Entertain Away Those Calorie-Packed Leftovers

Usually our fridge is in shell shock after hosting a holiday dinner. Too many calorie-packed leftovers to count. I wish the tupperware fairy would wave her magic wand and get rid of them, so I can return to my regular, healthier eating habits as soon as possible. But I grew up with leftovers and it's hard for me to throw food away.

This year I tried something different -- I entertained away the leftovers. After hosting 14 for Thanksgiving, we packed all the leftovers in tupperware, then invited ourselves over to my brother's house for dinner the next day. Of course, we offered to bring the leftover holiday spread with us.

Everyone was thrilled. I heated it all up in the oven for a touch of authenticity (no microwaves). The stuffing and turkey were a bit dry, but nothing day-old gravy couldn't solve. This is also a perfect opportunity to unload leftover holiday desserts, such as that extra fruit pie, half a cheesecake and that two-pound box of gourmet chocolates guests were too stuffed to touch. Just remember, to avoid hosting a food poisoning party, check out Jacki's tips on how to properly handle those holiday leftovers.