The Heart of the Table | Seasons & Celebrations

The Art of the Post-Holiday Feast

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I try to reduce food waste with my lovingly prepared holiday meals where possible, and I’m sure you’ll agree that it feels good to create new dishes instead of simply discarding remnants. Freezing leftover turkey and sides will extend the life of your provisions, but creating entirely new foundations for future dishes is an absolute art form.

November 29th is quietly observed as "Throw Out Your Leftovers Day" and I boldly say: repurpose what you can safely and deliciously! The Monte Cristo sandwich is a sweet-meets-savory classic that’s so universally loved, it’s been anchored on Disneyland’s Blue Bayou menus since 1966.

The Morning After

Morning Light in the Dining Room

My recipe calls for thick-cut turkey and ham – or simply whatever remnants you have from the carving station – generous amounts of sweet cranberry sauce, and thick slices of melting Muenster cheese. Creating the thermal crust in a smoking hot cast iron skillet is the absolute secret to achieving the perfect bite.

As the sunlight streams through the dining room the morning after your massive gathering, serve these towering crusted sandwiches alongside a strong pot of coffee. Who says you can’t transform those last scraps into an elegant, restorative feast?

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