Innovative recipes to spice up your post-Christmas meals

Christmas dinner is one of the highlights of the festive season but leftovers can be as delicious as the main event. If you’re bored of turkey, or tofurkey, sandwiches then these two treats will keep you and your family happy this Christmas.

Finding something different to do with the copious amounts of leftovers can be hard but there’s some simple recipes from Napolina and Trex that will have everyone wanting seconds. These are easy minimal difficulty dishes so if you’re worn out from all the Christmas fun you can still make these with ease.

Gnocchi and turkey bake

First up is a gnocchi and turkey bake which can be made with all your turkey leftovers or substitute with chicken or other meat. Gnocchi is a potato based dumpling from Italy, similar to pasta, and is a fun alternative to your traditional pasta bakes.

This quick recipe from Napolina takes 35 minutes to make and serves four people. The great thing about a bake is it can be easily adapted to serve larger numbers of guests if you’re hosting a post-Christmas gathering.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 1 red pepper chopped
• 1 garlic clove crushed
• 200g diced turkey
• 1 can of chopped tomatoes
• 1 pack of Gnocchi
• A handful of torn basil
• 1 ball of mozzarella sliced

Method:

1. Heat the grill to high.

2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then soften the chopped onion and chopped red pepper for a few minutes.

3. Pop in the diced turkey and fry for another few minutes until it starts to colour.

4. Stir in the crushed garlic clove, fry for 1 min, tip in the chopped tomatoes and the gnocchi, then bring to a simmer.

5. Bubble for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gnocchi is soft and the sauce has thickened.

6. Season, stir through the torn basil leaves, then transfer to a large ovenproof dish.

7. Top with sliced mozzarella, then grill for 5-6 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden.

8. Serve immediately.

Cheddar, roasted seed and carrot savoury squares

Veggies are not forgotten as you’re likely to have plenty leftover. These squares from Trex are perfect as a healthy snack or can be made into a lunch time meal to detox from the Christmas dinner.

The recipe takes 40 minutes to bake and can be eaten hot or cold. Trex says this can make 12 squares but you can make more by cutting smaller snack sized pieces to grab when you need a break from chocolate.

Ingredients:

• 70g Trex
• 15g Butter
• 150g Rolled oats
• ½ tsp Salt
• 200g Grated carrot
• 70g Mixed seeds
• 40g Hazelnuts or almonds, chopped
• 150g Grated Cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tsp Chopped fresh thyme or rosemary
• 1 tsp Mixed dried Italian herbs
• 2 Large eggs, beaten

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan oven 180°C/Gas Mark 6.

2. Melt the TREX and butter in a large saucepan, taking care that they don’t get too hot. Remove from the heat and stir in the rolled oats, salt and grated carrot.

3. Add the mixed seeds and nuts with the Cheddar cheese.

4. Season with salt and pepper and add the fresh and dried herbs.

5. Stir in the beaten eggs, mixing thoroughly.

6. Spoon the mixture into a 12-hole individual tray bake tin, levelling the tops. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until set and golden.

7. Cool in the tin for about 10 minutes, then ease out and cool completely on a wire rack. Alternatively, bake in a 23cm square baking tin and cut into pieces when cooled.

8. Cook’s tip: Omit the nuts if you prefer, and add another 40g of mixed seeds.