Leftovers – especially after hosting a party – can be either the bane or boon of the holiday season. You’re probably short on storage space and may also wonder about how long certain foods can be stored. That eggnog probably won’t help you keep your fitness resolutions, either! Here are some time- and money-saving tips for making the most of the season’s bounty.
Food storage guidelines
The USDA website contains all you need to know about how to:
Prepare hot foods for refrigeration
Recipes
Leftovers frequently get respect than they deserve because they reappear at the table as smaller, slightly shabbier servings of the original dish. Here’s how to make a series of meals that welcome everyone back for second helpings of holiday favorites:
Eggnog-glazed breakfast muffins
Try the Gracious Pantry’s low-carb eggnog recipe to make these low-carb beauties an even healthier treat, or simply brush unbaked Lemon Poppy Seed Protein muffins with your own eggnog.
Cranberry scones
Cranberry sauce adds a tangy-sweet dimension to these breakfast and teatime treats!
4 tablespoons NOW Foods Organic Better Stevia Extract Powder
1 stick chilled butter, cubed
One and three-quarters cups of almond flour
3 eggs
Once cup heavy cream
One teaspoon vanilla extract
One teaspoon orange extract
one-half cup dried cranberries
up to one-half cup cranberry sauce
Optional: one-half cup leftover eggnog
Using a stand mixer, pulse the butter and sugar until the mixture has the consistency of peas. Add the almond flour and pulse until the flour disappears.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Lightly beat the eggs and cream together, then pour the eggs and cream into the well.
Using a fork, pull the dry ingredients down into the egg/cream mixture. Blend just until combined.
Set the mixer on stir and add the cranberries.
Remove the mixer from the stand.
Divide the dough into portions. Insert one spoonful of sauce into each piece of dough.
Optional: Brush with eggnog before baking
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden.
Ham & leek cobbler
A great way to use main dish leftovers.
Turkey caesar endive wraps
This is a great, low-carb lunch that travels well.
Alternate slices of turkey ribbons of Parmesan cheese in a leaf of endive. Drizzle with up to a teaspoon of Caesar dressing.
Cauliflower ‘risotto’ with ham and peas
This recipe makes your leftover ham and veggies a complete meal.
Three tablespoons olive oil (preferably flavored with garlic or herbs)
Two medium onions, diced
Four cloves of garlic, minced
One-half to one cup of cubed ham
One-half to one cup of green peas
Two cups of raw cauliflower ‘rice’
Up to four cups of turkey stock
One cup of dry white wine
Heat olive oil until it shimmers
While the olive oil is heating, bring the turkey stock to a simmer; keep on the heat
Sauté the onions and garlic until translucent
Add the cauliflower rice and sauté for another 3 minutes
Stir in the wine
Adding one-half cup of the stock at a time, stir until the cauliflower becomes creamy; about 15 minutes.
Cranberry spritzers
This is a novel use for your leftover cranberry sauce.
One half cup of cranberry sauce
32 ounces sparkling water OR
One bottle of Prosecco
Non-alcoholic, fewest carb option: 4 ounces sparkling water
Alcoholic option: 4 ounces Prosecco
Yield: 8 servings
Heat the cranberry sauce until it liquefies. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
Coat the bottom of a flute with up to one tablespoon of the cranberry sauce.
Float either the sparking water or Prosecco on top.
Optional: garnish with fresh cranberries skewered on a swizzle stick
Cranberry salad dressing
Mix two parts olive oil with one part vinegar in a stoppered bottle. Add one tablespoon cranberry sauce. Shake to combine just before serving.
It’s great to know that you have more options than a post-Christmas purge of all those holiday leftovers and gourmet food gifts. While it can be a good idea to give away sealed items, it’s helpful to know that you can adapt new uses for the high-carb items that have already been served.
Resolutions are often broken by Groundhog Day, so be kind to yourself and just start over if you find yourself reverting to old eating patterns. Your doctor can best advise you about a healthy combination of nutrition and exercise. If you just can’t pass up your holiday favorites, two CharcoCaps® capsules will help you enjoy them without worry!
CharcoCaps® dietary supplement relieves gas and bloating FAST!*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Sources:
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/starches-complex-carbohydrate-7780.html
http://blog.paleohacks.com/guide-paleo-substitutes/
http://www.foodnetwork.com/holidays-and-parties/packages/holidays/holiday-c…
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/9061/ham-and-leek-cobbler