Five Delicious Christmas Leftover Recipes

1. Brussels Egg Fried Noodles (v)

Good for using up: Brussels sprouts

INGREDIENTS

• 6 spring onions, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 to 2 handfuls of leftover Brussels, halved
• 1 tbsp of soy sauce, plus 1 tsp of sugar
• 2 tsp of sesame oil
• 150g of rice noodles, rehydrated (Amoy etc)
• 1 egg

METHOD

1. To prep the noodles, follow the instructions on the back of the packet. 
2. In a wok or frying pan, pour the sesame oil.  
3. Add the spring onions and garlic cloves. 
4. Sauté for a few minutes. 
5. Add any vegetables you’d like to include: Brussels, carrots, sliced peppers, peas. 
6. After a few minutes stir in the noodles. Then add the egg and let it scramble in the heat for a minute. 
7. Slosh in the soy sauce shaken with a pinch of sugar.  
8. Taste and season if you need to, before serving.

2. Coronation Turkey 

Good for using up: Turkey 

INGREDIENTS

• 300g of leftover turkey, sliced 
• 1 to 2 tbsp of mayonnaise
• 2 tsp of curry powder
• 10 apricots finely chopped
• 1 celery stick, finely chopped
• Black pepper
• Freshly chopped coriander, optional

METHOD

1. In a bowl, mix the turkey, finely chopped celery, finely chopped apricots (you want explosions of sweetness), curry powder and mayonnaise.  
2. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if  needed.  
3. Sprinkle with fresh coriander. Serve with rice or in sandwiches.

3. Twilight Pie

Good for using up: Stuffing & Brussel Sprouts

INGREDIENTS

• 300g to 500g of leftover turkey
• 200g of sausagemeat or leftover stuffing
• 2 shallots, finely sliced
• 10 dried apricots, finely chopped
• 200g of Brussels sprouts, chopped up
• 100g of cornichons
• 1 slosh sherry
• 320g of all butter shortcrust pastry
• 100g of chopped walnuts
• 150 to 200ml of double cream

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C-190 °C. 
2. In a large pan, fry the shallots, then the sausage meat, walnuts and finely chopped apricots. 
3. Season if needed (it probably won’t be necessary as sausage meat is quite salty). 
4. Add the drained cornichons and turkey leftovers. Add the double cream and reduce a little. 
5. Sprinkle in a pinch of paprika if you wish. 
6. Grease and line a large pie dish. Pour in the filling. Top with the Brussels and shortcrust pastry. 
7. With a pastry brush, brush the pastry with egg wash - an egg whisked. 
8. Bake for 35 minutes until the pastry is golden brown.

4. Pan-Fried Boxing Day Toastie

Good for using up: Turkey, roast veg & stuffing

INGREDIENTS

• 6 slices of sourdough
• 200g of Brussels sprouts remains, sliced or chopped
• 200g of turkey 
• 2 to 3tbsp of cranberry sauce
• 1 apple, grated
• 200g of Tunworth cheese or Camembert, sliced
• Sage or thyme, optional

METHOD

1. Butter the sourdough. Spread the cranberry sauce on three slices. 
2. Place the wedges of cheese across the same slices. Then the Brussels and turkey/stuffing. 
3. Sprinkle over herbs or baby spinach leaves if you wish. 
4. Add the buttered tops to each toastie.  
5. On medium heat in a frying pan or griddle pan, press down the sandwich and toast until the cheese has melted. 

5. Orzo and Lemon with Leftovers 

Good for using up: Turkey and veg food-waste

INGREDIENTS

• 250g of orzo
• 200g of kale
• 200 to 300ml stock
• 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
• 1 glass of white wine
• 1 lemon, zested
• 1 handful of parmesan, finely grated
• 1 to 2 handfuls of turkey, leftover carrots and brussel sprouts

METHOD

1. In a heavy-based pan, fry the garlic cloves in butter. Then add the kale, then the white wine. 
2. Sizzle off the white wine for a few minutes. Pour in the orzo and stock and simmer. If it gets too dry, add a little more water. 
3. At the end, after approximately 8 minutes (when the orzo is al dente), grate in the lemon zest. 
4. Stir in yesterday’s turkey and vegetables. Warm for a minute or so. 
5. Taste and season accordingly. Serve with Parmesan.