The day after Easter festivities with your family, it's common to find yourself with leftover food that can easily be repurposed. There are many ways to use leftover ham, mashed potatoes, and grilled vegetables to create delicious new dishes. Easter leftovers can be a source of inspiration for creating delicious and creative meals that minimize food waste and make the most of every ingredient. So, if you're looking for ideas for cooking with Easter leftovers, keep reading!

Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and Easter leftovers can be used to create quick and stress-free recipes. Here are some ideas that will please everyone!

In England, the dish where everything is salvaged from the previous day's meal is one of the great classics of their gastronomy: Bubble and Squeak ! It's a recipe that's very adaptable to whatever leftovers you have on hand.

  1. Start by cooking 1 large, finely chopped onion in a little olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
  2. Next, add 2 cups of shredded green cabbage or a mixture of cooked vegetables of your choice, cut into small pieces (carrot, parsnip, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, etc.)
  3. Add this mixture to cold mashed potatoes (600g to 800g), along with 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard and 2 cups of cooked ham (chopped into small cubes or crushed in a food processor).
  4. Season with salt and pepper and form into patties. Brown them in a pan for a few minutes to heat them through and make them crispy. Drizzle with a little maple syrup, and voilà!

scones

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, scones are delicious pastries perfect for breakfast. Very easy to make at home, they're an ideal way to use up leftover ham, bacon, or sausage. For light and flavorful scones, gently mix the butter into the dough for the shortest time possible, just enough to form a ball. For a cheddar, ham, and maple scone, follow this recipe:

  1. Start by preheating the oven to 400 F.
  2. In a bowl, mix 2 cups of flour with 1 tbsp of baking powder.
  3. Add 1/2 cup of butter, cut into small cubes, and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Using a pastry blender or fork, mix in the butter until the dough has a crumbly texture.
  4. Add 3/4 cup of 15% cream, 1/2 teaspoon of chopped dried rosemary, one sliced green onion, 1/2 cup of small-piece meat, and 1 cup of diced cheddar cheese. Gently shape into a ball.
  5. Finally, dust your counter with flour to prevent the dough from sticking; roll out the dough to 2,5 cm thick, then cut out 8 triangles.
  6. Spread the scones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place them on the middle rack of the oven. They will be ready in about 18 minutes.

To eat them the English way, you can spread each bite with butter or crème fraîche, and a little jam.

Ham and cheese scenes on a plate

Diner

Reusing ham in sandwiches is a must, and with a little creativity, you can elevate it to gourmet level. The combinations are endless! Condiments and toppings are essential to enhance your sandwiches; a creamy sauce, a tangy crunchy element, and well-seasoned vegetables make all the difference.

  • If you are the type to keep the cooking fat from the bacon, melt 2 tbsp and add it to mayonnaise with 1 tsp of maple syrup. Paired with pear or apple slices and crushed walnuts, it's delicious!
  • Un grilled cheese with potato Why not! A crusty loaf of bread, mashed potatoes or leftover gratin dauphinois, a thin layer of wholegrain mustard, and melted cheese, and you have a truly decadent ham (or bacon!) sandwich.
  • Sometimes simplicity beats a more complex recipe. Will you dare to try a sandwich… with chips?Go big on chips: The texture of several layers of chips between two slices of soft white bread is extremely satisfying. Slices of ham, yellow mustard, sweet pickle slices, and salt and vinegar chips are a match made in heaven!Do you have other flavors of chips at home? Adapt the condiment chosen to suit the chips and go on a taste adventure!
A grilled ham sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes

Supper

At dinnertime, we sit down and take the time to enjoy a good meal with our loved ones. The less time spent in the kitchen, the better! Here are some quick recipe ideas for your weeknight dinners.

Gigi's pasta contains bacon, which can be perfectly replaced with ham.

  1. Cook your spaghetti or linguini and 2 minutes before the end of cooking, add peas or frozen corn. Drain everything, taking care to keep about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water in a small bowl.
  2. While the pasta cooks, sauté small cubes of ham in a pan until crispy. Add sliced mushrooms, finely chopped onion and garlic and continue cooking for a few minutes.
  3. Add the cooked pasta and 1 tablespoon of butter to the pan and mix well with the ham filling. Turn off the heat and proceed to the last step.
  4. Whisk together the egg yolks and grated Parmesan cheese and slowly add this mixture to the pasta. Stir in the pasta cooking water until the sauce is creamy. Adjust seasonings (salt, black pepper, more cheese) as needed.

For a rich, creamy, and comforting soup , transform chicken cordon bleu into a spoonable version. Make a large batch to use up leftover ham, and freeze portions for lunches.

  1. In a saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter and sweat the onions over medium heat for about 10 minutes, covered.
  2. Add 1/4 cup flour and cook for 2 minutes, whisking until smooth.
  3. Pour in the following liquids in three batches, letting the mixture cook for 1 minute between each batch: 1 cup chicken broth, 1 cup milk, and 1 cup cream (15% or more, your choice). Bring to a boil to thicken the sauce.
  4. Remove the pan from the heat and add these ingredients:
  • 2 cooked chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1 cup cubed ham
  • 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
  • chopped parsley
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

To serve, garnish the soup with garlic and herb croutons.

You can create a ham and cheese pie with leftover grilled vegetables, a mixture of creamed and whole-grain corn, caramelized onions, etc. Simply cover everything with mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, sprinkle with breadcrumbs (for a crunchy texture), and bake the casserole for about 30 minutes in a 375°F oven.

For a quick meal, transform your pizza l’épicier in Hawaiian pizza! Add pieces of ham and pineapple on top of the cheese, bake the pizza for 12 minutes and enjoy!

A Hawaiian pizza

With a little creativity and imagination, you can turn Easter leftovers into delicious, easy-to-prepare meals. Whether it's for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, think about the meat dishes you love and adapt your recipe based on what you have leftovers. So, the day after Easter, try one of these recipes to make the most of your leftovers and avoid waste.

Bon appétit!

Browse our article on the different cuts of ham and how to cook them to ensure your ham is perfect every time!


sources:
https://www.afamilyfeast.com/bubble-and-squeak-with-ham/#tasty-recipes-23705
www.armstrongcheese.ca/fr-ca/nos-recettes/scones-au-cheddar-fort
https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a97260/chicken-cordon-bleu-soup/