We’ve had three days of non-stop cooking and eating around here, much to the delight of my family, who generally must endure my preference for eating out. Due to the cool and rainy weather, we are really enjoying being houserats, munching on what we can and making lots of goodies. Yesterday, we watched a great movie with hot chocolate and popcorn, made two recipes of pecan pralines and a wonderful turkey salad and baked potato soup with all the goodies on top. Today, I am making this tortilla soup after I finish my apple walnut cake and coffee. I can’t wait to get on the scale.
I saw where several of you made turkeys for your family if you were going somewhere else for Thanksgiving. How do you use your leftovers? We’ve been successfully creative this year so I have three suggestions for your turkey. The first is my friend, Carole’s recipe for a very good turkey salad; the second is my friend Trisha’s famous Chicken Tortilla Soup, which I make with smoked turkey; the third is to tell your turkey to go watch football. Okay, I shouldn’t write before my first cup of coffee. Sorry about that. Here are the recipes. Bon Appetit.
2 cups chopped turkey or chicken
2 cups chopped celery
1 cucumber, seeded and chopped
1-2 cups cilantro, chopped with stems removed
1 cup mayonnaise
Mix all ingredients together and serve with crackers or on whole grain bread. (I toasted some nine grain bread yesterday that had whole seeds in it and made sandwiches with the salad and endive leaves–mm-mm.)
Chicken Tortilla Soup
2 chicken breasts, boiled, diced, cooked in chicken broth
1 onion, sautéed
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 tsp. cumin
1 can beef broth
1 tsp. Chili powder
Garnishes
Slices of lime
Chopped cilantro
Diced avocado
Diced tomato
Round tortilla chips
Shredded Jack cheese
Mix all together and cook for 30-45 minutes. Serve with sliced lime, cilantro, chopped avocado, diced tomato, and a small handful of chips. Top off with shredded cheese, and enjoy.
annette geffert 
Jean I love the idea of a buffet with turkey buns. We do that too with leftover rolls.
Angie, I was afraid Ro-Tel tomatoes might be a local item. And cilantro is also called coriander–big in Thai and Mexican food. You either love it or you hate it. I happen to love it. The potato soup recipe I will be happy to send also–just basic but comfort food for a day like today. I’m starting another pot of coffee in the afternoon which I almost never do. Can’t wait to go read about how the portrait went. We didn’t get one yet which means we will be later getting out our Christmas cards. I’m just about to go read the issue of Cooking Light! love, a
We just make boring turkey sandwiches. I wish I would have read this yesterday! We are going out tonight for a good old fashioned steak dinner before the kids both leave tomorrow. They both look great. I don’t usually buy cilantro, but it looks like I better start! I will make your soup for sure! What are Rotel tomatoes? Oh, and please share your baked potato soup recipe too? I love soup especially on these cold, snowy days! Your 3rd recipe was probably my favorite. Oh, wait… did I say that? Oops!
Love,
Angie xoxo
Hi! Just came across your blog today, and I wanted to let you know about a new giveaway I’m hosting this week! Come check it out! Thanks! Have a good weekend!
Annie, we have a tradition that on Dec. 27th, all the food is put out buffet style.People can heat plates selecting from ham or turkey or roast beef with all the trimmings.
Turkey buns are a favorite. I make a thick turkey soup and try to make one casserole. We should have 10 at the table this year so I may cook one turkey and a separate turkey breast.