Holiday Almanac December 27: A Day of Rest

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For more information on the Holiday Almanac, go here. Or to see what I've been up to on past Holiday Almanac days, check out this page.

Today's task advises a day of rest and suggests that the day is 'a good day to gather up your Christmas cards and get your own card list ready for next year.'

But since I don't have enough cards to require gathering, and I don't need a card list for next year, this one's a bit of a freebie.

So today, sit back, drink your coffee extra slow, and enjoy the last glimmers that Christmas has to offer.

The verdict:

5 spoons out of five. It's a pretty good day to take it easy, whether you're in Scotland, Vienna, or the US.

Holiday Almanac December 26: Turkey Royal Pancakes

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For more information on the Holiday Almanac, go here. Or to see what I've been up to on past Holiday Almanac days, check out this page.

Happy Boxing Day! Although Boxing Day isn't really a thing in the US, it's definitely a big deal here in the UK. Retail shops are often closed, offices don't open, and restaurants run special events all across town. We're not observing it this year (except by heading to Vienna for a weeklong holiday!), but if you're looking for a fun recipe that will help you use up your leftover chicken or turkey, this is a good option!

'Make today's leftover turkey as glamorous and delicious as yesterday's,' begins this recipe.

I don't know about glamorous, but this recipe was definitely better than I thought it would be. As Judson realised, this is basically like a cross between pigs-in-a-blanket and turkey tacos... and it's somehow not bad. We even ate the leftovers! If the concept of pancakes weirds you out, you could just leave them out and eat this on sandwiches like chicken salad-- it is that good.

So today, box up those things you don't need anymore and take them to a charity shop. And when you get back home, flush from doing your good deed of the day, make this easy, super-retro lunch and enjoy! It checks off all of my favourite boxes for a new post-holiday recipe: it's easy, versatile, and it uses up all the leftovers you could possibly have getting ready to go bad in your fridge (I listed the variations below, feel free to make it with whatever ingredients you have on hand!). What could be better?

I can't find pimentos in Scotland, which makes making pimento cheese hard. judson just discovered these and they are so perfect!

I can't find pimentos in Scotland, which makes making pimento cheese hard. judson just discovered these and they are so perfect!

The verdict:

2 spoons out of five. Alternatively, you can leave the pancakes out and sprinkle the turkey salad over a bowl of arugula for a lighter lunch to help make up for all those cinnamon rolls you ate yesterday (and, made this way, I'd bump the verdict up to a 4!).

the recipe:

Turkey Royal Pancakes

the directions:

Make pancakes as directed.
Keep pancakes warm by covering with a towel.
Heat oven to 200C/400F.
Mix turkey, onion, half of cheese, celery, pimento, and lemon juice.
Spoon 2 tbsp of mixture onto each pancake and roll up like a taco.
Put folded-side down into an 11x7 baking dish.
Heat in oven 10 minutes.
While pancakes heat, in a separate bowl mix together soup, flour, salt, pepper, and milk, then heat until thickened.
Pour soup mixture over pancakes and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Place under broiler until cheese is bubbly.

the ingredients:

10 pancakes from your favourite recipe or mix (I used this one without the blueberries)
1 c cooked turkey (or chicken), chopped
¼ c chopped onion (or shallot or leek)
½ c cheddar (or mozzarella or parmesan) cheese, grated and divided
½ c celery, chopped
¼ c pimento (or peppadews or banana peppers), chopped
2 tsp lemon juice (or white wine vinegar)
1 can cream of chicken or celery soup
2 tbsp flour
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
2 c milk