From Extra to Extraordinary: Thanksgiving Leftovers

Welcome back!  What a wonderful long weekend it was, filled to the brim with family, friends and so…much…food.  Now that the Tryptophan coma has worn off, are you wondering what to do with the leftovers, both of the decorative and delicious varieties?  We’ve rounded up some great tips on how to recycle, repurpose and reuse those Turkey Day extras (If what you have leftover is green bean casserole, just send it this way, I’ll make sure it goes to a good home).

If you have leftover Food:

LEFTOVER PUMPKIN PIE MILKSHAKE

• 2 cups vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
• 1⁄3 cup milk
• 1⁄4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon

Slice cold baked pumpkin pie, cut into chunks (from 9-inch pie)
Whipped cream, if desired
Cinnamon sticks, if desired

In blender, place ice cream and milk. 

Cover and blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. 

Add pie chunks; cover and blend until smooth, stopping blender to scrape down sides if necessary. 

Pour into 2 glasses; top with sweetened whipped cream and pecans. 

Serve immediately. (For future shakes, individually wrap pie slices and store in freezer).

LEFTOVER SWEET POTATO MUFFINS

•   2 cups self-rising flour
•   2 cups sugar
•   2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
•   1 egg
•   2 cups leftover sweet potatoes, from  casserole
•   3⁄4 cup canola oil

  Glaze:

•   1 cup confectioners’ sugar
•   2 tbsp plus 1-1⁄2 tsp Milk    
•   11⁄2 teaspoons butter, melted
•   1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•   1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar and cinnamon. 

In another bowl, whisk the egg, sweet potatoes and oil. 

Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Fill greased muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. In a small bowl, combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over warm muffins. Yield: 2 dozen. Courtesy of Canton Rep News

If you have leftover Pie Tins:

http://www.maryjanesandgaloshes.com

http://homerestyleruk.blogspot.com

http://www.flamingotoes.com

If you have leftover cans:

http://ruffledblog.com

http://www.bhg.com

http://1800recycling.com