7 Easy And Delicious Recipes For Christmas Leftovers

Toys are strewn across the house, more than a few wine bottles are empty, and you cooked enough food to feed an army. So do you simply pack it all in storage containers to reheat? Or do you use some of the dishes from your Christmas feast in totally new dishes?

We have some ideas that can transform your dinner leftovers into something new and tasty, leaving you more time to spend with family and friends.

Grilled ham and cheese sandwich

Use your favorite cheese like Swiss, gouda, or gruyere. Add a fried egg for a filling breakfast, or pair leftover cranberries with ham and brie.

Ham and split-pea soup

Here's a simple recipe from the Food Network. When serving, spoon a small amount of leftover mashed potatoes in your bowl and ladle the soup on top. The potatoes add creaminess and heartiness to the soup.

Egg scramble or omelette

Use up remaining vegetables from your feast. When the eggs are almost done, grate some fresh parmesan on top for extra cheesy goodness.

Egg, asparagus and ham tart

Taste.com.au has a mouth-watering recipe for an Egg, Asparagus and Ham Tart to start off Boxing Day, as Dec. 26 is known in Canada. You’ll use pita bread for this, as well as fresh ricotta.

Salad with diced ham or shredded beef

Toss in any nuts like walnuts, almonds, or pecans remaining from your holiday baking and some cheese such as blue or gorgonzola. Drizzle light vinaigrette on top. Basic vinaigrette is generally three parts vegetable oil to one part vinegar. You can use a variety of vinegars like white wine, sherry, or balsamic. Incorporate lemon juice, garlic, shallots, or a touch of Dijon mustard for extra flavor.

Mocha Chocolate à la Paris

Here’s a great one from Health.com. Instead of eating all those gourmet chocolates that were in your stocking, add them to a coffee drink for your guests. Any bittersweet dark chocolates will work for Mocha Chocolate à la Paris.

Deviled eggs

Finely diced up ham adds saltiness and texture. A trick to get a perfectly boiled egg is to make sure your pot is big enough for the eggs, starting off with cold water that covers the eggs by an inch, put the lid on and as soon as the water boils, then removing the eggs from the heat. Keep the lid on from 12-16 minutes, depending on the size of the eggs. Use older eggs, which peel easier. Once your eggs are peeled, slice them in half lengthwise. Spoon out the yolks into a small mixing bowl. For six eggs, add in about two tablespoons of ham, a quarter cup of mayonnaise, a touch of spicy brown mustard and paprika, a splash of white vinegar (you can try champagne or white wine vinegar as well), salt and pepper. Mix well and spoon even portions of the mixture back into the eggs. Let the eggs chill in the refrigerator before serving.

Leftover candy canes

Use candy canes for a special topping on a sweet treat. Gather them and your kids up to make a red and white twist on the usual Rice Krispy treats. To crush the canes, put them in a plastic baggie and use a rolling pin and/or a pan. Make the treats like usual, but add the candy cane bits along with the Rice Krispies.

— Patch Editor Beth Dalbey contributed to this story.

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