Oh! The Hangover: Whip Up Healthy Meals With Christmas Leftovers
Discover > Texas Mom Blog > Oh! The Hangover: Whip Up Healthy Meals With Christmas Leftovers
Christmas is no doubt the most wonderful time of the year. It brings with it a lot of fun, frolic, family time and food. It is also the most wasteful time of the year. Sadly, American households throw away 27 million tons of food annually. During the holidays, we go into a cooking frenzy, cooking more than we need to and, eventually throwing away what we couldn’t eat.
I usually do a lot of cooking the few days leading up to Christmas myself. With guests staying over for the holidays, food is always welcome. But after the day is done, so is the cooking spirit. I would rather spend time enjoying with my family and friends. That is one reason. The other reason is that the food in the refrigerator is plentiful to last 2 days at least.
Being raised by economic and god-fearing parents, I was taught to never throw away food, unless it was expired or no longer good to eat. I have tried my best to live by this teaching and inculcate the practice in my kids.
Reusing your food from the previous meal, or even the half-done components of your dish can be a great way to consume resourcefully and responsibly. It reduces wastage and your efforts in the kitchen when you are in a relaxing mode.
So why don’t I share my quick fix ups with Christmas leftovers which are a hit in my household!
Texas Turkey Chili
Turn that surplus of turkey meat into delicious spicy sweet turkey chili. I can whip up a quick batch, made from whichever dried chillies I have in my pantry, onions, tomatoes, beans, garlic, ginger, bell peppers (What wine goes well with bell peppers?) and basically anything else ready in my fridge.
Sauté all these in a stew pot, puree it, and let it simmer. Very soon you will have a delicious rich gravy. Add the shredded turkey to the chili sauce and you have a rich dish that can be served over ready to eat tortillas. Or you could have it with quick fried eggs, and toasted bread.
Tex-mex Chicken Sandwiches
Use your leftover chicken as a healthier, flavorful base for your breakfast sandwiches the next day. Toast leftover bread slices. Add to them, some chili sauce, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes and jalapenos. Evenly spread a layer of shredded leftover chicken and serve!
Pizza Texas Style
My personal favorite is the pizza where everyone in the fridge is invited to jump in! Use your leftover meats, olives, jalapenos, bell peppers and cheeses on simple flat breads and pop them in the oven for a quick browning. This is one leftover dish my kids will never complain of! With several extended family members at home, an impromptu pizza party always wins major points.
Watch Out for Foods Gone Bad
There are some key things to remember when you are handling Christmas leftovers. Make sure you read the expiration date on canned foods. Empty the contents of what’s left in the tin can into a storage container and refrigerate it till the next use.
Dairy products like fresh cream, cheese, yogurt can only stay in your fridge till the best by date. Check the desserts for a curdled smell and use your nose to sniff anything smelling off or sour.
Baked or slow cooked meats can stay in the freezer for up to 2 months, but only if frozen within 2 hours of cooking. Roast chicken will remain good to eat for 3 days in your fridge though its best to shift it up if you are not going to eat it soon.
Go by the first in first out rule when it comes to eating leftovers from refrigerators. The idea is to USE the food, so try to eat it soon or give it to the needy while it’s still good to consume. Reduce waste and have a wonderful holiday!
