One of my favorite parts about holiday dinners is the leftovers. In addition to the turkey sandwiches , there are so many different things that you can do with the leftovers. I am always on the lookout for tasty ways to enjoy holiday dinner leftovers and when I came across this recipe for Thanksgiving risotto on Mike’s Table I bookmarked for the holidays. The original recipe called for fresh turkey so I modified it a bit to use leftover turkey. This Thanksgiving risotto is like an entire Thanksgiving dinner all rolled into one dish. You have the turkey and the cranberries from the dinner and the spices remind you of dessert. The risotto turned out great! I really enjoy the way that the sweet butternut squash works in the creamy and cheesy risotto. All of the flavours worked well together and it really was like eating a turkey dinner. The spices added just a hint flavour without overpowering the delicate flavours of the risotto. I garnished the risotto with some toasted pecans and crispy sage leaves fried in butter. I will be making this again!
Turkey and Squash “Thanksgiving” Risotto
ingredients
- 2+ cups chicken stock
- 2 sage leaves (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 1 cup butternut squash (cut into bite sized pieces)
- 1 cup arborio rice
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 pound turkey (cooked, cut into bite sized pieces)
- 1/2 cup parmigiano reggiano (grated)
- 1 tablespoon butter
directions
- Heat the chicken stock and sage leaves in a saucepan and keep it warm.
- Melt the butter in a large sauce pan.
- Add the onions and squash and simmer for 5 minutes to start softening them.
- Add the rice and the spices and coat with the butter.
- Add the wine and stir until it has evaporated.
- Add 1/4 cup of stock at a time and stirring until it has evaporated. The rice is done when it is cooked to al dente.
- Add the cranberries and after 1 cup of stock has been added.
- Add turkey, parmigiano reggiano and butter and stir until the turkey is heated.
Lori Lynn says
I am lovin’ all your Thanksgiving dishes Kevin and this one is no exception! YAY for fried sage leaves!
Robin Sue says
Kevin this sounds realy great. I am glad your Thanksgiving comes first so that I can get all of your leftover ideas and recipes! Thanks!
MaryBeth says
This looks amazingly delish! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.
Meeta says
I agree the best dishes are really made from leftovers! This sounds simply great!
Darius T. Williams says
Looks great – and everything can be made into a risotto – gotta love it!
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
Lori says
This looks so great. I especially like the addition of the cranberries.
Shelli says
Is the squash uncooked when starting this dish?
kevin says
The squash is uncooked and will cook to tender while making the risotto.
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
Very festive! What a gorgeous risotto!
Cheers,
Rosa
VeggieGirl says
Such a fabulous, gorgeous way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers!!
Cheryl says
I love one dish meals and Risotto, you amaze me once again!
Lisa says
This is a great leftover idea.
Rosie says
This dish really looks so colourful Kevin and perfect for Thanksgiving!
Rosie x
Elra says
Kevin,
What a delicious looking risotto, such a great idea of using leftover.
Parker says
This risotto has the most amazing flavors in it.
maybelle's mom says
your thankgiving posts are really getting me in the mood for november.
HoneyB says
Looks really delicious Kevin!
Katrina says
Yum! What a great way to use the leftovers. I love that Canada has their Thanksgiving first, then we Americans get to see all your yummy food and get your recipes! Thanks, Kevin!
nicole says
This looks really good. I really like all your Thanksgiving recipes. It’s nice to see them before Thanksgiving comes.
Mike of Mike's Table says
Its funny, I had this very dish on my mind again recently! I’m glad you enjoyed it and it looks like you did a great job with it.
Pam says
Beautiful colors and wonderful flavors. This risottto is perfect for Thanksgiving. I also love your plate.
Holler says
I would very happily sit down to this, without the turkey. Sounds lovely and a do like a spot of risotto 🙂
Maria says
I love the Thanksgiving dishes you are sharing! We will be eating well this year thanks to you:)
Beth says
Seeing as we don’t have thanksgiving over here – I might just use this for my boxing day dinner
Amber says
I am going to sound like a stupid American, but I didn’t know Thanksgiving was celebrated anywhere else but the US. In school they never let on, it was just about Pilgrams and Indians. I am loving everything you are making. Lucky for us down south, you do the work first and we can just follow.
Alexa says
Great idea. I am taking notes for our Thanksgiving. Thanks Kevin!
Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer says
This dish looks amazing – This is a great use for all the incredible leftovers that I intentionally make!!
Sandie says
Wow, just look at all those flavors. That’s one hearty risotto! Yeah for using a recipe from Mike’s Table, too. He’s got some great stuff cooking over there!
Helene says
Kevin, you still amaze me. Do you cook for yourself only? I’m sure lot’s of people would love to share your table.
diva says
i love the colours! i’m a bit addicted to squash so i’ll definitely make this sometime soon. perfect for autumn. now i just need to get all those ingredients, especially arborio rice. mmmm. i can already imagine what’ll taste like.
meeso says
That is an amazing picture you took! Really appetizing!
Clumbsy Cookie says
I was thinking what a thanksgiving risotto might be, but then I saw the picture and it all made sense! Great risotto!
Deborah says
I could eat just this for dinner!
Gloria says
Kevin this look wonderful and tasty, really nice, Gloria
Elly says
Kevin this is brilliant!
Marjie says
This looks really nice! I love turkey anything!
Pam says
Fabulous use for leftover turkey!
ttfn300 says
omg, i want some of that NOW!
Mrs Ergül says
You’re right! The leftovers is the best part cuz you then get to transform one dish into many different ones!
chefectomy says
I made risotto tonight but it wasn’t this creative (asparagus and shrimp). Very cool approach here.
–Marc
Daziano says
Squash risotto is very common in Italy and I love it!! Nice recipe!!!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says
Great idea for a one-course Thanksgiving feast! Hardly any dishes to wash up, too.
Lori says
This just might be on our plates this evening! Looks so warm and comforting.
Anonymous says
Oh Wow, I am a huge risotto lover and this is right up my ally. Looks so flavorful and comforting all in one. I love how you topped it with the fried sage and pecans. Great combination. Can’t wait to give it a try with all the leftovers 🙂
Jan says
I love the colours Kevin – looks yummy.
Cara says
That sounds great! I’ve done butternut risotto plenty of times, but never with the turkey in it too. Awesome!
Grace says
this is truly thanksgiving wrapped up into one dish–awesome.
kimberleyblue says
Thanksgiving gives the best leftovers – and this looks like it may top them all. Fantastic!
Anonymous says
I’m a big fan of Thanksgiving leftovers as well. This is a creative and tasty way to use them up.
Meg says
What a beautiful combination of flavors! I love it!
Proud Italian Cook says
What can I say! That is just plain beautiful Kevin, I would et that whole plate!
Jeanne says
Sounds wonderful – with sage and squash, a risotto can’t go wrong!
Steve says
Kevin,
This will be on the menu this weekend. Thanks for posting. Excellent photo. Really like the site.
Steve
http://www.myfavoriteflavours.com
Maret says
Ended up using closer to 3.5 cups of broth and cooking it around 25 minutes. Here’s what I did: Heat butter in a cast iron skillet with high sides over medium heat. Sauté onion about 2-3 minutes. Add squash (used 1.75 cups) and sauté until it starts to soften, 6-8 minutes. Add the rice (plus a minced garlic clove and about 1/2 tsp fresh rosemary & sage as well as some black pepper) and stir for 1 minute. Stir in wine and allow to cook down, 1-3 minutes. Add about 3/4 cup heated broth. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring about every minute until the broth is almost absorbed, about 5-10 minutes. Repeat adding the broth 3 times.
Stir in the dried cranberries with the last addition of broth. When the squash is tender and the risotto soft and creamy, stir in the turkey and cheese. Allow to heat and serve.