Reimagined Turkey Leftovers

Time to be creative and reimagine your Thanksgiving dinner into something else just as tasty. 

 Skinny Turkey-Artichoke and Roasted Red Pepper Panini is a delicious combination making good use of leftover turkey. Use whole wheat bread and some reduced fat ingredients as a healthy option. A skillet can substitute for a panini press. The recipe makes two sandwiches. Recipe adapted from http://bettycrocker.com/ This sandwich used to be on Panera Bread menu.
Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup marinated artichoke hearts(from a 6 oz. jar, drained and patted dry)
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat garlic-herb spreadable cheese (from a 6.5 oz. container) e.g. Alouette
• 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh spinach leaves, chopped
• 4 slices of whole wheat bread
• 1/3 cup roasted red bell peppers (from a jar), drained and chopped
• Turkey or chicken breast slices
• 4 tablespoons reduced fat shredded Italian cheese blend

Directions:

• Place artichoke hearts on a paper towel and coarsely chop. Pat dry with a paper towel
• In a small bowl mix artichoke hearts, spreadable garlic herb cheese, roasted red pepper, and spinach
• Heat panini press or a skillet.
• Lightly brush two bread slices with olive oil and place bread face down on panini press or in a skillet.
• Spread the artichoke mixture on each bread slice.
• Top with turkey or chicken and shredded cheese.
• Place remaining bread on each slice. Brush tops with a little olive oil.
• Cook 4 minutes if using a panini press 3 minutes for a skillet and flip over to toast over side, 2 minutes.

Leftover Mashed Potato Puffs

Cook's Notes: A great way to use up leftover potatoes. The recipe makes 8-10 depending on size of pan used. The recipe comes from thekitchn.com
Ingredients:
3 cups leftover mashed potatoes
3 large eggs, beaten
1 cup grated cheese such as Parmesan, shredded Mexican cheese, Gruyere
1 teaspoon each chives and parsley flakes
1/3 cup diced meat e.g. cooked ham or crumbled bacon

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat muffin pan.
• Beat eggs and add in mashed potatoes, cheese, spices and diced meat.
• Bake about 23 minutes. Let cool in pan five minutes before removing.
  

The options are endless. Be imaginative but here are two ideas to consider.
Goat Cheese and Spinach with Minced Garlic
Italian-Inspired-chopped sun dried tomatoes, chopped basil and finely chopped shallots

"LEFTOVERS"
by Jack Prelutsky

Thanksgiving has been over
for at least a week or two,
but we’re all still eating turkey,
turkey salad, turkey stew,

turkey puffs and turkey pudding,
turkey patties, turkey pies,
turkey bisque and turkey burgers,
turkey fritters, turkey fries.

For lunch, our mother made us
turkey slices on a stick,
there’ll be turkey tarts for supper,
all this turkey makes me sick.

For tomorrow she’s preparing
turkey dumplings stuffed with peas,
oh I never thought I’d say this —
“Mother! No more turkey… PLEASE!”

REMINDER

It does make a big difference