Thanksgiving Left Over Round-Up

Thanksgiving is my favorite meal! I love mashed potatoes and gravy...oh it is my #1 comfort food! I love it all, the veggies, the turkey, the pie! Yes, one day a  year I indulge in it all. I do however have a rule to keep myself in check, I keep it to a holiday season of 1/2! I have a serving of just about everything, but I half it. I don't have full piece of pie, I cut a piece in half.

The next best thing about Thanksgiving is the leftovers. Are you like me though...I can only eat so many Turkey Sandwiches! I like variety and I love to use my mashed potatoes again :)

I wanted to share with you two
of my favorite Post Thanksgiving leftover recipes the greatest part about these recipes is they all Freeze! There is no rule that you have to indulge in all your leftovers in the same week! That could do some damage if you are trying to reach some health goals especially weight loss. My opinion on the actual dinner it is OK to keep it and use it in these meals...now my opinion on the pies...I personally don't keep them I love them for the Thanksgiving day and that is all for me. That is up to you if you keep the desserts in your house. I cannot eat that much dessert and stay on track...it's just not how my metabolism works unfortunately.

So the first leftover recipe incorporates ALL the Thanksgiving goodness except the potatoes. The veggies are the ones that I had for my personal dinner, if you had something else I really think just about any veggie would be wonderful, this is probably the easiest casserole ever because everything is cooked and right there ready to be thrown in.

1) Thanksgiving Casserole

2 cups chopped Turkey

1 c leftover stuffing (or whatever you have)

1/2 c chopped green beans

1/2 c chopped carrots

1/2 c leftover gravy

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place a layer of vegetables on the bottom of dish, add layer of turkey, add a layer of stuffing then cover stuffing with a layer of gravy. Repeat until all is used. Cover with foil and bake 25-30 minutes until gravy is bubbly. Enjoy

My next favorite use of that leftover turkey, is turkey chowder. Traditionally I've done a Turkey Noodle soup, but lately I've been loving the chowder and this is no exception. It is a light chowder that really is a great way to use up that cooked turkey. If you don't want it right away throw it in a container or bag and freeze it for another day! 

2) Healthy Turkey Chowder

1 1/2 c chopped turkey

1/2 onion chopped

1 baking potato cubed

1 c frozen corn

1 c frozen peas and carrots 

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 T basil

thyme and rosemary to taste

4 c vegetable or chicken stock

2 c skim milk

Add all ingredients except milk to pot. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer until potatoes are cooked. Add milk and simmer another 2 minutes. Serve immediately. Great with leftover dinner rolls and salad!