Staring at a fridge chock full of leftover Thanksgiving goodies can be mighty intimidating – with so many options, and so many ingredients, it’s not always easy to know what to do with them.

Allow us to simplify things. Whether you’re hankering for the simplicity of the perfect post-Thanksgiving sandwich or are feeling adventurous enough to make mashed potato spring rolls, we’ve found a plethora of yummy recipes to keep your culinary inspiration flowing through the holiday season.

And for a homecooked basic, let us recommend this Turkey Chili from Elena’s Pantry:

Turkey Chili
leftover turkey meat, white and/or dark
4-6 roasted poblano chili peppers
2 quarts chicken stock (vegetable stock will work too)
2 medium onions, diced
3 carrots, diced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt
1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon cilantro, minced

1. In a large crock pot, combine turkey, poblanos, stock, onions and carrots
2. Allow to cook several hours or overnight
3. Add cumin, oregano and salt
4. In a small bowl, combine arrowroot and water to make a slurry
5. Stir into crockpot and cook for another 1 hour or until thick
6. Garnish with cilantro
7. Serve

Read More {Serious Eats’ Guide to Thanksgiving Leftovers}

Read More {The Kitchn’s Fresh Ideas for Thanksgiving Leftovers} 

Read More {YumSugar’s Turkey Leftover Tips}

We’ve found some fabulous DIY centerpiece ideas that will make your table absolutely unforgettable! And here they are – in increasing levels of difficulty:

Pumpkin Candles from Better Homes and Gardens

This idea from Better Homes and Gardens is a quick and easy way to reuse items already in your home for a beautiful effect. All it requires is a pumpkin, a knife, a candle, hot glue, and – voila – a pumpkin candle holder is born. Add in a few pine cones and branches from the garden, and you have a stellar centerpiece without having to buy a thing.

Fabric Pumpkins from Thompson Family

A DIY Cornucopia from Martha Stewart

 

 

Ah, trust Martha to give us a stunningly gorgeous decor idea that looks more than a little scary to attempt. Needed: burlap, twine, wicker, and some serious cajones. Don’t worry though – even Martha suggests getting the cornucopia from a craft store rather than weaving it from scratch. Hard work aside, this “horn of plenty” would be a great Thanksgiving centerpiece you could definitely use for years to come.

The contenders? Turkey and, well, everything else.

Side-dishes often get a bad rap (and no wonder – thanks to cranberry sauce in a can), but they’ve recently been making quite a come back in the culinary world. As side-dish advocate and New York Times writer, Julia Moskin, recently noted, side dishes are a great way to bring creativity and pizzazz to an otherwise “stuffy” Thanksgiving table. Not that we’re saying that we don’t like turkey, or tradition for that matter, but what’s the fun in keeping everything the same year after year?

Whether you just want an alternative to bland bean casseroles or are looking for a luxurious dish that will wow your dinner guests, we’ve got our favorite, unique recipes right here:

Trend: Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta and Rosemary

What’s hot in the culinary world right now? Brussels Sprouts. Don’t give us that look! They’re good, we swear! You just need to follow the golden sprout rule: DO NOT OVER COOK. When cooked right, Brussels Sprouts are a fabulous alternative to Green Beans, and we’re loving this recipe from Good Housekeeping, which has the perfect balance of “vegetably” goodness and savory flavoring.

Treat: Thai-Inspired Fiery Sweet Potatoes

We’d never have thought of marrying Thai spices with traditional sweet potatoes, but what better way to offset the (often overpowering) sweetness of yams than with a fiery kick of spicing? This is one unusual side dish that will definitely make a statement on your Thanksgiving table.

Malika Ameen, whose sourdough stuffing is a taste of luxury

Treasure: Sourdough Dressing With Truffle Butter and Candied Chestnuts

This recipe, adapted from chef Malika Ameen, is a decadent stuffing – the likes of which you’ve never seen before. Complete with chanterelle mushrooms, candied chestnuts, and truffle butter, this is a side dish that laughs in the face of the economy. But, if you’re trying to throw a Thanksgiving extravaganza to impress (economy be damned!), then you couldn’t do better than this richly flavored and unique stuffing.

Read More {New York Times}

If you prefer to be catered to on your Thanksgiving holiday rather than cater, never fear! The Informed Traveler has dug up some last-minute Thanksgiving deals to 12 fabulously luxurious hotels around the country – including Capella Telluride, a new ski lodge and resort nestled in the Colorado mountains. Trust us, when you’re snuggled in a bath robe, having enjoyed a day at the spa or the slopes, you’ll definitely have something to be thankful for.

Read the Full Story {The Informed Traveler}