Leftover Time!

We all have to deal with it at some point... what to do with those darn leftovers.  AFter 50 turkey sandwiches and mounds of reheated mashed potatoes, you just want some thing different!  Today I tried 2 different recipes with some of my leftovers that didn't get sent to work with Josh.  I decided to try one to use up the ham, and one to use up the turkey.  The first is a spin on my mom's classic Ham and Lentil Soup.  Probably my favorite soup ever.  It didn't turn out exactly right because I had gotten rid of the leftover juice and I also didn't have a hambone, but it was still pretty darn good!  The Second one with the turkey, was a very simple Leftover Pot Pie using the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and vegetables from the big feast.  Here they are, and enjoy!

Mom's Ham and Lentil Soup

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion (chopped)
1 large carrot (chopped)
3 stalks celery (chopped)
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
5 cups ham broth or chicken broth
2 cups already cooked lentils
2 1/2 cups ham (diced)
drippings from the ham
1 ham bone (optional)
1 teaspoon oregano
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon thyme
pepper to taste

1. Heat the oil in a large sauce pan.
2. Add the onions, carrot and celery and saute until tender, about 10-15 minutes.

3. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, a few minutes.
4. Add the stock, lentils, ham, drippings, ham bone, oregano, bay leaf and thyme.

5. Simmer on medium for at least an hour.  This can also be made in a crockpot.

Leftover Pot Pie

2 cups cooked turkey, cut into bite size pieces
2 cups leftover gravy
2 cups leftover cooked vegetables, cubed if necessary (peas, carrots, corn, beans, etc. whatever the leftovers are. 
1 small onion, peeled and minced
1 tsp italian season blend (or other holiday type herbs)

salt and black pepper to taste
3 cups leftover stuffing

4 cups  mashed potatoes 

2 tbsp butter

1. Pre-heat your oven to 200*C/400*F. Lightly grease a shallow casserole dish and set it aside.
2. Mix together the turkey, gravy, onion, cooked vegetables and seasonings in a bowl. You can taste the mix to make sure the seasoning is right. If you like you can soften the onion first in the microwave for a minute, but it should be fine.

3. Spread the leftover stuffing in the dish. 

4. Spread the meat and vegetable mixture on top of the stuffing, smoothing it on top evenly. Spoon the mashed potatoes evenly over top of all, making sure the filling is pretty much covered. I like to rough up the top a bit with the tines of a fork, so that we get some crispy browned bits when it is done. 

5. Spread on some butter and put it into the oven. Let it cook for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is nicely browned in places and the filling is bubbly.
6. Let sit for 5 or 10 minutes because it will be really hot!