Thanksgiving leftovers: How to turn them into new meals

Friday, November 24, 2017
Fairfax District chef share creative ideas for Thanksgiving leftovers
Taking last nights dinner and turning out new meals that are tasty and nutritious is what Marcel Vigneron of Wolf likes to do.

FAIRFAX DISTRICT, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- After a big Thanksgiving dinner, it might be time to give your stomach a little digestive rest. So chef Marcel Vigneron of Wolf restaurant suggests you start your day with a smoothie! Try one made with left over yam or sweet potatoes.

"One scoop of plant-based protein powder, put our banana right in there, some raspberries let's do some strawberries too," said Vigneron.

Blend those sweet orange spuds up with almond milk and you've got a thick, sweet and creamy breakfast that is quite filling and nutritious.

"So when you're sick of mash potatoes and you're trying to come up with a fun way to re-create the leftovers. We're going to do a little potatoes leek soup.

Sauté onions, celery and leeks together, sweat till nice and tender," he said.

Then add potatoes milk and heavy cream or chicken broth if you're trying to lighten the load. Blend it or keep it chunky according to your palate. Season with pepper and chives.

One great idea, chef Vigneron takes pretty much everything you've had on the table and puts it one dish, in Shepherd's Pie.

"The aftermath of Thanksgiving. We've got our stuffing, we've got our turkey we've got some mash potatoes," recited Vigneron.

He makes a bottom crust with stuffing, then layers turkey, veggies, tops with the mashed potatoes- plus a good amount of breadcrumbs and cheese for a one-dish hearty meal that will knock out those leftovers.

And if by chance you'd rather dine at Wolf instead of home, he's aiming to clean his larder out too.

"We have the leftovers that aren't leftovers. For an additional $15 you can get turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry all the fixings. So that way when you go home you still have a little something to eat," said Vigneron.