The big day is over and the wrapping paper has been scooped up and thrown away. The only thing left for you to think about is what on earth you're going to do with all your Christmas leftovers. Before you send them gurgling down the garbage disposal, consider the following suggestions:
- Give it away! That's right, have plenty of those disposable plastic containers ready to send home with your guests and plenty of zip-lock bags. Spread the food love around and let everyone take home some tasty food to enjoy later.
- Freeze it. Buy the freezer-type zip lock bags and freeze portions of your leftovers to use later in the year. Turkey, ham, and casseroles all freeze well and can be re-heated later, just like a TV dinner, but homemade.
- Think outside the food. Just because it's a beautifully carved turkey right now doesn't mean that tomorrow it can't be turkey tetrazzini or cream cheese turkey puffs. Any dish you'd normally make with chicken transforms wonderfully to a turkey dish.
- Have a party. That's right, bring out all the leftovers one night between Christmas and New Year's and host a "leftover party" informing everyone that all the food has to be gone before anyone can leave.
- Stock up. Make turkey stock with your leftover turkey and bones. Add in some celery, carrots, and lots of water. Then boil, boil, and boil some more. Keep adding water and skimming off the fat. When you've got it as fat-free as possible, pour into plastic containers, ice cube trays, or zip-lock bags. It will come in handy throughout the year.
Leftovers from Christmas day will come in handy in the days between Christmas and New Years when you're home and out of money. They're thrifty, taste good, and only require re-heating. Keep plenty of frozen containers and zip-lock bags on hand as you'll find they're a leftovers lover's best friend.
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