Post-Thanksgiving Meal Planning

It's the Sunday after Thanksgiving. We made all the "must do's" from the Thanksgiving 2022 post but none of the "may do's," so I still have a lot of ingredients to work with. We've finished most of the Thanksgiving leftovers, but I didn't make the vegan lentil loaf yet, so I'm making that tonight. 

Here is what I need to use up from my fridge and freezer (a lot is because I apparently overestimated how much I needed for Thanksgiving): a half pint of heavy cream, part of a half-gallon of whole milk, a bag of frozen corn, some dairy Parmesan and vegan Parmesan, a bunch of shredded Monterey Jack and white cheddar, shredded mozzarella, most of a container of fat free cottage cheese, 13 eggs (I don't know why I thought I needed the second dozen), a quart of buttermilk, part of a container of lite sour cream, frozen dark sweet cherries and tart cherries, frozen wild blueberries (one more small bag to go), a significant bag of frozen bananas (I'll just toss it if I don't finish it off, but I make quick work of frozen bananas when I make chocolate smoothies for breakfast like I've been doing), wonton wrappers, baby carrots, celery, fresh broccoli florets, shaved Brussels sprouts, haricort verts, the better part of a bag of frozen hashbrown potatoes, and several frozen homemade breakfast sausages. I've also still got a bag of Granny Smith apples on my counter for making apple pie filling and three Roma tomatoes.

Here is what I'm going to make:

 

Vegan Lentil Loaf and Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Whole Grain Mustard Sauce and Seared French Beans with Caper Bagna Cauda and Buttermilk Cornbread

Tonight. We've still got leftover cheesy creamed corn from Thanksgiving too. This will use up the haricort verts, most if not all of the last jar of capers in my fridge, and the brussels sprouts.

Cherry Pie Wontons

From cherry pie filling. This will use up the tart cherries and half the wonton wrappers.

Cream Cheese and Green Onion Wontons

To use up a brick of cream cheese, the last of the green onions, and the second half of the wonton wrappers.

 

Corn Risotto

This will use up the excess frozen corn and the vegan Parmesan. I just need a couple zucchini. Tuesday night. Possibly with the various wontons as well if I can make that much in one day. [Edited 12/1/2022: I did make them all on Tuesday, but I forgot to get a picture of the risotto.]

 

Enchiladas Verdes and Veg Refried Beans

This will use up the cottage cheese and a lot of the shredded cheddar/jack. I just need some spinach and enchilada salsa verde. I might need corn tortillas, but I think I have a bagful in the pantry. Saturday night.

McDonald's-Style Breakfast Sandwiches

From buttermilk biscuits and my vast number of eggs. It'll put a dent in the buttermilk. Monday night since Sameer says he'll be eating something else.

 

Apple Crisp and Cinnamon or Vanilla Ice Cream

This would get rid of the apples, the cream, a couple eggs, and part of the milk. [Edited 12/4/2022: I made this last night and forgot to take a picture. If you want a fantastic vanilla ice cream recipe, just use the one in the cinnamon ice cream link and replace the cinnamon with an extra teaspoon of vanilla extract. It's one of the best ice creams I've ever had.]

Vegan Shepherd's Pie

This would use up a bunch of the carrots, celery, any excess corn, and milk from making the potato topping. I don't need to buy anything to make this. Thursday night. Not actually vegan since I'm using dairy milk.

Hashbrown Waffles

To use up the last of the hashbrown potatoes in the freezer. It could also use up some of the shredded cheese and potentially be topped with some of the sour cream, salsa, and jalapeno slices currently in the fridge. Maybe Friday night. I'd also like to have vegan fried chick'n with it, partly because I like the idea of chicken and waffles even though I've never had it, and partly because I've unearthed a surplus of vital wheat gluten in my freezer. There are two open bags in there. It's more than I ever realized I had. Here is the recipe I'd use for frying, if I end up doing it. Sameer isn't eating with us Friday night, so I might end up saving this for Sunday and just having leftovers and quesadillas with Simran on Friday.

Vegan Pepperoni

For snacking on and to use up more vital wheat gluten from my freezer. I chose this recipe partly for the positive ratings and partly because it contains a bunch of ingredients I want to use up and doesn't require me to buy anything I don't already have, which is very important to me right now.