What's the best part about a holiday dinner? That's easy, "leftovers!" They're also a simple answer to the "What's for dinner tonight?" question. Of course, the simplest method of using leftovers is just to heat them up again. But where's the fun in that! With just a little creativity, you can create wonderful dishes from leftovers in minutes, since part of the cooking is already done.

That's one reason people often buy extra food for a holiday dinner or even for weeknight dinners. If you think of the phrase "cook once and eat twice," you have the right idea!

Try these ideas for using leftovers to create quick-and-easy meals and snacks. You'll save time and money.

• Finely chop raw veggies (from veggie platters, etc.) and fresh garlic, and add to whipped cream cheese to make veggie dip; spread on bagels or crackers.
• Toss leftover steamed veggies in your favorite oil and vinegar dressing for vegetable salad.
• Add leftover cooked or raw vegetables to soups and stews
• Toss raw leftover vegetables into stir-fries.
• Puree cooked vegetables, then heat and serve for an elegant and healthy soup (thin with chicken broth or milk as needed).

• Ham and Swiss cheese on rye bread is a classic sandwich combo, but don't stop there. Get creative! Try ham and Cheddar cheese with homemade chutney on whole-wheat bread, or sliced ham, sliced avocado and roasted red peppers on a hearty, country-style bread.
• Add chopped ham to lentil or split-pea soup, or, make a Tuscan-style soup with cannellini (white) beans, plum tomatoes, carrots, celery, cabbage, oregano and basil.
• Make ham salad for sandwiches; combine chopped leftover ham with reduced-fat mayonnaise, seasonings and finely chopped celery and onions.
• Add leftover ham to omelets.

• Make a Hawaiian-style turkey salad, toss leftover turkey, fresh or canned pineapple chunks, chopped macadamia nuts, coconut and raisins with just enough reduced-fat mayonnaise to moisten.
• Add cooked leftover turkey to stir-fried vegetables.
• Make "hot brown" sandwiches. Place a slice or two of turkey on a piece of toasted bread. Top with leftover gravy or cream of mushroom soup and grated Cheddar or fresh Parmesan cheese.
• Broil until turkey is hot and cheese melted. Top with a thin slice of tomato and two strips of cooked bacon, if desired.
• Use leftover turkey for fajitas, tacos or enchiladas.

Refrigerate perishable leftovers such as meat and poultry within two hours of cooking. Use within three to four days or freeze. Reheat leftovers to at least 165°F.

Planning for leftovers is a great technique to use year-round, but especially during the holidays. When you're planning meals, always think about "two-for-one" cooking. That might mean pork roast one night, then using the leftovers for sweet-and-sour pork the next night, for instance. Use the ideas described here as a way to spark your own creativity and make the most of your time in the kitchen.