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Did you have turkey yesterday? Do you want to have some fun with the leftovers? Well, you definitely came to the right place!
I'm totally all about "traditional" when it comes to our annual Thanksgiving meal. For us it's always the same. I know traditional varies from one region of the country to another and each family has their own special "must haves". For us, it's turkey, stuffing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, gravy, great veggies and some yummy bread or dinner rolls. I'm in heaven with a dinner like this and give thanks with every fabulous bite.
But you know what? Once Thanksgiving Thursdays's come and gone, I'm ready to roll with something out of the ordinary. Something that will transform my humble turkey remains into another heavenly feast, this time a meal all dressed up in brand new clothes! Check out a few of our favorite recipes below. Some of them call for chicken, but turkey works just as well.
Turkey Tortilla Soup - so good my husband had three helpings!
- comfort food extraordinaire!
White Bean Chicken Chili- south of the border flavor along with lots of healthy veggies!
- an all time favorite here at The Café! It's not only loaded with fabulous flavor, it's healthy and quite hardy too, a meal in a bowl!
Arugula & Chicken Salad w/ Blackberries, Sweet Curried Pecans & Honey-Grapefruit Vinaigrette- so fresh and delicious! Use pomegranate arils, diced apples or orange slices in place of the blackberries, if desired. I have to say though, berries are a really fun, unexpected treat at this time of the year.
Balsamic Strawberry Pizza with Chicken, Sweet Onion and Applewood Smoked Bacon - I know, I said five recipes but I couldn't help myself. This is one of the all-time favorite recipes of Café readers. You only need a few pretty strawberries and it will put everyone in the most festive mood!
Have fun!!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
lena says
how could i forget the strawberry pizza? it is one of the most delicious that i've ever eaten! thx chris!
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Patty Price says
These are both fun and fab-love leftovers when they look like these!!!!
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Pam says
I would love a bowl of this right now and it's only 8:45 in the morning!
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Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says
Chris, what an outstanding collection of recipes - one sounds better than the other. I do not think that I would be able to decide which one I like the best!
Terrific idea for a post, dear Chris!Reply
easyfoodsmith says
You have created amazing dishes out of left overs. Each one of them looks great and so full of wonderful flavors! Hoping you had a great time with the family.
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Sandra Lee says
I'll take one of each!
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Monet says
These soups are perfect. We're supposed to be in the low teens towards the end of the week so soup and stews are a must! Thank you for sharing! Here's to a wonderful first week of December!
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Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Tortilla soup is always a favorite, yum!
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Kitchen Riffs says
We do a traditional Thanksgiving too. And at least one round of traditional leftovers. But then it's on to new things! Terrific ideas - thanks.
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Elisabeth Foodandthrift says
Chris, would not want to take your leftovers; I have so much leftover turkey, and have made soup, and pot-pie with it...just not have the photos. (actually I do have photo of soup)...love your Tortilla soup version...still have some leftover bones and meat and would love to try your recipe, and link back to yours!
I can see, you also had a wonderful Thanksgiving! xoReply
Tricia Buice says
What a gorgeous line-up for leftovers Chris! The pizza, the Tortilla soup, the chili are all amazing! Have a great week!
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Mi Ka says
Very good ideas, Chris!! Looks really delicious!!
A big hug!Reply
Angie Schneider says
They all look very tempting! I love that salad the most.
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rosaria williams says
Fabulous ideas.
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Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Chicken and dumplings are definitely on my menu for some time soon! Happy Weekend:@)
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Anne@FromMySweetHeart says
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving Chris! It sure looks like you did!. I'm a traditionalist too. But I'm always trying to be creative with the leftovers. Thanks for such fabulous ideas! (And that strawberry chicken pizza was one of my all time favorites! : )
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Kate says
I do believe that I could eat a helping of eat one....soup with a side of pizza! Your soups sound like the perfect answer to using up leftovers!
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Susan says
Uh oh...cannot find the Turkey Tortilla Soup recipe. They all look delicious.
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Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Susan, got it fixed! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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