The science and history behind cheese's golden hue
Finish up that last drop of red wine by using it to whip up a refreshing ice-cold granita.
Add spare Brussels sprouts to soy noodles, fried garlic, and basil for a delicious Asian-style stir-fry.
Brussels sprouts also make a tasty addition to farfalle pasta in a spinach sauce with broccoli and green beans.
Those extra thick slices of gammon work wonders topped with pineapple rings and served grilled or fried.
Gammon can also be used to create a distinctly French flavor by using it to make a croque madame (toasted sandwich) with cheese, topped with a fried egg. Without the egg, this Gallic snack is known as a croque monsieur.
Melting cheese and adding to cauliflower is another way to clean the cheeseboard.
And how about this? Melt any cheese and add to potato to make a nourishing winter soup. Garnish with bacon for extra flavor.
Speaking of cheese, don't throw away the remains of the Christmas cheeseboard. Instead, cube and melt what's left and add to a macaroni dish.
Got lots of leftover cranberry sauce? Get creative by liquidizing the berries to add extra kick to a vodka punch.
Christmas continental style may have left you with uneaten croissants. So, make a croissant pudding in much the same way the British prepare their traditional bread and butter pudding.
Spice up your post-Christmas palate by reinventing those turkey slices as a base ingredient for an Indian biryani dish.
Actually, you can create a world of taste after the festive period has ended. For example, leftover turkey is great in a North African squash and chickpea stew. Mix in tangy orange, fragrant ras el hanout, and spicy chorizo for extra zest.
The silky, nutty taste you get from the cannellini bean heightens the flavor of turkey, especially when wrapped in a bronzed pie crust.
If you made your own cranberry sauce, keep the dried berries for use in delicious pinwheel appetizers. Complement with cream cheese and a sprig of rosemary.
Go Tex-Mex with this inspired turkey, avocado, tomato, iceberg lettuce, and tortilla combo.
A traditional British festive treat, Christmas pudding is not to everyone's taste. But it's too good to waste. So, break it up and add to a rich fruit crumble. They'll never know!
If you opened a bottle of white for Christmas, keep what's left. It's perfect with sparkling mineral water, ice, and a twist of lemon.
Stuffing, an edible mixture of herb and starch, is a classic British Christmas lunch accompaniment. Invariably, too much is prepared. Here's the solution. Break it down with those leftover potatoes as complementary ingredients in a hearty casserole dish.
Shepherd's pie, or cottage pie, a British version of the classic French hachis parmentier casserole, is prepared using mincemeat and always topped with mash potato and baked. The point being? Why not use up the turkey trimmings and all those leftover roast potatoes? It'll taste just as grand.
Roast potatoes are often victims of full bellies. But they keep well and, refried, make a great buffet option. Dress up with garlic and thyme.
This hearty winter soup idea calls on turkey leftovers and the stock used to bake the bird. Add condiments to taste and garnish with finely chopped scallions.
The traditional British Christmas palate extends to something called Yorkshire pudding. Made from a batter of eggs, flour, and milk, the pudding is usually served as an accompaniment to the main dish. But you can also use this versatile side dish as finger food, perhaps with salmon and cream cheese.
And did you know that Yorkshire pudding makes a delectable base for profiteroles and all that decadent chocolate?
But if that sounds a tad bit rich, simply enjoy a bite-sized cut of Yorkshire pudding with a cup of coffee.
You may already be regretting the amount of food you've put back over the Christmas period. Feeling guilty? Why not use up those leftover vegetables by mixing up a healthy salad? Here, cauliflower is kept company by spring cabbage, bell pepper, red onion, and fresh mint.
Similarly, you can give red salad—a Christmas lunch staple—a second chance by tossing it in a salad of beet, sliced apple, and chopped walnut.
And you know what, the patty idea lends itself to some inspired vegetarian creations. Use all the leftover veggies you've got and add sunflower seeds or pine nuts for an extra crunchy texture.
You've probably got enough different Christmas feast leftovers to rustle up a dish of tasty patties. You can fill them with minced meats and chopped vegetables, while adding herbs and spices to taste.
Is there such a thing as leftover beer? Probably not. But remember, the amber nectar can be used in cooking to baste food or as a unique ingredient in the basting sauce to impart a rich, dark color and highlight any gravy or marinade.
Sources: (Traveller) (Brewer World)
See also: Move over, Santa: gift-bringers from around the world
Looking for a delicious standby? Remember, just about anything works with an omelet. But go one better by making a frittata, an Italian dish that will use up all manner of meats, cheese, and vegetables.
Creative Christmas leftover ideas
How to repurpose festive food and drink
FOOD Festive season
We all tend to eat and drink too much at Christmas. After all, festive feasting is a traditional Yuletide custom. But this often means preparing more food than is really needed. So after overindulging, what do you do with the leftovers? Well, waste not, want not!
There are numerous ways to finish up what you started, without throwing anything away. But how creative can you get using uneaten Christmas ingredients? Click through for ideas on how to repurpose festive food and drink.