One of the best things about Christmas Feast!ng is using the leftovers. We have put together some delicious ideas so you can make sure nothing goes to waste.
Product Storage
The only product you should keep on the bone when storing is your Christmas ham. This results in less of the ham surface being exposed which helps maintain the freshness and moisture of the whole ham when stored in a ham bag or pillowcase.
Leftover turkey should be sliced and placed in a container with a lid. Make sure you refrigerate within one hour of cooling. It will keep for 3-4 days. It will also freeze for up to two months.
Remove the meat from the bones before storing leftover poultry such as turkey, chicken, goose or duck.
Extend the shelf life of left over poultry meat by packing in plastic containers with lids and refrigerating within one hour of cooling. It will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge or up to two months in the freezer.
Turkey and Chicken
How about a turkey, bacon and BBQ sauce pizza?
Too hot to cook? Make Vietnamese rice paper rolls using leftover turkey or chicken. Just make sure you have rice paper sheets and vermicelli noodles in the pantry before Christmas arrives.
Use left over roast poultry bones to make a stock for simple soups. Add some leftover shredded meat and seasonal vegetables.
Cooked turkey and chicken make a tasty addition to risotto.
All you need is Arborio rice and Parmesan cheese. Make a simple stock with the bones, some fresh vegetables and herbs.
Spicy empanadas are a brilliant way to use leftover chicken or turkey. They take a little effort but are so worth it!
Ham
Ham is popular with almost everyone and can be utilised for quick snacks from ham and cheese toasties to ham and goat’s cheese soufflés.
It is a delicious and lean alternative to bacon for breakfast when you have time for eggs and ham or omelettes.
Make an old fashioned, delicious baked macaroni and cheese with leftover ham.
How about ham and egg pies or an open cheese, ham and cherry tomato tart? Make the filling with sour cream, fetta, grated cheddar, ham and dot with sliced cherry tomatoes.
Get the kids involved and pop some ham on a home made pizza. Using pita bread as a base makes for a light and easy meal in the days after Christmas when you can’t be bothered cooking.
Serve a platter of ham sandwiches with sides of horseradish, pickled onion, tomato, mustards, cheese and chutneys and let your guests mix and match
Don’t forget to freeze your ham bones ready to make stock in the cooler weather.
Pork
Try pork fajitas. All you need are tortilla/fajita wraps and leftovers. Just make a fresh salsa to bring it all together.
Make your own dumplings. Either from scratch or with pre-made casings. Just dice leftover pork with mixed vegetables and spices.
Add to home made fried rice. The kids love this quick meal that utilises all your leftovers.
Make your own Banh Mi rolls. Fill Vietnamese bread rolls with roast pork, fresh cucumber, daikon radish, grated carrot, coriander and chilli. Top with a little mayonnaise and soy sauce.