté onion, mushrooms and red pepper in butter or margarine until vegetables are tender (about 5 minutes). Combine vegetables, turkey, cooked rice, water chestnuts, cream, stock and salt. Pour into a greased 3.5 L (13” x 9”) baking dish. Cover and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 30 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese and bake another 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly.

Cranberry Turkey Wraps

Here’s a quick idea that turns left over turkey and its trusty sidekick, cranberry sauce, into a healthy lunch.

4             flour tortillas
4 - 6       slices cooked turkey 125 mL (1/2 cup) cranberry sauce
1             small apple, cored and sliced
               mayonnaise, for spreading (to cut fat, use light mayonnaise)
4             lettuce leaves
750 mL (cooked) salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Spread mayonnaise generously onto open tortillas. Lay down a lettuce leaf on the centre of each tortilla. On top of the lettuce, layer turkey, cranberry sauce and apple slices. Roll and fold each tortilla—enjoy

.FOR MORE WAYS TO USE TURKEY LEFTOVERS VISIT THE ALBERTA TURKEY PRODUCERS ON-LINE AT:  ALBERTATURKEY.COM