Leftover turkey is great in a sandwich or reheated and smothered in gravy, but sometimes a little change is nice. These easy and delicious appetizer recipes are perfect for guests who drop by the day after the holiday.
Turkey Antipasto
According to Craig Claiborne in the New York Times Food Encyclopedia, antipasto means “before the food”, or loosely translated, appetizer. This Turkey Antipasto recipe is light, crunchy and delicious, and works well as an appetizer or side dish, and even a quick lunch.
Ingredients
- 1 can (15.5 ounces) Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 ½ cups cooked turkey, chopped
- 1 cup favorite cheese, cubed
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced and chopped
- 1 can (8 ounces) water chestnuts, drained and sliced
- ½ cup pimento-stuffed olives, sliced
- ¼ cup prepared Italian or Caesar salad dressing
Place beans, turkey, cheese, red onion, water chestnuts and olives in a large bowl. Toss with salad dressing to coat. Cover and chill well. Toss again before serving. Makes about 5 cups.
If you can’t find Great Northern beans, Cannellini beans will work fine. Also, with respect to cheese, this recipe is very flexible so use whatever you like best; Cheddar and feta both work well and impart a very different flavor to the salad depending on which you use.
Curried Turkey Appetizers
Commercially available curry powders vary, but generally include turmeric, coriander, cumin and fenugreek, with other ingredients added to the taste of the manufacturer. Curry and turkey compliment each other and provide a unique flavor to this warm and savory appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked turkey, shredded or chopped fine
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ¼ teaspoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 package (8 ounces) dairy case ready-to-bake crescent rolls
Preheat over to 375°F. In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, curry powder and lemon juice with a fork until well blended; stir in turkey and set aside. Separate crescent roll triangles; cut in half to form two smaller triangles (they will be unevenly shaped). Place about 1 teaspoon of the turkey mixture in the center of each triangle. Fold crescent roll corners up over the top of the turkey mixture so they overlap to form little bundles. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet until folder brown, about 12 minutes. Makes 16 appetizers.
Tip: You can make the turkey filling ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to wrap and bake the appetizers.
For more delicious ways to use holiday leftovers, see Recipes for Turkey Leftovers and Leftover Christmas Turkey Recipes.
Sources: Recipes modified with permission from Gobbling Again!, published in 1995 by Pepperberry Publications, Northampton, Massachusetts.
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