CHUSday and Leftovers

Okay, in unison now. Gr. . oa. . n. All that food. Turkey, ham, shepherd's pie, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans in every incarnation. Fruitcake, Christmas cookies, latkes and applesauce. Are you full yet?

And now we have leftovers!

I love taking whatever's left of a turkey and making gumbo. Turkey gumbo, well, its even better than chicken, richer, deeper flavor. I add the leftover gravy and any broth I have left from the giblets. If you "really" want my recipe, you'll find it if you go to my book page and click on Rising Tides. Iron Lace has the broth recipe. Just think turkey and go from there.

No turkey at our house this year, and the leftovers we have belong to my daughter-in-law, who patiently cooked the feast. But waiting at home are the remnants of Christmas morning chili puff casserole ready to be reheated after we trek back. No one loves leftovers quite as much as the cook who created the original.

We're nearing "leftovers" for CHU (Cookbook Hoarders United), too. It's been great fun. Some of you have participated by sending in comments for recipes you tried. We've had monthly winners and now we're heading toward our final prize, a $50 B&N gift certificate, another silly kitchen gadget–an egg scoop for rescuing boiled eggs–and an autographed novel for the grand prize winner.

You still have a few days to enter. Everyone who comments with recipe name, where you got it and how you liked it, by December 31 at midnight will be entered. Remember the recipe must be new to you–one you hadn't tried before. If you're already entered, enter again and increase your chances.

Now, excuse me while I go upstairs and raid the refrigerator. There's a honey-baked ham calling me. Sweet potatoes and my daugher-in-law's fabulous tomato pudding. And there's family around the table. Really, does it get better than that?