The Thanksgiving Burrito: A Tribute to the Traditional Thanksgiving Sandwich
Admit it. Though it’s still some time away, you’re already thinking about Thanksgiving. I know I am. Because as far as holidays go, Turkey Day’s got the complete package: Four-day weekend? Check. Never-ending conveyor belt of food? Check. Yearly opportunity to watch (insert appropriate relative’s name here) hit the vino a little too hard and scream incessantly at the TV because he picked the Lions to beat the spread? Double check. And then, of course, there’s the best part about Thanksgiving. Leftovers!
Leftovers are as storied a Turkey Day tradition as feasting on pizza on Thanksgiving Eve. Whether it’s tucking into a glorious slice of late night pumpkin pie (my favorite), curling up by the fire with a good book and a warm bowl of gravy-soaked stuffing (also my favorite) or pretending you didn’t hear your mother ask you to clean the gutters as you sink your teeth into your umpteenth turkey sandwich (three-way tie for my favorite!)--there’s something about the comforting tastes of Thanksgiving that makes revisiting them for the next several days as easy as (the aforementioned pumpkin) pie.
Of course, as much as these leftovers can stand on their own--it’s just as much fun to occasionally take them in an unexpected direction. As my new book Take This Dish and Twist It shows, there are lots of great ways to give classic comfort food a creative kick in the culinary pants. One of my favorites (What, it’s suddenly illegal to have unlimited favorites?) is my latest creation: the Thanksgiving Burrito!
This tribute to the traditional “Thanksgiving Sandwich” takes that classic concoction’s sweet-savory synergy into deliciously spicy new territory--and is guaranteed to be just as effective in avoiding any and all gutter cleaning. So trade that goofy pilgrim hat for a ridiculous sombrero and give your post-Thanksgiving menu a flavorful twist in the dish.
Simply take a flour tortilla and fill it with your favorite leftovers (stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes, and candied yam!), pour some of that gravy and cranberry jelly on top, and you’ve got yourself the perfect hand-held companion for your Thanksgiving withdrawal days.
Recipe © Meredith Corporation
My First Kitchen on November 04, 2008 at 10:29 AM
You know one of my favorites? GEORGE DURAN. So glad to see you, George. I am definitely working on my Thanksgiving menu already, and I'm planning on enough leftovers to put my entire family in a food coma for several days. Sweet bloated success.