Monday, January 6, 2014

Turkey(or Chicken) Noodle Soup

Every year at Thanksgiving and/or Christmas, I make turkey noodle soup.  After we clean the meat off the turkey, I put the turkey carcass and bones in a large soup pot with some seasonings and vegetables and simmer them and make a delicious broth.  I then make soup from that broth.  It's tradition and just part of the holidays for me.  I know I'm not the only one.  But in case you haven't done it before, here's the how to.

Turkey Noodle Soup
1 turkey carcass
About 2-3 cups leftover chopped turkey meat (You can use a rotisiree chicken carcass and meat instead and make it any old time.  It is delicious!)
Carrots, maybe 4 or 5, sliced
Celery stocks with leaves, maybe 4 -5
2 onions, one for before and one for after
Chicken flavored Better than Bouillion
Pepper
1/2 bag really good noodles (or 1 cup dry, washed rice)
2 cans cream of chicken soup, optional

As mentioned above, put the turkey carcass in a large soup pot.  You can put whatever bones you'd like.  I usually put the drumsticks and wings in as well.  Cover with water.  Add a chopped onion and a glob of Better that Boillion, chicken or turkey flavor. I also chop up some celery and leaves.  Celery adds so much flavor. Put on low on the stove and simmer.  I usually simmer it the rest of that day, then put the pot outside (it's cold out there) for the night, then bring it in in the morning and simmer it all that day.  It probably doesn't have to be that long, but that solves the "where do I store this thing?" problem.
A half or so before you want to eat, strain the soup into another soup pot through a strainer(or you can strain it into a large bowl, then put it back in the same pot.)Pick any meat off the bones and add back.  Discard the carcass.   Add another chopped onion, carrots, celery and more boillion. Add in at least a couple of cups of chopped leftover turkey (Or chicken). In a smaller saucepan, cook the noodles until not quite done.  Strain them and add them.  You can then add cream of chicken soup if you want it more creamy, but I usually just leave it with that delicious broth. You can also add leftover gravy at this point, if you'd like.  You can make the same soup with rice instead of the noodles.  I just add the dry rice in and let it cook in the soup. That makes it Turkey Rice Soup instead of Turkey Noodle Soup.  Taste and add pepper and salt if needed.  Serve with leftover rolls or bread.

1 comment:

Michelle said...

This is PERFECT. I am cooking a turkey tomorrow, and now I know just what to make this weekend! THANK YOU! You were inspired to post this.