Christmas leftovers meet Italian flair: Three recipes to reinvent festive staples
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Christmas meets Italian flair in these recipes that turn festive leftovers into bold, satisfying dishes. From turkey meatballs to cacciatore-style chicken, here’s how to reinvent your festive staples with ease. Christmas and Italianfood may not seem like the most obvious pairing, but they share one vital thing in common: both are about abundance. From the overloaded festive table to the multi-course Italian feast, the focus is firmly on feeding, sharing and enjoying. And with that abundance inevitably comes leftovers – but this doesn’t mean boring repeats of turkey sandwiches and reheated veg.
![[A festive twist on comfort food – these turkey meatballs pair perfectly with creamy polenta and a rich, tangy tomato sauce]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/27/19/Turkey-Meatballs-with-Polenta-and-Tomato-Sauce.jpg)
Instead, these recipes give classic Christmas staples a Mediterranean twist, turning leftovers into three simple yet satisfying dishes. Think turkey thigh meatballs served over creamy polenta with a rich tomato sauce – a comforting dish with a new take on tradition. Or cacciatore-style chicken thighs paired with a silky bread sauce, transforming your roast leftovers into a vibrant Italian-inspired centerpiece. And for something lighter, there’s turkey and mushroom orzotto, a speedy risotto-like dish that swaps rice for orzo pasta and feels just the right side of indulgent.
![[A hearty dish that blends Italian flair with festive staples – perfect for using up roast dinner leftovers in a fresh, bold way]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/27/19/Cacciatore-Style-Chicken-Thighs-with-Bread-Sauce.jpg)
If you can’t find polenta, swap it out for cheesy mashed potato. Ingredients:. 50g dried panko breadcrumbs. 450ml milk. 250g turkey thigh mince. ½ tsp ground allspice. 4 cloves garlic. 2 tbsp olive oil. 400g tinned chopped tomatoes. 1 tsp cider vinegar. ½ tsp caster sugar.
![[Quick, cosy and packed with flavour, this dish is the ultimate way to reinvent turkey and mushrooms for a satisfying midweek meal]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/27/19/Turkey-and-Mushroom-Orzotto.jpg)
