Need some new ideas for using your Thanksgiving leftovers? Think breakfast.
I had apple cider leftover from basting the turkey on Thanksgiving, so one way to use up some leftover cider, is to make pancakes or muffins. I also had plenty of sweet potatoes, vegetables, Italian sausage stuffing, turkey and cranberry sauce leftover, despite giving my guests take home containers. I don’t mind repeating Thanksgiving dinner one night, but not two. So the remaining leftovers need to become something else. Here are a few suggestions.
Apple Cider Pancakes
Yield: 6 to 8 pancakes. This recipe is easily doubled.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Self-Rising flour
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup chopped pecans or peeled and chopped apple
Directions
Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and pecans.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, cider and oil until foamy. Add to the flour mixture and mix until blended
Let the batter rest while the griddle or frying pan heats up. Brush the griddle lightly with vegetable oil.
Drop 1/4 cup of batter for each pancake onto the hot surface. Turn the pancakes over once bubbles have risen to the surface and cook the second side until golden brown.
Sweet Potato Whole Wheat Muffins
Cooked butternut squash would also work well in this recipe.
Makes 12-15 muffins depending on the size of your muffin cups.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup leftover mashed sweet potatoes
- 1 3/4 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 1 apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Directions
Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a muffin pan with 12-15 baking cups or spray the muffin pan well with non-stick cooking spray.
In a small bowl combine the chopped hazelnuts with the granulated sugar.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, lemon zest, cinnamon and ginger.
In another bowl, whisk together eggs, mashed sweet potatoes, brown sugar, oil, applesauce and vanilla.
Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until well incorporated, then fold in apple. Spoon batter into baking cups and sprinkle with hazelnuts and granulated sugar.
Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Cranberry Sauce Scones
I use orange zest in my cranberry sauce. If your recipe does not, then add a teaspoon of grated orange zest with the cranberry sauce.
12 scones
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for sprinkling on the scones
- ½ cup unsalted, cold butter, diced
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup half-and-half, plus more for glazing
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup leftover homemade cranberry sauce
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line two baking pans with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
Cut the butter into the flour mixture with a pastry blender. Fold in the chopped walnuts.
In a small bowl, combine the 1/2 cup half-and-half and the eggs, beating well. Add the cranberry sauce and almond extract. Stir well.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently just to combine. Use your hands to press the dough into a rough ball.
Turn the dough out onto a floured board or counter top. Press and knead the dough just until it comes together. Do not overwork the dough or the scones won’t be tender.
Divide the dough in half. Round each half into a 6″ circle. The circles should be about 3/4″ thick. Cut each circle into 6 wedges.
Transfer the scones with a metal spatula to the baking pans.
Pour a small amount of half-and-half into a dish or measuring cup. Use a pastry brush to gently brush some half-and-half on the top of each scone and sprinkle with a little granulated sugar.
Bake for 12 – 25 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a rack to cool slightly.
Thanksgiving Stuffing Hash and Eggs
2 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cups of leftover Italian bread and sausage stuffing
- 4 large eggs
Directions
In a medium skillet with a cover, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the butter. Add the stuffing, flatten with a spatula and cook until light golden brown and crispy on the bottom. Gently turn the stuffing over and cook for 3-4 minutes more.
With a large spoon make four round holes in the stuffing mixture. Crack eggs one at a time into a small bowl and gently pour into each hole in the stuffing.
Cover the pan and cook the eggs to your likeness or until the whites are completely set and the yolks begin to thicken but are not hard. Serve immediately.
Turkey Breakfast Sandwich
1 sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 bagel thin, lightly toasted
- 2 eggs
- Dash of water
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 thin slices leftover turkey
- 1 slice white American Cheese or your favorite cheese
Directions
Beat eggs with a dash of water, add chives, salt and pepper to taste and mix well.
Heat oil in a small skillet and pour in egg mixture. Cook until set and turn the egg over with a wide spatula to finish cooking.
Fold the egg in half and in half again. Place the turkey slices on top to heat for a minute or two. Place the cheese slice on top and let it warm.
Transfer to the toasted bagel.
‘Oh, she’s not a witch or anything — she just served leftover turkey five days in a row.’
Helen was determined to get rid of her leftovers.
