Cooking with Karina: ThankFULL

Thanksgiving Salad (Photo: Karina Arnold)

Karina Arnold is a junior at the University of Oklahoma who’s passionate about healthy cooking. She provides creative, healthy recipes and tips on clean eating.

There are three things I prioritize the most: family, friends and food. Thanksgiving combines these three elements into a glorious feast full of merriment and cheer. I love walking to my grandmother’s house carrying casserole and feeling the cool fall breeze. Hearing the crunch, crunch of the leaves on the ground and the munch, munch of forks full of turkey make up this celebrated American holiday.

Fall is full of family gatherings. Many times, families have two Thanksgiving dinners along with Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving with friends. I find my fridge crowded with Styrofoam or plastic Tupperware stuffed with leftovers. However, having too many dinners and numerous leftovers is a great problem to have. I am thankful for having an abundance of friends and family to have grand dinners with. As I mentioned in my Making Your Leftovers Last article, it is possible to turn your day-old food into delectable dinners.

Collard greens, green beans, salads (pasta and vegetable), beets and stuffing graces Thanksgiving tables across America. Don’t discard these leftovers, but freshen them up! Adding fresh greens literally freshens up any leftovers and soaks any moisture or oily residue from storing leftovers. Another way to “liven up” your leftovers, adding Oodles of Veggie Noodles! I used pre-made spiralized butternut squash from HEB. To cook slightly, I wrapped them with a damp paper towel and microwaved for about 20 seconds. You can also use leftover green beans, beets or salad from the thanksgiving feast. I recommend picking out the wilting stalks or leaves and adding fresh herbs to revive day-old greens.

I practice what I preach in my Thanksgiving Salad recipe. Adding spices, herbs and dressings spruces up scraps so they don’t end up in the trash. You can also add turkey to sandwiches or re-heat and serve with rice. You can also use leftover pumpkin in your next Veggie Smoothie.

Although you can preserve your leftovers, you cannot forget your family and friends. Savor every bite and moment with your loved ones this Thanksgiving, because you can’t re-heat a good time.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving dishes? Comment below!