Recipes to spruce up your festive leftovers

Is cooking for an army the only way you know how to do Christmas lunch – even when many of your regular guests won’t be visiting? Well, worry not, you won’t have to look at that uneaten turkey for the whole of 2021. The chefs at Capsicum Culinary Studio shared some of their favourite recipes for festive leftovers.

Turkey, Potato and Parsnip Rostis with Fried Egg

A delicious breakfast meal that serves 2

Ingredients:

⋇2 parsnips

⋇2 potatoes

⋇2 handfuls Brussels sprouts

⋇6 eggs

⋇2 sprigs of fresh rosemary, leaves picked and chopped

⋇2 cloves of garlic, crushed

⋇200g cooked turkey breast, shredded

⋇2 tbsp coconut oil

⋇Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Peel the potatoes and parsnips and grate them both into a bowl. Grate or finely slice the Brussels sprouts and add to the bowl. Put the veg in a sieve or cloth and squeeze out as much of the liquid as possible. Return the mixture to the bowl, add the shredded turkey and crack in two of the eggs. Mix and season, then add rosemary and garlic.

Shape the mixture into four rösti patties, equal in thickness. Heat the coconut oil in a separate frying pan and cook the röstis for 3 mins each side until golden brown.

In a separate pan, fry the remaining four eggs to your liking, although soft eggs work better.

Place two röstis on each plate and add a fried egg on top of each one. Tuck in!

*Chef’s Note: Turkey can be replaced with chicken

Leftover ham and peas muffins

(makes 12)

Easy peasy muffin recipe using leftover peas and ham. A great dish for Day of Goodwill brunch

Ingredients:

⋇300g all-purpose flour

⋇2 heaped tsp baking powder

⋇1 egg

⋇pinch of salt

⋇200ml plain yoghurt

⋇100ml sunflower oil

⋇150g cooked peas

⋇3 spring onions, finely chopped

⋇12 cubes leftover ham

⋇55g cheese, grated

Method:

Heat the oven to 180°C.

Grease 12 holes of a muffin tin with Spray n Cook

Sift the flour and baking powder into a mixing bowl.

Beat together the egg, salt, yoghurt and oil. Quickly stir into the dry ingredients until just combined. Stir in the peas and spring onions.

Spoon the mixture into the lined tins, to half fill them. Place a cube of ham in each and cover with the rest of the mixture.

Sprinkle with cheese and bake for about 30 minutes until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes, then place on a wire rack to cool completely.

More ideas:

Ham

Ham platter made with leftovers

Leftover Christmas ham is a great addition to a homemade pizza, especially when combined with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves.

Ham sandwich

You can also use your ham to make gourmet sandwiches, along with pickles, rocket and a good mayo. Or why not make up a platter of sliced ham with gherkins, caper berries, pickled onions and cranberry sauce – served with crusty bread.

Turkey /Chicken

Stuff leftover turkey or chicken into croquettes, along with your favourite cheese, chopped fresh herbs and a little lemon zest. Both are also delicious in fried rice, as the meat absorbs the flavours of the sauce. Add a few fresh veggies and fresh coriander to completely re-invent the dish. You can also use up cold roast chicken and turkey by adding it to sandwiches or stir-fries. Toasted roast turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce is sublime.

Lamb, Beef or Pork

Tacos made with leftover lamb

Turn leftover meat into South American empanadas. Cut circles from pre-made pastry and stuff them with a mix of chopped meat, sautéed onions, hard-boiled egg and green olives. Seal them up like a little pie, add an egg wash and bake in the oven until brown and crispy. You can also use leftover meat to make a spicy filling for tacos, by shredding the meat and add to a spicy sauce, giving it plenty of time to soak up all the flavours. Serve with warm tortillas, sour cream and a punchy salsa.

Vegetables

Leftover vegetable frittata

Transform your leftover veggies into an egg-filled frittata. Leftover roast pumpkin or butternut is ideal in salads, especially when paired up with goats cheese, beetroot and baby spinach. Or make a simple roast vegetable lasagne to turn all your veggies into a delicious and filling meal.