Dare to Taste: Easter Leftovers

There's nothing like a time-consuming, side-splitting holiday feast...and nothing like kicking back and cleaning out your fridge in the days to follow. We're guessing you thought of ham sandwiches already, but here are a few more simple ideas to make leftover dinner a crowd-pleasing winner in its own right.

Chef's salad. A heap of greens makes the perfect base for chopped ham, deviled eggs, and whatever is lurking in your crisper drawer. It may not be the most sinless salad you ever consume, but a bed of greens is a step up from yesterday's scalloped potatoes, right? Drizzle a homemade dressing over top for maximal impact with minimal effort.

Split pea soup. Sunny spring is in full swing, but chilly nights still call for a meal that warms from the inside out. You can throw together a rich, filling soup using a leftover ham hock for flavor. Try this slow-cooker recipe—just load up your crock pot before you leave in the morning, and come home to a hearty helping of comfort food you can bring for lunch all week long.

Pizza. Who doesn't love pizza night? Leftover ham pairs perfectly with tart pineapple chunks, crisp green peppers, and salty olives. Go for a full pie, or set up a "make-your-own" pizza bar using whole wheat pitas or English muffins for a customizable, portion-controlled alternative.

Quiche. Don't be intimidated—whether you attempt granny's famous pie crust or substitute a store-bought alternative (or even go crustless), quiche is just a fancy French word for egg casserole. This recipe incorporates peak-season asparagus for added fiber and flavor. Not up for the assembly (or too hungry to wait an hour for it to bake)? Eggs and ham are a match made in heaven—whisk bite-size chunks into an omelet or egg scramble. Breakfast for dinner is served.

Extra Credit: Easter candy pound cake. No need to let those chocolate bunnies and robin's eggs go stale on your countertop! We love this idea to bake leftover candy into a festive bundt cake. After all, it's a lot harder to put away half a cake in one sitting—and a lot easier to give away home-baked treats at the office. Most popular co-worker, anyone?

—Emma Aubry Roberts