The week between Christmas and the New Year is the time to eat up those leftovers. Try these fast, fuss-free, tasty recipes.
Leftover veg bubble & squeak cakes with poached egg
Try this mouthwatering combination for a speedy brunch, lunch or light dinner
Feeds 4 * Ready in 30 minutes
Ingredients
15g unsalted butter
200g peeled brussels sprouts, thinly sliced
1 thyme sprig, plus extra to garnish
100g roasted parsnips, chopped
100g cooked carrots, sliced
400g mashed potatoes
1 tbsp rapeseed oil (alternatively you can use extra virgin olive oil)
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
4 eggs
Black pepper to season
4 handfuls of rocket, to serve
4 tbsp cranberry sauce, to serve
Method
Melt the butter in a pan over a low heat
Gently fry the sliced sprouts with the thyme sprig and some black pepper for 2-3 mins, until beginning to soften
Add the parsnips and carrots, and cook until heated through
Remove the thyme stalk from the pan and add the mash, breaking it up with the back of a spoon
Stir until well combined, then take off the heat
Set aside for 5 mins to cool slightly
Meanwhile, bring a pan of water to a simmer
Divide the mash mixture into 4 and shape into patties with damp hands
Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the patties for 3-4 mins on each side, until golden
While the patties are cooking, add the vinegar to the pan of water and swirl
One at a time, crack the eggs in and poach for 2-3 mins until set
Lift out with a slotted spoon and set aside on kitchen paper
To serve, put one patty onto each plate, top with a poached egg and season with black pepper
Sprinkle with a little thyme and add a handful of rocket, plus a dollop of cranberry sauce
Creamy turkey and leek pasta
Feeds 2 * Ready in 20 minutes
120g dried penne pasta
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 leek, finely sliced
Pinch of chilli flakes
Salt & pepper for seasoning
40g light soft cheese
20g Stilton, crumbled
200g leftover cooked turkey breast, chopped
Method
Cook the penne according to the pack instructions then drain, reserving a little pasta water
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a frying pan and cook the onion for 2-3 mins
Stir in the garlic and leek, and cook for a further 5 mins
Stir in a pinch of chilli flakes and the soft cheese, season, and cook until combined
Add the Stilton and the leftover turkey breast and heat through
To serve, toss with the pasta and the pasta water, and sprinkle over some freshly ground black pepper and a few extra chilli flakes if needed
Christmas quesadillas
This twist on the classic leftovers sandwich will go down a treat
Feeds 4 * Ready in 25 minutes
Ingredients
4 tbsp cranberry sauce
8 large tortilla wraps
2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
100g leftover cooked Brussels sprouts, shredded
200g leftover roast turkey meat, torn
¼ red onion, thinly sliced
60g grated mozzarella
Method
Spread the cranberry sauce across 4 of the wraps, right to the edges
Repeat with the wholegrain mustard on the other wraps
Scatter the sprouts on the mustard wraps, followed by the turkey, onion and mozzarella, then season
Put the cranberry wraps on top, sauce-side down, and press gently
Heat 2 large nonstick frying pans over medium heat and toast a quesadilla in each on 1 side for 3-4 mins, using a large spatula to press down gently
Flip over and toast the other side for 2-3 mins
Keep them warm while you cook the remaining quesadillas
Cut them into wedges and serve immediately
Afiyet olsun!
Recipes courtesy of the Co-op. Ingredients can all be purchased from your local branch if you live in the UK. They are also available at markets, supermarkets and imported good shops for those of us who live in Turkey.
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