Creative Christmas leftover ideas - How to repurpose festive food and drink

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Brussels sprouts stir-fry -

Add spare Brussels sprouts to soy noodles, fried garlic, and basil for a delicious Asian-style stir-fry.

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Brussels sprouts pasta -

Brussels sprouts also make a tasty addition to farfalle pasta in a spinach sauce with broccoli and green beans.

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Gammon and pineapple -

Those extra thick slices of gammon work wonders topped with pineapple rings and served grilled or fried.

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Croque madame -

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.

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Macaroni and cheese -

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.

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Cauliflower cheese -

Melting cheese and adding to cauliflower is another way to clean the cheeseboard.

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Cheese and potato soup -

And how about this? Melt any cheese and add to potato to make a nourishing winter soup. Garnish with bacon for extra flavor.

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Cranberry vodka punch -

Got lots of leftover cranberry sauce? Get creative by liquidizing the berries to add extra kick to a vodka punch.

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Cranberry wrap -

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.

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Croissant pudding -

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.

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Turkey biryani -

Spice up your post-Christmas palate by reinventing those turkey slices as a base ingredient for an Indian biryani dish.

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Turkey stew -

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.

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Turkey pie and cannellini -

The silky, nutty taste you get from the cannellini bean heightens the flavor of turkey, especially when wrapped in a bronzed pie crust.

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Turkey burritos -

Go Tex-Mex with this inspired turkey, avocado, tomato, iceberg lettuce, and tortilla combo.

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Christmas pudding crumble -

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!

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Red wine granita -

Finish up that last drop of red wine by using it to whip up a refreshing ice-cold granita.

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White wine spritzer -

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.

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Potato and stuffing casserole -

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.

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Shepherd's pie -

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.

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Roast potatoes -

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.

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Turkey noodle soup -

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.

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Yorkshire pudding finger food -

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.

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Profiteroles, Yorkshire style -

And did you know that Yorkshire pudding makes a delectable base for profiteroles and all that decadent chocolate?

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Yorkshire pudding with coffee -

But if that sounds a tad bit rich, simply enjoy a bite-sized cut of Yorkshire pudding with a cup of coffee.

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Cauliflower salad -

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.

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Red cabbage salad -

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.

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Leftover Christmas lunch patties -

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.

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Leftover vegetarian patties -

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.

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Leftover frittata -

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.

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Leftover beer -

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

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