Now that the holidays are in full swing, it’s time to prepare the food! Family gathered for a big holiday supper, and I am still up to my elbows in goodies! Ham, turkey, pumpkin pie, and the mother-load of all holiday cookies.  Not a bad predicament to be in, but what on Earth do I do with all of this food?!  I’ve already sent the cookies to the office with my husband, and the pumpkin pie didn’t last a day. It’s the leftover meat I’m having a hard time with!  What do I do with all this meat?!  I’m still learning a lot in the kitchen, and experimenting with recipes is what I do best it seems! 

As a young cook, I try not to get overwhelmed with thoughts of failure in the kitchen, but sometimes it’s inevitable.  I had to toss the gingerbread cookies that were hard as a rock, and my pup was lucky enough to get a few.  So in the aftermath of the cookie craze, I tried not to get too discouraged when it came to saving the remaining ham from the jowls of the dog or the lid of the trashcan.  I quickly scanned the drawers of the refrigerator and found broccoli, shredded mozzarella, and I soon remembered the leftover deep dish pie shell in the freezer (the twin of the one used for the pumpkin pie).  Ham and broccoli quiche was soon the creation.  I made too much, and by the looks of my kitchen, that fact was evident.  Drippy egg concoction was seeping all over the place – the counters, the sink, INSIDE THE OVEN. An absolute mess was made, but after 45 minutes (and a drip pan underneath), the quiche turned out on top!  Sorry pup, but the humans win again! 

There are endless options to making leftovers new again, but it takes a little creativity to get it going.  Try not to get discouraged like I did, and just stop, look around, and see what you’ve got to work with.  Leftover mashed potatoes?  An easy substitute for crushed crackers in salmon patties (a favorite at our house).  No French Fried Onions for the green bean casserole?  Crush up the holiday cheese straws or biscuits instead.  They add a flavorful crunch that’s delicious! Help me keep the ideas coming, y’all!  What do you guys like to do with leftovers??  Hopefully they don’t end up in the dog bowl like my gingerbread cookies!  Someday, I will master the gingerbread, as they’re certainly not intended to be biscuits for the pups!