Thanksgiving Leftovers

 

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Let's face it, one way or another we have more leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner than we know what to do with.  Here are a couple of ways to use up those turkey leftovers!

Creamy Green Chile Turkey Soup 

 

Ingredients:

1.  2 cups cooked turkey (or chicken, a rotisserie is perfect here)

2.  ½ cup – 1 cup chopped mild/medium/hot green chile (depending on how hot you like it!)

3.  2 potatoes peeled and cubed

4.  4 cups chicken broth

5.  ¼ cup heavy cream

6.  2 tablespoons butter

7.  2 tablespoons flour

8.  ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste. 

 

Directions: 

Heat butter in medium saucepan on medium heat.  Add flour once butter is melted and cook for one minute.  Whisk in chicken broth and continually stir until smooth, add potatoes and cook for about 15 minutes.  Now add turkey, green chile and cream and cook for another 5 minutes, or until cooked through.  Add salt to taste.

 

Make it veggie:  add any additional vegetables of your choice

Make it gluten free:  replace flour with brown rice flour

Make it vegan: replace cream with coconut cream and use vegetable broth. 

Grilled Turkey Green Chile Cheddar Sandwich

 

Ingredients: 

1.  4 slices whole wheat bread

2.  8 large slices cooked turkey, or chicken (a rotisserie works great here)

3.  8 slices, or shredded cheddar cheese

4.  Chopped mild/medium/hot green chile (about 2oz per sandwich, depending on the heat)

5.  4 tablespoons butter

6.  Garlic aioli (recipe below), or mayonnaise

 

Garlic Aioli:

-          5 garlic cloves pressed or minced

-          2 teaspoons lemon juice

-          Sprinkle of salt

-          ½ cup mayonnaise

-          Dijon mustard

 

In a small bowl, combine the pressed garlic and lemon juice.  Stir to combine and layer so the juice can develop.  Sprinkle lightly with salt.  Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes, so the lemon juice can absorb the garlic’s flavor. 

 

Place garlic mixture in a fine mesh strainer over another bowl. Using a silicone or rubber spatula, scoop the contents of the bowl into the strainer, then press on the garlic with the spatula to get as much of the juice out as possible. Stir the mayo into the garlicky lemon juice until combined.  If you want it to taste a little more interesting, add Dijon mustard.

 

 

Directions: 

 

Heat a griddle pan on medium to high heat.  Butter one side of each slice of bread; add garlic aioli on the other side.  Add cheese, turkey, and green chile.  Grill in pan for about 2 minutes on each side until toasty brown.