foodconsumer.org: Hearty Turkey Soup

Hearty Turkey Soup
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admin on 11/29/2009 14:59:00
 
By Rachel Stockton
Now that Thanksgiving is over, many of us are faced with a dilemma:  what to do
with turkey leftovers.  Fortunately, with the chill in the air it’s the
perfect time of year to make turkey soup.
You have a couple of options when it comes to the stock; by boiling the entire
turkey, bones and all, you will not only have more meat as it falls off of the
bone, you will have a wonderful homemade turkey stock to freeze for future soup
recipes.
However, this option takes quite a bit of time, which many of us don’t have. 
Between hitting the sales and getting our homes back in order after holiday
visitations, it’s hard to find a couple of hours to boil a turkey.   If
that’s the case in your home, chicken bouillon cubes work just fine.
The benefits of homemade turkey soup are myriad; after taxing our digestive
systems to the absolute limit over the holiday weekend, it’s nice to give our
bodies a rest by eating something soothing and mild.   Turkey soup is the
perfect comfort food, but without the calories of heartier soul soothers.  And,
in addition to providing mild medicinal advantages, chicken and turkey soup help
keep our bodies hydrated (WebMd).
Following are a couple of recipes, one that is entirely homemade, and one that
combines the wholesome taste of homemade soup with the convenience of prepared
soups.
If you decide to use homemade turkey stock, put the broth in the refrigerator
until the fat congeals and rises to the top, then skim it off for a
“slimmer” turkey soup.
Homemade Turkey Soup
2 cups chopped turkey
2 whole carrots
1 bunch green onions
1 TBS. Garlic powder
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can sweet corn, drained
Two stalks of celery, including leaves
6 chicken bouillon cubes
6 cups water
1 tsp. salt
If using turkey stock, use six cups and omit the bouillon and water, and add
more salt to taste.  Bring ingredients to a boil; simmer for thirty minutes to 2
hours, depending on how much time you have.  The longer the soup simmers, the
more flavorful it becomes.