Party Leftovers

As summer ends and leaves begin to fall, thoughts turn from swimming and boating to parties and winter holidays.  Here are some ideas of what to do with leftover appetizers and items from holiday buffets and relish trays.

Devilled eggs – mash for egg salad or dice into tuna salad, macaroni salad or or potato salad

Dill or sweet pickles – use on hamburgers, dice into potato or tuna salad,  Sweet pickles can also be minced and added to a jar of sweet relishto serve with burgers or hot dogs.

Ham, chicken or turkey – cut in strips for chef salad, use in stir fries and casseroles, or dice to use in sandwich spreads

Raw vegetables – cut into salads, add to soups or stews or use in stir fries.  Can also be pureed and added to meatloaf.

Olives – use in pasta salad, slice into pasta sauces or shred into softened cream cheese for dips and sandwich spreads

Fruit – Use in fruit smoothies or shakes, cook and add to pie filling,  dice into muffin batter or pancakes, use peaches, pears or pineapple with yogurt or cottage cheese, make frozen grapes, banana slices or melon balls for dessert