Saturday Share Recipe - Hot Pot Medley

Do you still have Thanksgiving leftover turkey, ham, or roast beef in the fridge?

You served leftovers yesterday. Today you may make sandwiches, stew, or chowder, but there will still be leftover meat hanging out in the fridge?

Don't despair, and don't throw it out because you're already tired of eating it.

The best thing about leftovers is that they can be transformed into something new and delicious.

Here's a recipe that's a quadruple threat: (1) it uses leftover meat (2) it tastes delicious (3) it's easy to make (4) it can be prepared, frozen, and defrosted at a future date when you want a hot meal but you're too tired to cook.

Hot Pot Medley (Serves 6-8)

Ingredients - Meat

2 cups turkey, ham, or beef, trimmed and diced

Ingredients - Vegetables

1 medium to large onion, diced

2 carrots, sliced

1 -2 stalks celery (depends on how well you like celery) sliced

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon ground bllack pepper

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/8 teaspoon Tabasco (only is you like it spicy)

3 sliced potatoes (like you'd cut for scalloped potatoes)

Ingredients - Liquid 

1 1/2 - 2 cups leftover gravy for turkey or beef. For ham, use a cheese sauce, bechamel, or mushroom sauce. You can use cream condensed soup mixed with milk if you don't object to those or an Organic Alfredo Sauce mix.

Not enough leftover gravy? Make more using a mix like Organic Turkey Gravy Mix or the beef version from Amazon.

Directions

(1) Spray a casserole dish with a baking spray or butter the dish.

(2) Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit (approximately 177 Celsius).

(3) In a large bowl, mix the meat and vegetables—except potatoes—together.

(4) Sprinkle the seasonings over the mixture and pour into the prepared baking dish.

(5) Layer the thinly-sliced potatoes over the top of th mixture

(6) Pour the gravy over everything in the dish.

(7) Bake at 350 Fahrenheit (approximately 177 Celsius) for 35 minutes.

By the way, I have fancy baking dishes, but I usually use the plain glass ones with snap-on plastic tops like the ones shown here.

They're rectangular and take up less space than round ones, and they go from freezer to oven (but not the lids!!) and are dishwasher safe. Since they're clear, I can also see when the sauce begins "bubbling" while baking.

Amazon has this 8-piece set on a Cyber Monday deal. The set with plain gray top is around $35. The colored tops cost a little more.

To Freeze for Later Baking

(1) Put the whole thing together except for the potato layer and the gravy or sauce.

(2) Place the dish into a freezer storage bag or use heavy duty aluminum foil to wrap completely around the dish and seal the foil properly. Also freeze the leftover gravy if that's what you're using for the liquid component.

(3)  When ready to serve it, thaw and remove the dish and the sauce.

(4) Place sliced potatoes on top, pour the gravy or sauce you've made over the potatoes.

(5) Bake as directed above.

Takeaway Truth

Leftovers are a great thing for a busy cook. A little time space from the original serving of the item and a little transformation make for a great new meal.

A 99¢ Escape

If you're tired and need a break, grab a copy of a romantic comedy that's on sale until the end of November.

JUST ONE LOOK (a KU free read for subscribers) will make you smile and lift your spirits.

Joan participates in Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, affiliate advertising designed to help websites earn advertising fees by linking to products on Amazon. If you click links in her post, she may receive a small commision at no extra cost to you.

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