Turkey sandwiches on Boxing Day are a much-loved tradition in many households the world over.
Those smiles start to wear thin, however, when your loved ones find themselves also eating turkey sandwiches on December 27, December 28, December 29, December 30 and New Year’s Eve.
But as anyone who does grocery shopping in Bermuda will tell you, wasting good food is not an option: that mountain of stuff you didn’t eat on Christmas Day must not end up in the trash.
Luckily, some simple solutions are at your fingertips – just follow our Festive Leftovers Guide to keep your family happy until the new year.
The ubiquitous turkey sandwich
We’re only allowing you one shot at the turkey sandwich – so make it count.
The essentials, of course, are thick slices of turkey, a generous spoonful of stuffing and lashings of cranberry sauce, all crammed into a couple of pieces of crunchy bread. Don’t hold back on the turkey: it’s only Boxing Day and people aren’t completely fed up with it yet.
Customise your sandwich to suit your needs. If you like it Specialty Inn style, go for a softer bread with some thick gravy and fries on the side. To fully Bermudianise it, squeeze in a bit of cassava pie. If your kids need a punishment after a badly behaved morning, throw a few sprouts and carrots into the mix. The famous Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop in the United States puts mayonnaise on its celebrated turkey sandwich, which is always a winner in Bermuda.
Turkey hash
Yes, turkey again, but it will at least feel a little different, because this time you’re eating it for breakfast.
Chop your leftover turkey and potatoes into small pieces, along with some diced onion, minced garlic and herbs such as rosemary, thyme and sage. Start frying the onion first, as it needs a little longer to cook, then just throw in everything else. Serve with poached egg and slices of toast – or if you prefer, soak it in your leftover turkey gravy.
You’re probably thinking this dish sounds extremely glamorous, yet it first became popular in Britain due to rationing during the Second World War. Amazing how things evolve.
Festive salad
After a few days of Christmas bingeing, your inner workings might be screaming for you to change gears.
You can do just that by conjuring up something quirky and healthy with your leftover vegetables, chunks of ham and turkey, and bits and pieces from your cheeseboard.
There’s always the option to simply stir it all together in one big dish – who cares, it’s Christmas – but here are a few tips:
- Sweet carrots pair well with acidic dressings or creamy blue cheese.
- Sprouts are a good substitute for cabbage or kale in any of your favourite recipes.
- Walnuts and grapes from your cheeseboard are a great addition to a turkey salad.
- Goat cheese is a perfect match for sweet beetroot and a tangy dressing.
Christmas curry
Sure, anyone can make a Christmas curry just by digging up their favourite recipe and swapping out chicken for turkey.
But you can be more imaginative than that.
Carrots are a perfect ingredient for curry, as their sweetness will naturally balance the spices, and their orangeness helps your dish look more colourful.
Sprouts offer an earthy bite which can complement a spicy, smooth curry – just be sure to avoid cooking them too long in the first place on Christmas Day.
Curry lovers who have sampled aloo will already know potatoes and curry are a winning combination. Our tip is to use leftover roast potatoes as they’ll soak up spices without falling to pieces so quickly.
