Making the most of holiday leftovers

Holiday time means turkey, and turkey usually means leftovers. Now you can jazz up roast turkey and watch it disappear. The Reuben Tortilla offers another opportunity to savor the holiday leftovers. It's easy to make, and thanks to sauerkraut, it's healthy.

A Reuben Tortilla uses four 8-inch whole wheat tortillas, softened; 1/2 cup fatfree Thousand Island dressing; 4 ounces cooked turkey and/or pastrami or corned beef; 4 slices Swiss cheese; and 1 cup well-drained sauerkraut.

Spread each tortilla with 2 Tbsp. dressing. Top with 1 ounce turkey, 1 slice cheese and cup sauerkraut. Fold opposite edges of tortilla over to cover filling. Roll up from one unfolded edge to the other, forming wrap sandwich. Microwave each 20 to 30 seconds or serve at room temperature. Serves four.

Sauerkraut contains chemical compounds thought to prevent several types of cancer including colon, lung, and breast cancers.

A Michigan State University women's health study observed that girls who ate four or more servings of sauerkraut per week during adolescence were 74 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than those who ate l i t t l e or no sauerkraut.

Once the leftover turkey and Reuben Tortillas are gone, take advantage of sauerkraut's versatility and use it during your next holiday party as an ingredient in contemporary hors d'oeuvres such as KrautStuffed Mushroom Caps. Also, sauerkraut juice can be used to mix dirty martinis and Bloody Marys.

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.