Thanksgiving has recently passed and now Christmas is on its way. I don’t practice any denomination of religion or beliefs, so I look forward to time with my family, presents and leftovers. Oh, how I love those leftovers. Hopefully many others had the opportunity to cook a turkey, or at least go to a house and eat their turkey, and leave with a plate of extras.

I had the privilege of being invited over to my friend Express Online Editor, Julie Tobias’s house for dinner. She didn’t want me to spend the day alone, so I took advantage of the invite and walked over there. Dinner was delicious, the Jello shots were strong and the four bottles of wine were marvelous. A nice day it was and she sent me off with a container of turkey, mashed potatoes and green beans.

On my stumble back to where I was staying, I started to dream of all the things she and others could do with their leftovers. I’m jealous at the thought of the creations that can be crafted in the homes of those with the food.

Mashed potatoes are always a tricky thing to use up. Most people I know, minus myself, can not just sit down to a heaping bowl of mashed potatoes for dinner. But perhaps you will try adding a little flour and an egg to a few handfuls of mashies, and fry this in a skillet. These are potato cakes. They are excellent if you mix the stuffing and corn into them. Then place a fried or poached egg over the top, et voila- a quick peasant dinner that can be very delicious and filling. Also, you can always use mashies to make potato soup.

You could also mix your chopped up turkey with your leftover vegetable-like green beans- and heat in a pot. Also, if you have any corn, it makes everything better, in my opinion. Add a little cream soup or even just some gravy or chicken stock. Thicken with a flour roux or even just a cornstarch slurry and bring just to a boil. Then put into a baking dish and pat your leftover stuffing or biscuits onto the top. This is like a quick pot pie.

And of course, with the leftover turkey, I love those turkey tacos. Most would not think to try this, but I insist. Shred the turkey, then heat it in the oven or microwave with some pepperjack cheese over the top. Though they taste best with the purchased crispy taco shells, they are almost as good if you fry your own corn tortillas. Then build them up with some lettuce, onions, tomatoes or sour cream.

Turkey noodle soup is always delightful in the cold weather. And everything I just mentioned to you that involves using leftover turkey, you can do with leftover ham. Although I have never tried ham tacos, I bet they are just as tasty.

I don’t have any suggestions on how to make a new dessert out of the existing pies and treats you may have lying around. All I can tell you is that everything is better with whipped topping. And why change something that is so good in its natural form anyways?