WOW.. it's that time of year again. The cooling temperatures here in the northern hempisphere, and in New England more specifically. The special time where people get together with those they call family. Whether it's for the meal, drinks, football or the grand nap, Thanksgiving is a time of sharing food.

But what happens to all the food that is left over. I sure hope it's not thrown out. Listed below are twenty (20) ideas of what to do with some of the leftovers from your Thanksgiving meal.

Sandwich types of meals:

1. Wraps.. lettuce and cranberry sauce will add a zing to the turkey and stuffing or whatever combination you make.

2. Turkey and cheese quesidillas.. with a cranberry mayo as a dipping sauce.

3. Don't have tortilla's.. use that Panini maker that you have and use the same ingredients.. grilled to perfections.

Other turkey main options.

4. Turkey Pizza.. you could use the leftover gravy as the sauce.. layer the potatoes then season and put on the turkey, and vegetables last

5. Stuffed Mushrooms with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. take the caps out.. and stuff the mixture.

6. Last on the turkey as the main is home made Sushi. Using a seaweed sheet, you spread the mash potatoes and then layer the stuffing and turkey.. again.. use the cranberry sauce as a dipping sauce.. I'd add some smoked paparika and yogurt or tad of mayo..

Are you getting any ideas of what you can do with what you have leftover?

Next up: The Side Dishes..

7. Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole: Now this dish is not for michelin star tastes. It's a lazy way .. same flavors kinda dish.. this is just for the get er done dinner.. You combine all the ingredients in layers and then bake until golden brown.

Best.. first chop up the turkey, then you'll want the green beans or a saucey vegetable as the base.. then the stuffing.. then the chopped turkey.. you can add a little seasoning to the turkey at this point.. mash potatoes on top.

Do you want to go fancy?

Do you know what a piping bag is?

Okay so you don't .. that's okay.. I want you to take a plastic sandwich bag, fill it with the mash potatoes, then cut one of the tips about 1/2 inch triangle off. Then you will PIPE.. like a pipe.. or decorate the top with the mash potatoes.

8. Turkey Sheperds Pie is almost the same but.. I would use either the mash potatoes, sweet potatoes or stuffing as the topping.. veggies on bottom.. mix in the turkey, or if you have ham left, then the mashed on top.. wanna change it up.. put a cup of cheddar cheese with a dash of milk to restir up the potatoes.

9. Next we have Enchiladas.. Foll up the diced turkey use the sweet potatoes and then cover with a green enchilada sauce and bake it.. the sweet potatoes and enchilada sauce really balance each other out.

10. Green Bean Casserole Frittata

Add 1 egg for 2 cups of GB leftovers, stir, add to the fry pan and you have a frittata. This can bake really easy, if you've got a cast iron skillet, that would work great because it holds the heat.

11. Sweet Potato Hash: dice the sweet potatoes, saute them with leftover turkey and some spices.. perhaps even an onion.. easy peezy.

12. Sweet Potato Pancakes make them savory or make them sweet.

13. Turkey and stuffing, stuffed peppers. hollow out the peppers, have the mixture ready.. stuffing and chopped turkey.. then you'll bake for more than 20 minutes..

14. ROLLS.. turn them into a breakfast casserole. milk, eggs vanilla cinnamon.. add a little clove.. tear up all the break and mix it together.. oooh.. you could make break puddingwith a little brandy and some butter.. that would be good

15. Pumplkin Pie Milk Shake: Blend the pumpkin pie with vanilla icecream and splash of milk in a blender.

16. Pumpkin Pie Parfait: Layer the crumbled pieces of pumpkin pie with whipped cream and pecans for a lighter side of pumpkin pie. this can be done with other pies as well.

17. Pecan Pie Ice Cream: Chop up the pies.. and fold into softened vanilla icecream and return to the freezer.

18. Apple Pie Icecream: Same as the pecan pie.. but use the old fashioned vanilla ice cream.. it'll make a difference, you'll see.

19. Pecan Pie Energy Bites: Blend the pecan pie with some oats. put nto balls and refrigerate..

20. Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats: Mix the pumpkin pie into your overnight oats, add a bit of milk and you have a great breakfast.

Enjoy your time with your family and friends.

Warmly,

Auntie Anne