Festive leftovers: Turn Christmas extras into delicious new dishes
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Christmas leftovers don’t have to be daunting. From cheeseboard pasties to bread sauce quiche and a vegan filo pie, these recipes turn extras into festive gold. The season of festive plenty is also the season of plentiful leftovers – which can dauntingly quickly fill up the fridge and freezer before you’ve even had a chance to open the first window of your advent calendar.
![[These cheesy, chutney-filled pasties are the perfect way to repurpose your festive cheeseboard into a warm, crumbly hug of flavour]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/27/18/BoroughXmas_Pasties3.jpg)
The trick is to not think about them as “extra food” that needs to be eaten up somehow, but as essential ingredients in themselves that can enliven other completely dishes. Leftover bread sauce that can be transformed into crunchy croquettes, or added to the savoury custard or a tart or quiche; leftover cheese that can be melted into a fondue, or turned into wonderful deep filled pasties; and leftover veggies that can be chopped into chilli, or baked into a comforting crinkle crusted pie!.
![[This rich, savoury quiche brings leftover bread sauce, smoked ham and robust cheese together in a golden pastry crust]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/27/18/BoroughXma_Quiche1.jpg)
The festive cheeseboard is a true seasonal hero – as it has the potential to be transformed into countless different delectations throughout the winter break. My favourite thing to do with leftovers is to turn them into Christmas pasties, using up any chutney, quince jelly or cheese condiments you might also have left over.
![[A crackling filo pie filled with earthy chestnuts, shredded sprouts and herby parsnip for a plant-based festive centerpiece]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/27/18/BoroughXmas_FiloPie1.jpg)
Try making these with a Sparkenhoe Red Leicester from Borough Cheese Company – which is made with raw cow’s milk, has a rich nutty taste and melts wonderfully. It’s delicious paired with a traditional sharpe clothbound Pitchfork Cheddar made in Hewish, North Somerset and available at Trethowan Brothers.
