The Holidays are generally ridiculous crazy. I’m sure I’m not the only one in that boat. And after the holidays there are often times when I end up sick or just feeling sluggish. But I usually try to come to my own rescue by planning ahead during the holidays. The first thing I do (preferably during the holidays) is freeze the extra turkey in cubes–perfect for salads or soup. I also make turkey stock and freeze it. It’s an easy process and the benefits are reaped big time later.
I never thought I’d be that way. It was late in my life that I finally learned to cook, and I really tho
ught I’d never be the type to consider planning, cooking, and creating
my meals anything more than a chore. Nowadays, I consider creating a stock and freezing chopped turkey sortof a way to be creative. Trust me when I say the oddity of that change is not lost on me.
On a cold January night when I’m simply not feeling a heavy meal or maybe when I’m not feeling super great, I pull out that frozen turkey and stock and make homemade turkey noodle soup. It may take about an hour to actually cook, but the process is really easy and the payoff is worth it. There really isn’t anything in this world as comforting to a winter cold as homemade turkey (or chicken) noodle soup to chase away a winter flu or even the Winter blues.
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Yellow Onion
- 4 Cloves of Garlic
- 3 Carrots
- 2 Stalks of Celery
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
- ½ Cup White Wine
- 2-3 Cups Cubed Turkey or Chicken
- 8 Cups Turkey or Chicken Stock
- 1 Bay Leaf
- 1 10 oz. Package Frozen Peas
- 1 16 oz. Box of Corkscrew Pasta (I use the rice pasta)
- Salt and Pepper
- Chop Garlic, Onion, Carrots, Celery.
- Heat Oil in the bottom of a large stock pot. Add Garlic and saute for 1 minute.
- Add Onion and saute for 2-3 minutes until soft.
- Add Carrots, Celery, and Thyme and saute another 3 minutes. Add Wine.
- Add Stock and Turkey or Chicken and Bay Leaf. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat.
- Simmer soup 20-25 minutes until flavors are blended.
- Add Pasta. Continue to simmer until Pasta is al dente.
- Add Peas and continue to simmer until heated through.
- Serve
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