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I'm totally all about "traditional" when it comes to our annual Thanksgiving meal. For us it's always the same. I know traditional varies from one region of the country to another and each family has their own special "must haves". For us, it's turkey, stuffing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, gravy, great veggies and some yummy bread or dinner rolls. I'm in heaven with a dinner like this and give thanks with every fabulous bite.
But you know what? Once Thanksgiving Thursdays's come and gone, I'm ready to roll with something out of the ordinary. Something that will transform my humble turkey remains into another heavenly feast, this time a meal all dressed up in brand new clothes! Check out a few of our favorite recipes below. Some of them call for chicken, but turkey works just as well.
Turkey Tortilla Soup - so good my husband had three helpings!
 Chicken & Dumpling Soup - comfort food extraordinaire!
White Bean Chicken Chili - south of the border flavor along with lots of healthy veggies!
Roasted Red Pepper & Chicken Coconut Curry w/ Avocado-Mango Relish - an all time favorite here at The Café! It's not only loaded with fabulous flavor, it's healthy and quite hardy too, a meal in a bowl!
Arugula & Chicken Salad w/ Blackberries, Sweet Curried Pecans & Honey-Grapefruit Vinaigrette - so fresh and delicious! Use pomegranate arils, diced apples or orange slices in place of the blackberries, if desired. I have to say though, berries are a really fun, unexpected treat at this time of the year.
Balsamic Strawberry Pizza with Chicken, Sweet Onion and Applewood Smoked Bacon - I know, I said five recipes but I couldn't help myself. This is one of the all-time favorite recipes of Café readers. You only need a few pretty strawberries and it will put everyone in the most festive mood!
Have fun!!
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how could i forget the strawberry pizza? it is one of the most delicious that i've ever eaten! thx chris!
These are both fun and fab-love leftovers when they look like these!!!!
I would love a bowl of this right now and it's only 8:45 in the morning!
Chris, what an outstanding collection of recipes - one sounds better than the other. I do not think that I would be able to decide which one I like the best!
Terrific idea for a post, dear Chris!
You have created amazing dishes out of left overs. Each one of them looks great and so full of wonderful flavors! Hoping you had a great time with the family.
I'll take one of each!
These soups are perfect. We're supposed to be in the low teens towards the end of the week so soup and stews are a must! Thank you for sharing! Here's to a wonderful first week of December!
Tortilla soup is always a favorite, yum!
We do a traditional Thanksgiving too. And at least one round of traditional leftovers. But then it's on to new things! Terrific ideas - thanks.
Chris, would not want to take your leftovers; I have so much leftover turkey, and have made soup, and pot-pie with it...just not have the photos. (actually I do have photo of soup)...love your Tortilla soup version...still have some leftover bones and meat and would love to try your recipe, and link back to yours!
I can see, you also had a wonderful Thanksgiving! xo
What a gorgeous line-up for leftovers Chris! The pizza, the Tortilla soup, the chili are all amazing! Have a great week!
Very good ideas, Chris!! Looks really delicious!!
A big hug!
They all look very tempting! I love that salad the most.
Fabulous ideas.
Chicken and dumplings are definitely on my menu for some time soon! Happy Weekend:@)
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving Chris! It sure looks like you did!. I'm a traditionalist too. But I'm always trying to be creative with the leftovers. Thanks for such fabulous ideas! (And that strawberry chicken pizza was one of my all time favorites! : )
I do believe that I could eat a helping of eat one....soup with a side of pizza! Your soups sound like the perfect answer to using up leftovers!
Uh oh...cannot find the Turkey Tortilla Soup recipe. They all look delicious.
Thanks so much Susan, got it fixed! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!