Thanksgiving dinner is one of the most exciting meals of the year! The smell of roasted turkey, freshly baked desserts, and the vibrant fusion of food is a celebration for all the senses. But, after the feast what do you do? Eating cold turkey or letting your stuffed tupperware sit in the fridge is not the best way to go about your Thanksgiving. Why waste your family’s hard work on only one dinner?
My grandma always made a turkey, spinach, and squash soup after the holiday and would hand it out to my family, although everyone always accepted it gratefully, each container secretly ended up in the trash at some point. I do not recommend making this soup unless your goal is to scare your neighbors away with the thick stench of squash.
I get sick of eating the same cold leftovers for days without end, so after exploring the food network, a few better recipes that grabbed my attention were mashed potato pancakes, turkey and stuffing quiche, and the pilgrim sandwich.
Following the traumatizing soup my grandma would always make me eat, I’m pretty open to trying anything, so let’s take a dive into the festive dishes even you can recreate from your leftovers. For example, mashed potato pancakes are an amazing way to reuse leftover mashed potatoes. If you know how to flip a pancake then this is an easy dish for you to make by simply replacing the batter for mashed potatoes and following the same basic steps. They’re perfect for a quick breakfast or as a side dish. I always loved these because my mom makes potato pancakes often and pairs them with applesauce for a traditional German dinner in my household.
An excellent way to put your stuffing and turkey to good use is by adding them into a quiche. Quiches can be served either hot or cold, so they’re amazing for last-second meals. Even though this dish is easy and convenient, according to a small survey released to Glen Rock High School, this was the least popular recipe by far, only 2 students voted that they were most likely to recreate this plate. Personally, I completely agree with these responses, quiches are overrated.
If you don’t feel like cooking, the pilgrim sandwich is the best way to make a lazy lunch. Layering turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and a little cranberry sauce is a perfect way to keep the holiday spirit alive and clear out your fridge. Personally, I’m not a fan of stuffing or cranberry sauce so this would not be a recipe for me to try but from what I’ve seen on social media, this sandwich is a very popular choice. Out of the survey released to GRHS students, 66.7% of the total respondents are most likely to try creative ways to transform their feast into something new instead of eating their leftovers plain.
These creative recipes don’t only keep the Thanksgiving spirit alive, but they’re a fun way to look forward to the days after the holiday. Why settle for reheating the same old plate when you can create something totally new and intriguing instead?
