Christmas is the season of joy, family gatherings, and an absolute avalanche of food. But once the festive cheer has passed, your fridge is often left groaning with leftovers that you can’t bear to waste. Fear not! Here are five mouth-watering ways to give your Christmas leftovers a second chance to shine.
The ultimate Christmas sandwich
You know the drill – this isn’t just any sandwich, it’s a tower of festive glory! Grab a couple of thick slices of bread (bonus points if it’s leftover bread, too). Layer on turkey, stuffing, a slather of cranberry sauce, and a dollop of gravy. Add a crispy bacon slice if you’re feeling cheeky. Squash it all together and prepare for the best sandwich of your life. Just make sure it’s structurally sound before attempting a bite!
Bubble and squeak reinvented
Turn those leftover roasties, Brussels sprouts, and parsnips into a golden pan-fried masterpiece. Mash them together, season with a bit of salt and pepper, and fry until crispy on the outside. Serve it up with a fried egg or a side of cold meats. Bonus: it’s called ‘bubble and squeak’ because of the delightful noises it makes in the pan – you’re basically cooking a symphony.
Turkey curry to spice things up
Had your fill of cold turkey sandwiches? Spice things up (literally) with a warming turkey curry. Sauté onions, garlic, and ginger, then throw in your turkey along with some curry paste, coconut milk, and a handful of whatever veg you’ve got knocking about. Simmer until it’s fragrant and serve with rice or naan. It’ll have you dreaming of far-off holidays while still being firmly rooted in Christmas spirit.
Christmas pud ice cream sundae
Stuck with half a Christmas pudding that no one has room for? Turn it into the star of a dessert extravaganza! Crumble it over vanilla ice cream, drizzle with leftover brandy cream or custard, and top with a sprinkle of chopped nuts or a dusting of cinnamon. It’s a festive treat you’ll actually look forward to eating.
Festive frittata
Still got a bit of everything? Chuck it all into a frittata! Whisk up some eggs, throw in diced turkey, roasted veg, and even the odd sprout. Top with a sprinkle of cheese and bake until golden. It’s like Christmas dinner got a glow-up and decided to brunch.
With these five ideas, your leftovers will taste so good, you might actually look forward to having them! Plus, you’ll reduce food waste – Santa would be proud. Which one will you try first?