Thanksgiving Leftovers for the Serious Shopper

Fast forward to the day after Thanksgiving, and you’ve spent the last 48 hours (which felt like years) slaving over a hot stove preparing your turkey day feast. Well, the big day is over and you deserve a much needed cooking break. But, that doesn’t mean you need to spend the next 3 days in a monotonous cycle eating the same old leftovers and feeling like a stuffed turkey yourself. Here are a couple healthy and, most importantly, EASY dishes to spice up your post Thanksgiving meals and perhaps even slim down your waist.

There is no measuring, cutting, prepping, or stressing required. These are ‘non-recipe’ recipes, and they are meant to make a couple delicious meals out of whatever you have leftover. Throw a little of this and a little of that together using our guidelines, and you will have the easiest and most unique Thanksgiving leftover dishes to enjoy…before and after hitting the sales, of course. And, the best part? These recipes still allow you to stay on track with your Nutritious Life!

Black Friday Frittata:
• 3 eggs white, 1 whole egg (DHA fortified)
• Roasted vegetables: butternut squash, brussels sprouts, tomatoes (any vegetables will do)
• 2 ounces protein: turkey or ham (any leftovers will do)
• Fresh herbs: tarragon, sage, thyme (whatever you have on hand)
• Salt and pepper to taste

A frittata is just a fancy name for a messy omelet. There is no strict recipe for this “eggcellent” creation. You just must have fun and get in those good-for-you ingredients! So, don’t get caught up in nitty gritty cooking techniques, just add all of the roasted vegetables, even those Brussels sprouts, and some lean protein you have leftover. The Brussels sprouts are packed with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, which helps support your immune system, and even boost collagen production in your skin. The protein from the eggs and turkey (or whatever protein you choose) will keep you satisfied through an entire department store hunt – there will be no dropping post shopping with this meal!

Method: After you have beaten the eggs with herbs, transfer your mixture to a skillet. Cook for 5 minutes then mix in your roasted vegetables and protein. Transfer from stovetop to oven (350 degrees). Bake the frittata for another 10 minutes until the eggs are no longer runny. Top with more fresh herbs and enjoy!

Gobble Gobble Pizza:
• Leftover turkey breast
• Whole wheat pizza dough (already prepared is fine)
• Cranberry sauce
• Brussels sprouts, beets, sweet potatoes, etc. (any leftover veggies)
• 2 ounces parmesan cheese
• Fresh Herbs: tarragon, sage, thyme (whatever you have on hand)

Pizza gone Pilgrim-style, with this new twist on an Italian classic. The cranberry sauce takes the place of the tomato base, and the whole wheat pizza crust gives you about 6 more grams of fiber than regular pizza dough, keeping you full long enough to wait out those shopping lines. Bake your creation according to the instructions on your whole wheat pizza dough. Exhausted after a day of shopping? No problem—this recipe is kid-friendly, so let the little ones do all the work!

Nationally recognized nutrition expert and published author Keri Glassman is the founder and president of Keri Glassman, Nutritious Life, a nutrition practice based in New York City.  For years, Keri has been a leader in advancing a “whole person” approach to health and wellness.  She has dedicated her career to creating services and promoting education through her Nutritious Life brand.  She has authored two books; the most recent is The O2 Diet. The Cutting Edge, Antioxidant-Based Program That Will Make You Healthy, Thin and Beautiful. (Rodale, December 2009.) This book translates complex scientific research on antioxidants and the ORAC scale into useful and usable tools that everyone can benefit from. It empowers people to live a more Nutritious Life by combining a nutrient dense, high antioxidant diet with the other components of a Nutritious Life. The O2 Diet follows the Snack Factor Diet, (Crown, 2007.) Keri is a contributing editor and advisory board member for Women’s Health Magazine, and was the first registered dietitian to create a real food based snack bar, KeriBar. Additionally, Keri is the Nutrition and Health contributor for NBC’s New York Live, and is regularly featured on national television programs including NBC’s The Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, Access Hollywood Live, The View, Dr. Oz, The Doctors, The Wendy Williams Show, MSNBC and The Fox News Channel. Keri resides in New York City with her children, Rex and Maizy.

Chef Dana Slatkin and Her Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes

I met Dana Slatkin on a recent trip to LA through our children who go to summer camp together. I soon learned that Dana was a well-known chef in LA and her family owned a posh boutique hotel called Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, CA. Shutters is one of my all time favorite luxury hotels known for its low-key atmosphere and delicious farmer’s market-fresh meals. Dana was inspired to write her first cookbook, Summertime Anytime, by requests for the recipes from friends, family and guests. I love her cookbook so much and asked Dana if I could share some of her holiday dishes. Here are some festive Fall recipes below that are perfect for Thanksgiving or a holiday soiree:

Pumpkin Pie Champagne Cocktails with Toasted Marshmallows: (6 cocktails)

Cinnamon sugar
1 wedge of orange
1 bottle of dry champagne or California sparkling wine
6 ounces Monin Pumpkin Spice or Gingerbread Spice Syrup
6 large marshmallows (I love the handmade, cubical ones from Little Flower Baking Company)
Decorative skewers

1. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of cinnamon sugar onto a small plate. Rim a chilled champagne flute with the orange wedge. Then dip the flute into the cinnamon sugar to coat the rim.

2. Pour up to 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of syrup into each of the flutes. Fill with champagne.

3. Toast marshmallows over an open flame to desired doneness. Place on skewers and garnish each cocktail.

Sauteed Spinach with Porcini-Truffle Powder: (Serves 6)

1 cup dried porcini or shiitake mushrooms
1 teaspoon truffle salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1-1/2 pounds fresh spinach leaves, washed and dried well
A few drops of truffle oil

1. Place the dried mushrooms in a spice grinder or blender and process to the consistency of coarse dust (you will get about 1/2 cup of mushroom powder). Transfer to a small bowl and stir in the truffle salt.

2. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant and just beginning to brown (a minute or two). Add the spinach and stir until coated.

3. Cover the pot and cook for 2 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted. Remove the cover and continue cooking until the liquid has mostly evaporated.

4. Sprinkle the spinach lightly with mushroom-truffle powder. Mound onto a serving platter, drizzle with the truffle oil, and dust again with additional mushroom-truffle powder. Store the leftover powder in an air-tight container for the next time (It will hold for months).

French Apple Pie: (Serves 8 )

1 prepared frozen pie crust, preferably whole-wheat

8 large Granny Smith apples (or combination of Granny Smith plus McIntosh or Gala), peeled, cored (I use a melon baler for this), and sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 lemon (squeeze over the apples as you slice them)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup melted butter (optional)
1 generous teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons cold butter or margarine, cut into small cubes

Vanilla ice cream for serving

1. Preheat the oven to 425° F.

2. Prepare the apple or blueberry filling: In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and allow to macerate for 15 minutes.

3. Prepare the streusel: In a food processor, mix the dry ingredients. Add the butter and pulse the machine to incorporate. The texture should be like coarse crumbs.

4. Fill the prepared pie crust with the fruit and juices, pressing down gently to accommodate all the filling (it will cook down during baking). Spread the streusel over the entire pie.

5. Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350° F and continue baking for another 60 minutes, until the filling bubbles and the streusel is golden brown. If necessary, cover the crust and pie loosely with foil to prevent over-browning.

6. Remove the pie from the oven and cool on a rack for at least two hours before serving. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

More Recipes:

Sweet Potato Coconut Crumble
Cranberry Raspberry Relish
Butternut Squash Soup

Dana Slatkin is a chef, consultant and culinary teacher.  After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, Dana completed a two-year program at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, winning several awards and graduating at the top of her class.  She trained in France with Michelin Three-Star chefs Georges Blanc and Michel Guerard and with renowned patissier Pierre Hermé at Fauchon.  After cooking in New York City at Bouley, Dana moved to Los Angeles to become General Manager at L’Orangerie, one of the city’s most highly regarded formal restaurants.  In 1994, seeing a need to engage her local community, she launched the Beverly Hills Farmers Market, which became the inspiration for her own line of food products. Her Danabelle’s Oven-Fresh Scones, Veggibles and Fruitles won awards at the International Fancy Food Show and sold to supermarkets and airline companies for nearly a decade. Dana currently lives with her husband and three children in Los Angeles.  In addition to consulting for food companies on new product development, Dana teaches popular cooking classes to children and adults.  She especially enjoys combining cooking and philanthropy for a variety of children’s causes.  She is a founding member of Everychild Foundation and concert classical pianist. Her first cookbook, Summertime Anytime, was published in the Spring of 2008 by Clarkson Potter.

Image Credit: mamiofmultiples.com

You Are My Candy Girls . . . And Boy!

Halloween is finally here, and after scouring through our mother’s photographs, we have compiled our favorite childhood costumes. From rock stars to princesses to genies, we at PageDaily appreciate the glitz and glamour of the holiday! What’s more fun than dressing up? Oh, well . . . maybe snacking on some sweets. Read all about our favorite candy! Happy Halloween from everyone at PageDaily!

Melissa Meyers, Founding Editor
I’m having a really hard time with this. I only eat healthy. But I suppose if you threatened to take away my Blackberry, I’d go with Reese’s.

Nancy Rotenier, Editor-in-Chief
It’s all about Baby Ruth. And Snickers. And 100,000 Grand. And Butterfinger. And candy corn. And and and. . . (please refer to my recent confessional blog post about my not-so-grownup eating habits!). My son said it best: “Mommy, all my teeth are sweet teeth.”

Dania Slochowski, Production Manager
Twix. Why? Because candy with too much caramel hurts your teeth. But Twix has a cookie in it, which adds the crisp and makes the perfect mix. It’s just right. 😉 And the mini ones are even better because you eat more and feel like you ate less!!!

Daniela Apeloig, Lifestyle Editor
Dove Chocolates OF COURSE! They come in the perfect portion, one square, perfect for the sweet tooth you need after the meals. Plus they have cute messages in the foil paper they are wrapped with that brighten your day.

Lindsay Leff, Assistant Beauty Editor
When I think of the most absolutely, deliciously perfect Halloween candy, it must consist of two things – peanut butter and chocolate. My obvious choice, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures! The best part, they’re bite size, so I can keep popping them without getting full…or maybe that’s bad?

Katrina Caspelich, Assistant Fashion Editor
Each year, I look forward to Easter—Cadbury Mini Eggs Easter Chocolate is hands down my favorite candy, so much so that I tend to finish an entire bag myself. There’s something so addictive about the crunchy, sugar shell and the smooth, chocolaty center. Definitely a match made in heaven.

Lindsay Hahn, Video Production Associate
Wait…I have to pick just one? Everyone at PageDaily can vouch that my sweet tooth does not discriminate between tasty treats! The proof is in my Top 5 Sweet Treats You Have To Try. If I had to choose just one though I would have to say Peanut M&Ms!

Colleen Hagerty, Video Production Associate
Favorite candy?! It really changes all the time, though I have to say right now I’m loving the secret stash of mini Reeses and Blowpops in my apartment.

Olivia Hayes, Office Manager
When I was a kid, I didn’t care about candy when I went trick or treating. Instead I would ask if the person had a dog, and if they did, I would ask to play with it. My mother was always mortified. My love for dogs started early. Now, I would have to say Cadbury fruit and nut tops my list.

Andrew Betsch, Videographer
Cherryheads, the most overlooked and underappreciated of Ferrara Pan’s delectable offerings.

Will Hall, Copy Editor
I’m a big fan of SweetTarts, those delicious little things that make you scrunch up your mouth as if you just bit into a lemon.

Kate Bryan, Social Media Intern
The little mini boxes of Junior Mints have got to be my favorite Halloween candy, so much so that I just bought a giant bag of them at the drug store despite the fact that we will clearly not get any trick-or-treaters at my apartment. I guess I’ll just have to eat them all myself!

Kimberly Hedmark, Marketing Intern
My all-time favorite Halloween candy is Reese’s because it is made of my two favorite things in life-chocolate and peanut butter. They have been, and always will be my weakness.

Noelle Mihalinec, Broadcast Intern
My favorite candy is York peppermint patties. I absolutely love the taste of mint and chocolate, it also leaves my breathe fresh. It has less calories than regular chocolate so if I eat more than three its okay!

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Holiday Gifts for Him, Her and the Kids

For the naughty, the nice and everyone in between, you need gifts. Here are some of our favorites, guaranteed to please.

	Powermat The future is now . . . and it’s wireless. Kiss those hard to find chargers and their ugly wires good-bye with the Powermat, which lets us wirelessly charge our gadgets—from the iPod to the Blackberry—in one convenient location. And with its sleek black design, the Powermat is as attractive as it is cool. Price: $99.99 Purchase Powermat
	Joe Grooming Know a guy as into products as you are? Or one who needs a little spiffing up? Give these Joe Grooming products for men’s hair and skin care. From the thickening shampoo to the exfoliating scrub, the men on your list will love the organic ingredients—and the results! Price: $3.75–$28.50 Special: Receive a 20% discount with promo code askmelissa. Valid through 2010. Purchase Joe Grooming
	Bib Necklace Forget deck the halls. Deck someone you love in this necklace that looks like a million bucks, without the matching price tag. Bib necklaces are all the rage this season, and we’re drooling over this one—which comes in several glamorous shades—from Candi Stamm, our favorite jewelry source. We may just need to stuff one in our own stocking! Price: $56.00 Special: The necklace is $50 for AskMelissa subscribers. Purchase: Call Candi Stamm, 917.566.5033, to order.
	Sonia Kashuk Holiday Collection Nothing says holiday like a little sparkle! We love the Sonia Kashuk Holiday Collection so much we can’t pick just one. Choose from among brush sets, makeup and cases. Give one or give them all, the ladies on your list will be thrilled to ring in 2010 in style! Glitz & Glam Brush Set, $12.99 Twist of Fate Brush Set , $19.99 Beauty Junkie Cosmetic Bag , $12.99 Twist & Shout Brush , $12.99 Classic Palette Makeup and Brush Set , $19.99 Starry Eyes Eye Palette , $14.99
	LEGO Alarm Clock This LEGO Alarm Clock is sure to make the child on your gift list wake up with a smile. The clock—with a digital display, snooze button and AM/FM radio—looks just like a LEGO brick. You can even stack it on the LEGO Boombox to make your own LEGO creation. Price: $29.99 Purchase LEGO Alarm Clock
	Invisibelt Girl The fashionable yet functional belt for girls ages 5 to 15. The adjustable Invisibelt Girl comes in trendy colors and patterns while eliminating the dreaded buckle bulge. Easy to wear with jeans, skirts, leggings and more, this belt is the perfect stocking stuffer for the young fashionistas on your list! Price: $16.00 Special: Receive a 20% discount with promo code 09ASK20. Valid through December 31. Purchase Invisibelt Girl
	Aerial7 Headphones Channel your inner DJ by giving these fashion-forward headphones from Aerial7. The headphones provide crisp highs and deep lows, ensuring that all music is heard as it should be. And with colors from orange and blue to neon green and yellow, the hipster on your list will shout out a big thanks. Price: $39.99–$79.99 Special: Receive a 15% discount with promo code askmelissa. Valid through December 31. Purchase Aerial7 Headphones
	Pat Says Now Computer Mice Perfect for any workaholic (or just your average Facebook fiend), these cheeky mice make a great gift for all. With plug and play convenience—and no mouse ball—they work on virtually any surface and can be used right out of the box. We love the polka dot and hot rod styles, but all work well for clicking on AskMelissa.com! Price: $19.99 Purchase Pat Says Now Computer Mice
	LOVE Wool Pillow Covers Feel the love this holiday with these gorgeous pillows handmade in Nepal from 100% felted wool. The company, Fabricadabra, only uses small manufacturers that treat and pay women fairly. That’s the spirit, holiday or anytime! Price: $45.00 Special: Receive a 20% discount with promo code AskMelissa. Valid through December 31. Purchase LOVE Wool Pillow Covers