2 days and counting.  I am entirely giddy for the impending holiday.  The menu is set and grocery lists are made.  This is one of my top two favorite grocery shopping trips of the year (the other being Christmas, of course).

Normally, I would have my Thanksgiving goody shopping done by now, but planning my little Ladybug’s birthday party so late in November really threw me for a loop this year.  

(You can read more about the shindig here:  Pinkalicious.)

I did manage to purchase a turkey and presently the 22-pound bird is already thawing in my refrigerator.  (I know.  BIG bird.)  I don’t know why I don’t make roast turkey all year long… it’s entirely delectable, everyone in the family will actually eat it, and it’s usually quite economical.  Our family can feast for days, turkey freezes well, and I can make a load of turkey stock from the bones. 

I don’t think anyone really sets out to be wasteful and squandering the deliciousness of a Thanksgiving turkey should be completely criminal.  Thus… the list.

1.  Turkey Sandwiches.  Need I say more?  There is hardly anything better than a sandwich piled high with savory roast turkey.

2.  Salad.  A lettuce salad loaded with fresh veggies (and turkey!) is a light (and delicious) way to atone for Thanksgiving gluttony the next day.


3.  Turkey & Noodles.  Use turkey stock (I like to thicken mine with cornstarch), season and add egg noodles.  Serve over leftover mashed potatoes.  Comfort food at it’s finest.


4.  Turkey Glop.  A friend told me about this idea a few years ago and it’s perfect!  Take all the leftovers:  stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkeys, gravy, corn, green bean casserole, etc and layer it in a casserole dish.  Heat in the oven and voila!  Turkey Glop.


5.  Turkey Enchiladas.  Turkey is a good alternative to almost any chicken recipe.  


6.  Sloppy Joes.  Shred leftover turkey and add your favorite sloppy joe sauce.


7.  Turkey Pot Pie.  One of my favorite comfort foods on a cold day.  Here is my favorite recipe:  Turkey Pot Pie.


8.  Turkey Tetrazzini.  Another of our family favorites.  This recipe from Martha Stewart is incredible and makes enough to freeze some for later:  Turkey Tetrazzini.  (I swap the chicken for turkey.)

9.  Freeze.  I purchased a 22-pound turkey.  There will be leftovers.  And some cold day in January, I will be thrilled to be feasting on roast turkey that I didn’t have to cook.

10.  Bill & Tutu.  Bill is my 80-something-year-old, next-door neighbor.  He lives alone.  And he has a teensy, puff ball dog named Tutu.  Come Thanksgiving day (and well into Christmas), he will be showered with our kitchen concoctions.  Always gracious and well-deserving.  We love you, Bill.

Our oak tree hanging on to the last of it’s leaves… Continue the coffee love by joining my facebook page: Blue Jeans & Coffee Beans. This post is a part of Frugal Tip Tuesday.

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