| The holidays are a time for friends and family and | | | | ingredients with 6 cups of water. Simmer, covered, until |
| good old-fashioned home cooking. Who can resist the | | | | rice is cooked, approximately 30 minutes. Great with |
| tempting smells coming from the kitchen at this most | | | | fresh bread.Turkey Spaghetti8 oz. spaghetti or other |
| favorite time of year? Holiday dinners were among | | | | pasta |
| my favorite, most memorable meals as a child. Our | | | | 1 can cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup |
| family shared our holiday meals with different relatives | | | | 3/4 c. grated mild cheddar cheese |
| each year, but wherever we were and whoever we | | | | 2 c. leftover cooked, diced turkey |
| were with, we always knew to expect good food and | | | | Salt and pepper to taste |
| enjoyable family gatherings that we would remember | | | | Optional - diced celery and/or diced onion to your |
| for months to come.When I was a child, it was always | | | | tastePrepare soup as directed. Prepare spaghetti as |
| a tradition in our family to have turkey for Thanksgiving | | | | directed then drain. Combine spaghetti, soup and |
| and ham for Christmas. We would also always enjoy | | | | remaining ingredients. Stir until cheese melts. Serve and |
| mounds of creamy mashed potatoes and gravy, | | | | enjoy!Mashed Potatoes and Ham Bake2 cups |
| candied yams with lots of butter, brown sugar, and | | | | mashed potatoes |
| melted marshmallows, and I could always count on | | | | 2 tablespoons mustard |
| sampling my dad's famous fruit salad. He would | | | | 2 cups ham, cubed |
| meticulously cut each fruit into bite-size pieces (apples, | | | | 1/2 cup cottage cheese |
| oranges, grapes, bananas, and raisins), and mix it all | | | | 1 cup cheddar cheese, gratedPreheat oven to 350 |
| together with a generous portion of homemade | | | | degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, mix mashed |
| whipped cream. Homemade cranberry sauce was | | | | potatoes and mustard. Spread potato mixture in the |
| also always a special holiday treat.Now that I'm | | | | bottom of a greased 8-inch square baking pan. |
| married we have even more family to share our | | | | Arrange ham on top of potatoes. In a small bowl, mix |
| holiday meals with. With so much family, though, we | | | | cottage cheese and cheddar cheese. Spread over |
| rarely get to host dinner at our house. It's always nice | | | | ham. Bake until mixture is heated through, about 30 |
| to go to someone else's house to eat, but then we | | | | minutes.Chopped Ham Sandwiches2 lb. leftover ham, |
| don't get any of the leftovers! We usually end up | | | | chopped into bite-sized pieces |
| taking advantage of the holiday sales at the | | | | 2 tbsp. brown sugar |
| supermarket though, and then we can have our own | | | | 1 c. ketchup |
| little feast. I've had a lot of fun over the years devising | | | | 1/4 c. vinegar |
| ways to use up the leftovers from our own holiday | | | | 1 c. water |
| meals--and I'd like to share some of my favorite | | | | 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauceFry ham in a skillet and |
| recipes with you.Turkey and Rice Soup2 1/2 cups | | | | sprinkle flour over it. Stir in the remaining ingredients. |
| turkey, cooked and diced | | | | Simmer for 1 hour and serve on toast or hamburger |
| 1 can cream of mushroom soup | | | | buns. Makes 15 to 20 sandwiches.Originally published at |
| 1 6-ounce box long-grained rice | | | | Suite 101. Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and |
| 2 cups mushrooms, sliced | | | | mom who is the author of What's for Dinner?, an |
| 1/2 cup onion, diced | | | | e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy |
| 1 cup carrots, gratedIn a large saucepan, combine all | | | | dinner ideas. |