The New Year's dining table is always jam-packed. There is a long-held belief that the way we bring in the New Year sets the precedent for the entire year, hence the lavish, shiny, abundant feasts. But the next day there's always leftovers which we just don't know what to do with. Here you'll find several ideas about what to cook with your New Year's leftovers.
The most common leftovers from any bountiful New Year's dinner are the appetizers. All sausages, hams, cheeses, mushrooms, olives and tomatoes can easily become part of a nonstandard soup recipe. Put all of the chopped sausages in a pot with water and let boil for 15 min.
To your leftovers, you can also add mushrooms, tomatoes and pretty much whatever vegetables you have on hand. Pour the result into a bowl and sprinkle with feta cheese and olives. And now you have a salad that you can eat with a spoon.
Another option for your leftover appetizers is to make an easy pizza. Just spread out some ready-made dough, arrange the leftovers on top and it's ready. Arrange them in clay pots and sprinkle with feta and you've got yourself an irresistible delicacy.
After New Year's Eve, there's also lots of bread left over. No matter what form it's in - baked, fresh or slightly dried - cut the remaining slices into cubes. Put them in a bowl and sprinkle with paprika, salt, black pepper, savory and olive oil. Stir carefully. Lay out a small tray with baking paper and pour the pieces of bread in it. Put the tray in the oven and bake 20 min. at 340°F (170 °C), best if with the fan on. The result is spectacular and easy croutons for you to enjoy.
Folks also tend to stock up on lots of fruits for the upcoming celebrations - mandarins, kiwis, oranges, bananas, apples, etc. To prevent them from spoiling in the days after New Year's, your best bet is to cut them up into a fruit salad. But instead of pouring cream on top, the spirit of New Year's offers 2 appetizing proposals: maple syrup or a little rum. Then flambe. Your family will undoubtedly love the result.
If you have meatballs left over from the previous night's feasting, you can make meatballs with sauce to change things up. All you really need to do is prepare the sauce. You can prepare either a white one from braised flour with spices or broth or a tomato one like spaghetti sauce. Dip the meatballs in it and serve. Another option is to cut the meatballs up for sandwiches.
If you have chicken leftovers, you can use these for salads or to roll up sarma, or even prepare breaded meats, croquettes, pizzas and more. Blend vegetable and bean dish leftovers and make a tasty puree. If you have the large bones and heads of fish available, you can use them to prepare a broth to serve as the foundation of any vegetable soup.
