By Leigh O'Connor.
There’s a moment every year - usually around 6 pm on Christmas Day - when you open the fridge, stare at the precarious towers of Tupperware, foil parcels and mystery bowls and wonder whether you’ve accidentally catered a wedding instead of a family lunch.
What if that mountain of leftovers wasn’t a burden…but a playground? What if the best part of your Christmas menu actually happens after Christmas?
This year, cook with the confidence of someone who knows exactly where every leftover is going. Build a Christmas menu that not only shines on the big day but transforms into new, cheeky, joy-sparking dishes for Boxing Day, the 27th and even beyond. Think of it as culinary reincarnation - your festive spread, reborn in glorious new forms.
The Ham That Keeps on Giving
Let’s start with the Christmas ham, that glossy, sweet, triumphant centrepiece we all carve far too generously. The truth? You’re going to have leftovers and that’s a gift.
The Day-after Hero: Christmas Curry Puffs
Flaky, golden parcels stuffed with chopped ham, leftover roast veggies, a spoonful of gravy and just enough curry powder to wake up your sleepy Boxing Day tastebuds. They’re addictive, easy and impossibly charming - like your favourite uncle before the second Shiraz.
Don’t Stop There - Ham Fat Popcorn Exists
Yes, it’s decadent. Yes, it feels mischievous and yes, you absolutely should do it. Save that glorious ham fat, melt it through freshly popped kernels, sprinkle with smoked salt and suddenly Boxing Day movie marathons become a full gourmet experience. It’s the kind of snack that whispers, "You don’t need dinner…but you’ll probably eat it anyway.”
Turkey, Reimagined
Turkey gets a bad rap for being dry, but with a little foresight, it becomes a shape-shifting marvel. Roast it simply on the day, then let the leftovers star in something wildly different - no dry sandwiches allowed.
Enter: The Festive Pho
Turkey stock simmered with ginger, star anise, cinnamon and leftover herbs creates a broth so good you’ll forget you ever complained about turkey being boring. Add noodles, shredded turkey and a squeeze of lime and watch everyone go quiet for a moment of noodle-based enlightenment.
Perhaps go crispy with turkey and cranberry fried rice - sweet, savoury, tangy and perfect for feeding the household of post-Christmas grazers who wander into the kitchen like friendly zombies.
Desserts That Won’t Quit
Christmas desserts often fall into two categories: the ones you instantly finish…and the ones that seem to reproduce overnight. Pavlova is famously the latter - giant, fluffy and always leftover.
Solution: Pavlova Brûlée
Torch the top until it crackles, caramelises and becomes a sugary, glassy crown. Pile on any fruit that hasn’t been eaten (this is their redemption arc) and suddenly your pavlova feels luxuriously intentional instead of "I guess we still have pav today.”
Leftover pudding? Slice it, pan-fry it in butter and serve with ice cream. Congratulations - you have created the world’s easiest festive breakfast.
A Menu With a Weekend Plan
This is the joy of cooking once and eating all weekend: nothing feels wasted, everything feels clever and your fridge becomes a treasure chest instead of a chore.
So go ahead - cook boldly on Christmas Day - because the real fun starts on the 26th.
