Plan for leftovers

Give Thanksgiving turkey an encore with delicious dishes

Here are great ways to serve leftover turkey. The first is a one pot meal — a hearty casserole of turkey, mushrooms and pasta with a light touch. The pasta cooks right in the sauce. Serve it in the casserole dish right from the stove. All you need is a tossed salad to complete the meal. Add any leftover vegetables you have on hand to the salad.

You can also turn your leftovers into a family-pleasing sandwich supper. This new twist on a turkey sandwich is so simple to make that I use it anytime I have leftover turkey or chicken.

TURKEY SKILLET CASSEROLE

10 oz. cooked turkey breast, skin removed

Olive oil spray

1 c. chopped onion

2 medium garlic cloves, crushed

1/4 c. low-fat, low-sodium pasta sauce

1 c. water

2 c. sliced portobello mushrooms

2 oz. whole wheat linguine, broken into 4- to 5-inch pieces

Salt and freshly ground black pepper N c. reduced-fat, shredded, sharp cheddar cheese

2 T. reduced-fat sour cream

Cut turkey into N- to K- inch pieces. Heat a nonstick skillet over mediumhigh heat and spray with olive oil spray. Add onion and garlic. Saute 3 minutes. Add the turkey, pasta sauce, water, mushrooms and pasta. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir to mix well. Bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with a lid and cook, stirring once or twice, until the pasta is cooked, about 15 minutes. Add a little more water if sauce is dry before pasta is cooked. Remove from the heat and sprinkle the cheese on top. Spoon sour cream over cheese. Serves 2. (Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer.)

TOASTED TURKEY CRANBERRY SANDWICH

4 slices multigrain bread

N c. cranberry sauce

2 T. Dijon mustard

K lb. cooked, sliced turkey breast 2 slices brie cheese (about 2 oz.) 4 lettuce leaves

4 slices tomatoes

Toast bread. Mix cranberry sauce and mustard together. Place bread on counter top and spread each slice with cranberry sauce mixture.

Divide the turkey into 2 portions and place on 2 bread slices. Place brie on top of the turkey. Add lettuce leaves and then tomatoes.

Cover with the 2 remaining bread slices, cranberry mixture towards the inside of the sandwich.

Carefully, cut sandwiches in half. Serves 2.

(Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer.)

Tns pHotos CHANGE OF PACE: Serve up Turkey Skillet Casserole with a tossed salad to help use up your leftover turkey.

KICK IT UP: Mixing cranberry sauce with Dijon mustard makes a tangy sandwich spread for leftover turkey or chicken.