Frugal Café Blog Zone

Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on November 25, 2011

FOOD. GLORIOUS FOOD.

One of the inevitable end results of a huge Thanksgiving dinner is having loads and loads of leftovers.

For some people, this is a delightful blessing, an opportunity to launch into culinary creativity. However, for other folks, using up all that leftover turkey meat after Thanksgiving or other holiday feasts is a hideous, mind-numbing challenge. So, a variety of delicious, quick, and easy leftover turkey recipes are included in this after-Thanksgiving food photos post.

Whenever they’re available, recipes and recipe links will accompany select “Fab Food Friday Fotos,” with a guarantee that at least one frugal recipe will always be included.

Turkey Fragrant Curry | Photo credit: Fahara, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer/cook Fahara (aka webmistress Emma) provided the recipe link for her turkey curry using leftover turkey — the recipe is posted on her food blog Souperior — here’s her intro:

Every Christmas my father carefully and conscientiously buys a turkey at least five times as big as needed for our small family gatherings, and this year was no exception – to feed just four people he purchased a bird weighing in at a massive seven kilos! I’m sure my dad is at the far end of the scale, but nearly all of us face the bother of leftovers at this time of year, and it can be quite overwhelming sometimes. There really are only so many turkey sandwiches one can choke down with genuine pleasure, after all. So for those of you who, like me, are still chowing down on leftovers, here is the perfect recipe.

I’ve always avoided turkey curry, as it seemed an obviously sneaky way of disguising bland, overcooked meat, but this one is really rather special. Adapted from Anjum Anand’s recipe published recently in Sainsbury’s Magazine, it’s quick to make, and therefore light and fragrant, and seriously tasty.

Jack Fruit, Pineapple, Mango, Oranges, Asian Pears, Watermelon, Fruit Stand on Road Near Tagaytay, The Philippines | Photo credit: trishhh, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Pesto-Ricotta Souffle | Photo credit: ilovebutter, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Brief description from photographer/cook ilovebutter:

Pesto-Ricotta souffle from the Moosewood Enchanted Broccoli Forest cookbook. This is one of my favorite recipes.

Green Beans with Lemon Zest, Garlic, Onions, & Almonds | Photo credit: ccharmon, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Tofu Stroganoff | Photo credit: zorbs, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer/cook zorbs provided this description and the recipe link for this vegan Tofu Stroganoff dish:

Recipe can be found here, I substituted tofu for the tempeh.

Harvested Onions - Egyptian 'Walking' Onions | Photo credit: sleepyneko, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Bacon Tart | Photo credit: jmackinnell, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

There’s an abundance of delectable recipes at Jenny Mac’s Lip Smack food/science blog. In addition to the recipe for the bacon tart provided below, I’m hankerin’ to try her Copycatting the DO-si-Do Girl Scout Cookie and her Mean Green Chicken recipes. And her how-to for making your own vanilla extract is a definite must-try as well.

A half cup or so of chopped or shredded leftover Thanksgiving turkey should work really well in this dish. If you want to give it a whirl, mix in some leftover turkey with the bacon and arugula.

Here’s Jenny’s recipe for Bacon Tart, aka Rustic Tomato Tart.

Rustic Tomato Tart
From Kraft’s First Taste

* 1 ready-to-use refrigerated pie crust (1/2 of 15-oz. pkg.)
* 3 plum tomatoes (1 lb.), seeded, sliced
* 1-1/2 cups KRAFT Shredded Cheddar & Monterey Jack Cheese
* 1/3 cup KRAFT Mayo with Olive Oil Reduced Fat Mayonnaise
* 6 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon
* 1 cup arugula

HEAT oven to 400ºF.

UNROLL pie crust on baking sheet. Arrange tomato slices in circular pattern on crust, overlapping slices as necessary to fit and leaving 2-inch border at edge. Mix cheese and mayo; spread over tomatoes. Fold edge of crust over tomatoes.

BAKE 20 to 24 min. or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown. Meanwhile, cook bacon until crisp. (My bacon was already cooked from the day before, since it was cold I put the chopped bits on top of the tart during the last five minutes of cooking)

COOL tart 10 min. Crumble bacon. Top tart with arugula and bacon.

Whitstable Harbour Fish Market, Kent County, England | Photo credit: Kevin Smith, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Turkey Black Bean Chili | Photo credit: esimpraim, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

While photographer/cook esimpraim’s recipe (posted at Dishing Up Delights) for Turkey Black Bean Chili calls for using lean ground turkey, shredded or diced leftover turkey seems like it can be used just as well.

Beautiful Red Velvet Cake | Photo credit: Katharine Shilcutt, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Cinnamon Sake Horchata | Photo credit: oncetherewasagirl, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Elegant photo — photographer oncetherewasagirl provided the simple recipe for this unique cocktail that would be perfect to serve during the holidays:

Cinnamon Sake Horchata
Serves 8.

* 1 quart milk
* 1-1/2 cups Nigori Sake
* 1/2 cup homemade cinnamon syrup*
* 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
* 1 tbsp almond extract
* Cinnamon powder to taste

Whisk thoroughly in a punch bowl until all of the ingredients are thoroughly integrated. Add ice, dust with cinnamon and serve.

To make the homemade cinnamon syrup, slowly bring 8 cups water and 6 large cinnamon sticks to a boil, then let simmer for 30 minutes. Add 6 cups white sugar, turn heat up and boil sugar syrup. Stir thoroughly, remove from heat and chill overnight. Strain, then bottle for use.

By GOT MILK? in collaboration with Duggan McDonnell, named one of the best mixologists in the country by Food and Wine magazine.

Oyster Mushrooms | Photo credit: henna lion, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Turkey Cranberry Pizza | Photo credit: Kodamakitty, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Quick, easy, delicious way to whip up a thrifty dinner with turkey leftovers that will have kids begging for more. Photographer/cook kodamakitty wrote this:

Turkey Cranberry Pizza Recipe

One of the best uses for leftover Thanksgiving turkey!

Recipe Courtesy of Ocean Spray

* 16-ounce pre-cooked Boboli pizza crust
* 16-ounce can Ocean Spray Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
* 3/4 cup sliced green onion
* 8-ounce package shredded Monterey Jack cheese
* 1/4 pound leftover turkey, cut into thin strips

Preheat oven to 375 deg F. Place Boboli pizza crust on an ungreased baking pan. Spread cranberry sauce evenly over Boboli. Sprinkle with green onion and cheese. Top with turkey.

Bake for 10 minutes or until heated through and cheese has melted.

My major change to this recipe is using two 8-inch Boblis instead of one large. I also suggest allowing the cranberry sauce to drain in a sieve before using so it’s not as wet of a sauce.

Fresh Basil | Photo credit: Rubber Dragon, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Lemon Curd with Ginger Shortbread Hearts | Photo credit: Jocelyn McAuley, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

These shortbread cookies look so yummy — photographer/cook Jocelyn McAuley’s recipe for the Ginger Shortbread Hearts with Lemon Curd is posted at the Brownie Points food blog.

Making Pasta | Photo credit: chatinygirl, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Turkey Leftovers Sandwich | Photo credit: Kristen Taylor, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

This turkey sandwich using Thanksgiving leftovers is simply gorgeous. Description provided by photographer/cook Kristen Taylor:

Turkey Leftovers Sandwich

Left side of sandwich: Roasted fennel, carrot top pesto

Right side of sandwich: Turkey, cranberries, chicken liver pate

Osmanthus Cookies | Photo credit: abakedcreation, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

My dad was baking on the weekend and I couldn’t tell from the aroma what was in the oven. He told me that he was using Osmanthus flowers to make cookies. Apparently, he saw this on YouTube and wanted to give it a try. It’s in Mandarin, so if you understand it (I don’t), have a look.

Well, the reasons I am posting these cookies are, first they tasted pretty good (crunchy) and second, I am so proud of my dad for knowing how to use YouTube (where does he find these things?)! I have underestimated his computer skills…

Osmanthus flowers are more commonly used for Chinese tea, but apparently have lots of health benefits as well. My dad bought some during his trip to Vietnam and Hong Kong last month. Osmanthus flowers aren’t easy to come by (in Toronto, at least), so my dad was pretty proud of his find.

Tuna Bean Salad | Photo credit: Girl Interrupted Eating, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Healthy, inexpensive salad using beans, tuna, and capers — I’ll bet this would be great if you were to substitute the tuna for leftover turkey. Or, maybe even include both… maybe, if you’re feeling adventurous.

The bean salad recipe is posted with several other recipes on the Girl Interrupted Eating food blog.

Breakfast on the Balcony, French Polynesian Cruise, MS Paul Gauguin | Photo credit: George Goodman, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Lima Bean Dip | Photo credit: Miriam Kato, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

The recipe link for this lovely lima bean dip was provided by photographer/cook Miriam Kato and is posted on the food blog Elimination Diet by Umami.

Numi Chinese Breakfast Tea | Photo credit: starleigh, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Turkey Enchiladas Verde | Photo credit: Lynn Gardner, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer/cook Lynn Gardner wrote that she had created her Turkey Enchiladas Verde dish with “leftover turkey and other odds and ends.” No recipe was provided, but here’s one at Taste of Home Recipes and another at Muy Bueno Cookbook.

Broccoli & Shells | Photo credit: emkeller, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer/cook emkeller provided this brief info on the broccoli and shells dish:

From Mark Bittman’s, How to Cook Everything, page 134. Wish I had some anchovies to add some body and pull it all together, but with a bottle of wine and my sweety, it made for a nice, simple dinner.

Turkey & Orechiette Pasta in Mint Sauce | Photo credit: HatM, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Coffee-cup Cookie & a Cup of Coffee | Photo credit: distopiandreamgirl, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

My Mom's Famous Turkey Meatballs | Photo credit: Avital Gertner, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer/cook Avital Gertner credits Mom Leah Gertner with this recipe for turkey meatballs:

My Mom’s Famous Turkey Meatballs

Meatballs -
* 1 pound ground lean turkey meat
* 1 slice of bread – no crust
* salt+pepper
* 1 egg

Sauce -
* 3 ripe tomatoes or 8-ounce can of diced tomatoes
* 1 Tbs. tomato paste
* 3 cloves of garlic
* Extra virgin olive oil
* 2 cups of chicken stock
* Pepper
* 1 Fresh thyme stem
* Chopped fresh parsley

Shred the bread and mix all meat ingredients in a bowl.

Put the bowl in the fridge for at least an hour.

Take a wide pan (wide enough to contain all the meatballs in one layer + lead) and pour in 2-3 Tbs. of Extra-Virgin-Olive-oil. Add the garlic and diced tomatoes and saute on high heat for 10 minutes.

Add the tomato paste and saute for 5 more minutes.

Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add pepper + thyme and taste the seasoning.

Form small meatballs from the mixture and toss into the sauce. Turn down the heat to low, cover the pan and cook for 45 minutes.

After 40 minutes, take away the thyme and add the chopped parsley.

Serve with rice or freshly cooked pasta.

YUM YUM YUM!!!

Leftovers Turkey Pie | Photo credit: podchef, Flickr, Creative Commons

Orange Wine Roast | Photo credit: Daniel Slaughter, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

While Daniel Slaughter’s blog hasn’t been updated in several months, there are a number of intriguing recipes there, including the Orange Wine Roast. Photographer/cook Daniel provided the recipe link:

For a full recipe of my delicious creation, go here.

Spinach, Sausage, & Jack Cheese Breakfast Scramble, Ocean Diner, Redondo Beach, California | Photo credit: jadepearli, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Chicken Piccata with Rosemary Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes & Broccoli | Photo credit: noonch, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Quick commentary from photographer/cook noonch about this Chicken Piccata with Rosemary Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes & Broccoli dish:

Outside, it was a balmy 105 degrees at 7pm. But inside, the air was fragrant with the faint scent of sweet vermouth and lemon juice.

From a recipe in Alton Brown’s book, “I’m Just Here for the Food.”

Coriander Naan | Photo credit: Nickster 2000, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Grilled Lamb Chops with String Beans, Wax Beans, & Carrots | Photo credit: Alexandra Moss, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Asparagus with Fried Capers, Cabbage, & Anchovies | Photo credti: yevgene, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Photographer/cook yevgene provided the recipe for this unusual asparagus dish:

Asparagus with Fried Capers, Cabbage, and Anchovies Recipe

Bring vegetable oil (I used half & half extra-virgin olive oil and canola) to a shimmer over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add about 1/2 cup capers, drained and blotted dry, and about 1c cabbage. Watch for spattering!

Stir occasionally to prevent uneven browning; when cabbage is lightly browned and capers have opened and begun to brown, use a slotted spoon to transfer to paper towels to blot.

Add 3 cloves of finely minced garlic to pan with 1 small tin of anchovies, drained, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir, grinding the anchovies, with a wooden spoon until a paste is formed. Add asparagus spears (I sliced mine in half lengthwise), add 1/2 lemon’s worth of juice, and stir to coat. Cook asparagus to preference — I prefer mine cooked but still firm, slightly crunchy.

Lay cabbage and capers out as a bed, top with asparagus, sprinkle some lemon zest atop and squeeze a bit more lemon juice just before serving.

Blueberry Peach Slice | Photo credit: Dayna McIsaac, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Turkey Stew with Leftovers | Photo credit: churl, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Brief instructions from photographer/cook churl on making this thrift-minded stew with turkey leftovers:

Turkey leftovers – stew

I made a turkey stew with the leftover dark meat. I used some turkey stock, thickened with a mix of flour and corn starch, along with green pepper, celery, potatoes, carrots. I didn’t use too much thickening stuff because the natural starches from the veggies did a lot of the work, and I got some benefit from the gelatin from the stock. It turned out great, and I’ve still got some frozen away.

Light Philippines Meal - Batchoi Soup, with Pomelo & Puto on the Side | Photo credit: Jeff Werner, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Salad with Leftover Turkey | Photo credit: KooshKing, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Guinness & Baileys Cupcakes - Guinness Cupcakes Filled with a Dark Chocolate Baileys Ganache, Topped with a Baileys Butter Cream, Drizzled with Baileys Ganache | Photo credit: DixieBelleCupcakeCafe, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Fish and Chips, Andria’s Seafood Restaurant and Fish Market, Ventura, California | Photo credit: Waqas Ahmed, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Turnips, Farmers' Market, Scottsdale, Arizona | Photo credit: how lucky we are, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Delicious Ground Turkey Skillet Casserole | Photo credit: nirbhao, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

A filling, frugal casserole using ground turkey and corn pasta — photographer/cook nirbhao provided this gluten-free recipe:

Extremely Delicious Ground Turkey Casserole

Cut up 2 small onions, a few scallions, and a 3 or 4 gloves of garlic. Heat them in a tablespoon or two of oil (I used canola) on low heat. Add ground turkey, increase the heat, and brown.

Add a pinch of cilantro and black pepper. Maybe more than a pinch, but less than a teaspoon.

Add beef stock concentrate and two cups of water (or two cups of full-strength stock), bring to a boil. Add two cups of corn pasta. Reduce heat and simmer until the water is absorbed into the pasta. Grate some mozzarella and sprinkle it on top.

Is also delicious with peas stirred in.

Olives with Chilli | Photo credit: chrisinplymouth, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Vintage Dole Pineapple Ad, October 1957 Issue of 'Everywoman Magazine' | Photo credit: alsis35, Flickr, Creative Commons, some rights reserved

Food photos selected and posted are credited and have Creative Commons-licensed content with some rights reserved for noncommercial purposes, unless otherwise noted.

************************

Past three months of Fab Food Friday Fotos posts:

Seafood Stew, Cornbread Bacon Stuffing, Spicy Albondigas, Cakes & Cookies, Vegan Shepherd’s Pie, Bento, Shrimp Nest Soup, Pesto Veggie Noodles, Chicken Rice Casserole, & Recipes

Five-Spice Chicken, Sherried Tomato Soup, Vegan Enchilada Casserole, Chinese Peanut Cookies, Beef & Barley Soup, Salads, Baked Costa Rican-Style Fish, Chili Shrimp Pasta, Lamb Shanks, More Frugal Recipes

Categories: Business & Economy, Food, Drink, Frugal Kitchen Tricks, Health, Holidays and Family, Social and Political Climate
Tags: almonds, arugula, bacon, bad economy, blueberry, breakfast, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, casserole, casserole recipe, cheap, cheap cooking, cheap dishes, cheap meal, cheap recipe, cheap soup, chicken, Chinese, chocolate, cinnamon, cocktail, cocktail recipe, coffee, cookies, cooking, cooking tips, cooking turkey, cupcake, curry, dessert, dessert recipe, dessert recipes, diy, drink, easy recipe, economic crisis, economic hardship, economy, enchilada, Fab Food Friday Fotos, farmers market, fish, food, food budget, food costs, food photos, frugal, frugal cooking, frugal meal, frugal recipe, frugal recipes, frugal tips, frugality, fruit, gluten, gluten-free, green beans, holiday, holiday cooking, holiday leftovers, holiday recipe, holiday recipes, homemade, homemade soup, horchata, lamb chops, leftover turkey, leftover turkey recipes, leftovers, lemon, lima beans, meal, meat, mushrooms, naan, olives, peach, peas, pesto, potatoes, recipe, recipes, ricotta, sake, salad, save money, saving money, simple recipe, skillet, skillet dinner, soup, stew, tea, Thanksgiving leftovers, thrift, thrifty, thrifty meal, thrifty meals, tofu, tuna, turkey, turkey casserole, turkey casserole recipe, turkey chili, turkey dinner, turkey leftovers recipe, turkey recipe, turkey recipes, turnips, vegan, vegetable, vegetarian, vegetarian recipe, vintage ad, vintage food ad, vintage photo