Confession: the Thanksgiving meal is great, but the sandwich the next day is better. Everyone knows it. Nobody says it out loud at the table.
So let's plan for it.
The short answer
One turkey, a fresh loaf, three cheeses (a soft one, a sharp one, a melter) and a couple of good jars will carry you all week. None of it tastes like leftovers.
Thanksgiving's done and the fridge is full? We pulled everything into one place: The Leftovers Edit.
The shopping list
Grab these when you pick up your Thanksgiving cheese and you're set until Saturday.
Plus a fresh loaf from our counter, a jar of chili jam (more on that below), a jar of Rosemary Apple Jelly and some cornichons, because every sandwich deserves a crunch.
Tuesday: the brie and chili jam toastie
Skip the cranberry. A sweet-hot chili jam does everything cranberry does for a turkey sandwich, plus a little kick.
Butter the outside of two slices. Layer turkey, thick slices of brie and a generous spread of Fireflame Chili Jam or Jalapeno Jam. Low heat, lid on, until the brie gives up.
Rich, sweet, a little heat. Natural bedfellows.
Wednesday: turkey and cheddar melt
Open-faced this time. Toast the bread, pile on turkey, a spoon of rosemary apple jelly and a lot of grated old cheddar.
Under the broiler until it bubbles at the edges. Apple and cheddar is the most fall pairing there is.
Thursday: the leftover board
Lazy night? Build a board. Cold turkey sliced thin, the rest of the brie, cornichons, crackers and whatever chili jam is left.
Pour something red and light. Call it charcuterie and nobody will argue.
Friday: croque dinde
A croque monsieur, but turkey.
Make a quick white sauce (butter, flour, milk, a pinch of nutmeg). Spread it over turkey on toast, cover in grated Gruyere and broil until golden.
Knife and fork food. Worth it.
The weekend: turkey soup
Simmer the carcass with an onion, carrot and celery for a couple of hours.
The trick: if you've been saving the rind from a hard cheese, drop it in. It melts into the broth and makes it taste like someone's grandmother made it. Fish it out before serving, then grate cheddar over the top.
The Leftovers Edit: four lots for round two
The Second-Day Sandwich
Old cheddar, green tomato chutney (your cranberry sauce's tangier cousin), triple crunch mustard and garlic dills.
Add the lotThe Turkey Melt
Gunn's Hill Five Brothers, Spade & Spoon Red Pepper Jelly, and a crisp Vim & Vigour Pilsner on the side.
Add the lotThe Cranberry Situation
You have a tub of cranberry sauce. We have the cheese it was born for: Délice de Bourgogne, plus 34 Degrees crisps to scoop it up.
Add the lotThe Fry-Up
Stuffing, potatoes, sprouts, the lot. One pan, Rougié duck fat, Parm grated over the top. A fried egg is optional, but strongly encouraged.
Add the lotAnd to pour
Party Favour Red '24, light and chillable. Turkey's best friend, round two included.
Make your week easier
Thanksgiving's done, but the fridge says otherwise. Swing by 614 Gerrard St E, or order before 10am for same-day local delivery. #AllTheBestStuff