Because nobody wants to eat Christmas dinner three days running.
There's something lovely about opening the fridge on Boxing Day and finding it full of good food. The hard work is done, the pressure is off, and you've got the beginnings of several brilliant meals.
But there's only so many times you can serve another plate of cold ham with the Christmas trimmings.
For me, the trick is to stop thinking of leftovers as another Christmas dinner and start thinking of them as ingredients.
A little seasoning, a good condiment and a few pantry staples can turn yesterday's Christmas ham into something completely different.
Here are four easy ways to make that ham go further, without spending hours back in the kitchen.
1. Ham, Eggs & Kedgeree-Spiced Crispy Potatoes
Ready in 15 minutes | Perfect for Boxing Day brunch
This might be my favourite way to use Christmas leftovers.
Take those leftover roast potatoes, chop them up and fry them in a little oil and butter until golden and crisp.
Add a sprinkle of Peak & The Pantry Kedgeree Seasoning to give them a lovely warming, savoury flavour.
Serve with slices of Christmas ham, a fried egg with a runny yolk and a generous spoonful of Pineapple & Chilli Relish.
The combination of crispy potatoes, warm spices, salty ham and sweet, tangy pineapple is rather wonderful.
And the best bit? You've already done most of the cooking.
Get the full Ham, Eggs & Spiced Potatoes recipe
2. Ham, Cheese & Pineapple Quesadillas
Ready in 10 minutes | Perfect for a quick lunch
Ham and pineapple might divide opinion on pizza, but I'm firmly in favour.
Especially when there's melted cheese involved.
Take a flour tortilla, add grated Cheddar or whatever cheese you've got left from Christmas, a handful of shredded ham and a spoonful of Peak & The Pantry Pineapple & Chilli Relish.
Fold it over and cook in a frying pan until the tortilla is golden and crisp and the cheese has melted.
Cut into wedges and serve with a little extra relish for dipping.
It's a brilliant way to use up both the Christmas ham and the remains of the cheeseboard.
Get the full Ham, Cheese & Pineapple Quesadillas recipe
3. The Ultimate Christmas Ham & Cheese Toastie
Ready in 10 minutes | Perfect for a lazy afternoon
Sometimes you don't need a recipe. You just need a really good sandwich.
Take two slices of decent bread, add plenty of leftover ham and a generous handful of cheese.
A little mustard is lovely here, or try a spoonful of Pineapple & Chilli Relish for something sweet, tangy and gently spicy.
Butter the outside of the bread and fry until golden, with the cheese melting into the ham.
Serve with a few pickles or crisps.
Simple, comforting and exactly what I want to eat between Christmas and New Year.
4. Ham, Pineapple & Sprout Fried Rice
Ready in 15 minutes | Perfect for an easy dinner
This is a lovely way to turn leftover ham into something that doesn't feel remotely like Christmas dinner.
You'll need some cooked, chilled rice, chopped ham, Peak & The Pantry Pineapple and Chilli Relish, leftover sprouts (or peas), a little oil and soy sauce.
Heat a wok or large frying pan, add the ham and pineapple and let them take on a little colour.
Throw in the sprouts/peas, followed by the rice, and stir-fry until everything is piping hot.
Finish with soy sauce and some chopped spring onions if you've got them.
No complicated sauces, no long ingredient list. Just a quick, satisfying dinner made from what's already in the fridge.
If you're using leftover rice, make sure it was cooled quickly, refrigerated promptly and used within 24 hours. Only reheat it once.
Can You Freeze Leftover Christmas Ham?
Absolutely.
If you've got more ham than you can eat, don't leave it sitting in the fridge until everyone is thoroughly sick of it.
Slice or dice it into useful portions, pack into freezer bags or airtight containers and freeze promptly.
It's brilliant to have ready for future toasties, fried rice, omelettes and quick pasta dishes.
For refrigerated cooked leftovers, follow the product's storage instructions and generally aim to eat them within 48 hours or freeze them sooner.
The Secret to Making Christmas Leftovers More Interesting
I always think a good pantry earns its keep at Christmas.
A spoonful of relish transforms a simple cheese toastie. A little kedgeree seasoning gives leftover potatoes a completely different personality. And a packet of tortillas or some rice can turn a few bits from the fridge into a proper meal.
You don't need to cook another enormous dinner.
You just need a few good ingredients and a little imagination.
That's what Peak & The Pantry is all about: making good food easier, helping ingredients go further and bringing a little more flavour to everyday cooking.
More from the pantry
Roast once. Eat twice. Make good food go further.
