Turkey Vegetable Soup: And NOW what do I do?

My kids say it to me all the time.  NOW what do I do?   Especially when they are bored or just looking for ways to drive me nuts.  Here are the top 10 things I say to them in return.

10.  Go to the bathroom.

9.  Help mommy clean up the living room.

8.  Help mommy clean up the kitchen.

7.  Go brush your teeth and your hair.

6.  Clean your room.

5.  Practice piano.

4.  Do some extra math pages.

3.  Clean off your desk.

2.  Clean up your toys.

1.  Go read a book.

Rarely do they listen to this list of things I ask them to do.

I'm hoping my blog readers are better listeners than my children.  I know that they are thinking, now that the turkey is done, what do I do with the leftover bones?  STOP.  Don't throw it away.  Make SOUP!  I'm telling you this soup will just knock your socks off!  Especially now that we are in the colder months, there is NOTHING like a bowl of great vegetable soup to make you feel good inside and out.

It's not hard to make, but it does take a bit of time.  But do not be daunted.  Try and you will succeed!!

Turkey Vegetable Soup
Serves 12-14

Ingredients
Serves 8

For the stock
4 quarts water
2 carrots, whole peeled
3 celery stalks, whole
1 large onion, outer skin removed
3 garlic cloves (optional)
1 bay leaf
1 leftover turkey carcass (meat, bones, skin all good)

For the soup
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 carrots, diced
6 celery stalks diced
1 large onion, diced
12 oz green beans, cut into 1 inch pieces
12 oz of broccoli florets cut into bite sized pieces
12 oz of cauliflower florets, cut into bite sized pieces
15 oz can of crushed tomatoes or chopped tomatoes
1 cup of basil, roughly chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Method
In a large pot, put in water, carrots, celery stalks, onion, bay leaf, garlic cloves (optional), and turkey cacass.. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer, covered, about 45 minutes. Remove turkey carcass from broth and set aside to cool, so that you can remove the remaining meat and shred it.

Heat a another large pot over medium heat. Add oil, carrots, celery and onions. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, and saute until onions are translucent. Add about 3 quarts of hot broth. Add green beans, broccoli, cauliflower and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil and reduce heat, simmering for about 20 minutes, until vegetables are tender. If the turkey carcass had leftover bits of meat, shred it and toss it into the soup. (optional) Add basil and allow soup to cook for an additional minute or two.. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve some and freeze some so you always have some on hand..

Printable recipe

Nothing beats the combination of soup and sandwich.