In addition to being great writers, many of our romance authors are fabulous cooks. So here are some handy hints and tips, just in time for Thanksgiving.

After a big Thanksgiving meal, many people end up with quite a bit of extra turkey. Nibbling on leftovers is fine, but here are some additional healthy ways to use that leftover turkey, so one day of eating excess does not turn into several days of stuffing yourself with stuffing.

First of all, if you are watching your weight, make sure you serve lots of veggies, and eat only the white meat.

Secondly, make sure, if you have guests over, to send the lion’s share of the leftovers home with THEM, so you are not tempted to overeat for several more meals.

But, having said that, if you have cooked a sumptuous turkey breast, it is good lean protein you can enjoy. Here are some ideas:

Sandwiches

This is our family favorite. Simply slather mayonnaise on your favorite bread and add turkey. Enjoy! Of course, you can make this sandwich fancier by using toasted garlic bread, or adding some seasonings to the mayonnaise.

You can quickly whip up some gourmet style mayo by adding some of the packaged ranch dressing mix to it.

Instead of regular sliced bread, make turkey sandwiches with fresh Italian bread, hogies, wraps, or ciabata bread for a different taste.

Open Faced Turkey Sandwich

Start with some really good toast. Rub a little garlic or butter on it if you’d like. Then, lay slices of turkey on it and cover with gravy. Heat up some left over stuffing and stick it in the toaster oven or your regular oven to give it a nice little crust and dinner is ready.

Turkey and Rice Soup

If you cooked a whole turkey, use the leftover bones from the turkey and throw them in a large stock pot. Cover them with plenty of water and add some onion, celery, carrot and salt and pepper. Bring it to a boil and boil for about 45 min.

Strain out the liquid, return it to the pot, add some rice and leftover pieces of turkey. Add any vegetables you like as well and cook until the rice and veggies are tender. Then eat some, and freeze the rest-remember that the dark meat has 3 times more fat per ounce than white meat turkey.