Christmas Leftovers: 5 Inspired Ideas
Despite the undoing of trouser buttons, the loosening of belts and the consuming of indigestion tablets caused by all those third helpings, it’s unlikely that you’re going to finish it all. The Christmas dinner is probably the most thrown away dinner, and likely the only one to dominate your fridge days after it’s served. Yet you can make more than just cold-meat-sandwiches with these leftovers. In fact, you’d be surprised by the almost endless amount of concoctions you can cook up in the days between Christmas and New Year.
1. Christmas Bubble and Squeak
Despite being the healthiest part of the meal, it’s usually the veg that’s thrown away first. However, with minimal effort you can transform the remaining veg into a delicious side dish. Add the cooked cabbage, sprouts or other cooked veg to a pan with cooked potatoes and pat down into a thick pancake looking mixture. Fry for about 20 minutes, and try adding some bacon to the mixture or serving up with gammon and eggs.
2. Leftovers Pie
Now that the leftover veg is sorted, what to do with the meat? While cold turkey sandwiches may be traditional, it’s far more exciting to throw it all into a pie. And not just the turkey – the sausages, bacon, stuffing; even the cranberry sauce. All you need is some ready-made pastry to add the ingredients too. Bubble and squeak with a leftover meat pie – your Boxing Day meal may just be more thrilling than the Christmas dinner.
3. Yorkshire Pudding Canapés
If you’re holding a New Year’s party, then perhaps over-catering with the Yorkshires wasn’t such a mistake. They are the ideal shape to cram with whatever savoury filling you can think of – becoming the perfect party snack. Use cream cheese, or spice up with crème fresh and horseradish, top with ham (or perhaps beef with the horseradish), and garnish with parsley.
4. Leftover Christmas Pudding Ice Cream
If you enjoy making ice cream, it would be a crime not to do this. If you’re unfamiliar with the craft, now would be a good time to get familiar. Imagine your average rum and raisin ice cream, but even boozier, and with a seasonal twist. It's really simple to make, just whizz up vanilla or whichever flavoured ice cream you want with your Christmas pud in a food processer and freeze for a couple of hours, then serve with banana ketchup! Yep, it's a thing.
5. Christmas Cake Chocolate Souffle
And ice cream isn't the only creation you can make from Christmas pudding/cake, last but not least - chocolate souffles. Stir in custard, crumbled cake and cocoa powder to your souffle mix and whip up a healthy date caramel sauce to serve.
What are you favourite ways to use leftovers? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
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