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Easy weeknight meals: Turkey Hash With Country Gravy and more

 
Published Nov. 20, 2014

Special Thanksgiving Edition

Mon | Meatless meal

This week will be all about pumpkin and sage and marshmallows, so start it off with completely different tastes. Get a few orders of takeout Wonton Soup and Egg Rolls. Or make your own soup with vegetable broth, frozen wontons and chopped spinach. I like to float a squiggle or two of Sriracha sauce on the top and toss in some sliced scallions. Bake frozen egg rolls if you're doing everything at home.

Tues | Fridge purge

You need space for the thawing turkey, containers of homemade cranberry sauce and myriad veggies and condiments you will be transforming into awesomeness come Thursday. So, time for the Big Dinner Salad. Hard-boiled eggs, cheese (shredded, cubed or julienne strips), diced luncheon meat, garbanzo beans and a host of crunchy vegetables piled high on chopped lettuce make for an economical and smart dinner tonight. Surely, there are some crackers to go with, and a few bottles of neglected dressings in the door of the fridge.

Wed | Rotisserie chicken

The big bird gets all the attention this week but the little bird comes to the rescue the night before Thanksgiving. Carve the chicken and serve with quick-cooking couscous studded with chopped dried apricots and slivered almonds. Sauteed zucchini, too.

Thurs | Early bird special

Darn it if the clan doesn't have to eat something before Thanksgiving dinner. But rather than serve up a monster meal before the monster meal, consider light yogurt parfaits made with nuts, fresh berries and granola. Who has time to make pretty, layered treats in your best flutes? Set out a couple of flavors of yogurts and little bowls of cereal, nuts and fresh or dried fruits for your Thanksgiving Day Yogurt Bar. Make them do their own dishes and then scram.

Fri | Leftoverpalooza

Sure, you can serve Thanksgiving Day 2.0 the day after, but how about getting a little more creative? Turkey Hash With Country Gravy (recipe below) won't get you going on your postholiday diet, but it will use up some of the big meal's delicious debris.

Contact Janet K. Keeler at jkeeler@tampabay.com. Follow @RoadEats.