Healthy Leftover Dishes Using Turkey and Ham

The best part about a holiday meal comes the next day. Yes, we’re talking about leftovers, the cook’s best friend! Since part of the cooking is already done, you can use leftover ham or turkey to create healthy, quick-and-easy entrées in minutes. In fact, many people buy an extra-large turkey or ham just so they can put dinner on the table quickly later in the week. Slice or cube leftover ham or turkey and freeze it in meal-size portions, and you’ve got the foundation for plenty of hurry-up meals in the future.

Safe Handling
Perishable foods such as meat and poultry should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. So before you sit back to enjoy some pumpkin pie and coffee after your Thanksgiving feast, take a few minutes to wrap up and refrigerate leftovers.

• Even when refrigerated properly (at 40°F), leftovers should be eaten, frozen, or discarded, within 3-4 days.
• Divide leftovers into smaller portions and store in shallow containers in the refrigerator.
• Wash hands with warm water and soap for 20 seconds before and after handling food.
• Reheat cooked leftovers to 165°F as measured with a food thermometer. Sauces, soups and gravies should be reheated by bringing them to a boil.

Leftover ham
Ham makes a savory addition to a variety of dishes:

• Add chopped ham to a hearty bean soup.
• Mix cubed ham into a frittata made with fat-free liquid eggs and assorted veggies.
• Top ham slices with pineapple salsa and bake until hot for a flavorsome five-minute entrée.
  
• Serve baked potatoes with a dollop of fat-free sour cream, grated low-fat Cheddar cheese and chopped ham.

Leftover turkey
Turkey is a great source of lean protein and a versatile food that works in soups, salads, casseroles and more.

• For a savory and filling whole-grain salad, mix leftover turkey, cooked brown or wild rice, chopped roasted red bell peppers, chopped green onions, sliced kalamata olives, reduced-fat herb and garlic flavored feta cheese and reduced-fat balsamic vinaigrette. Serve as a side dish or stuffed in a large ripe tomato.
• Add cooked leftover turkey to stir-fried veggies and serve with brown rice.
• Toss chopped turkey, toasted sliced almonds, chopped apples or pears, dried cranberries and fresh spinach leaves or salad greens and dress with a Dijon-style vinaigrette.
• Give turkey soup a gourmet touch by using wild rice or barley, onions, carrots, celery and a mix of wild mushrooms.
  

For more information, visit The Partnership for Food Safety Education.
www.holidayfoodsafety.org
www.befoodsafe.org

For more tips, information and healthy recipes, visit the health and wellness section of ShopRite.com