Leftover Turkey Soup

This soup is so easy to make within a few days after you have a turkey dinner.

After you have finished cleaning the meat off the bird and storing for other uses, refrigerate the bones (carcas) over night or for a couple of days. I will usually cook the neck with the turkey, but hold it out just for the soup.

In the morning sometime within the next couple of days, grab a large soup pot (with a lid) place 6-8 cups of water on to boil. Remove your turkey bones (carcas) from the refrigerator and place in the pot. Cover the pot with the lid and reduce the heat to a simmer. (it is OK if your bird is not totally covered with water) Let simmer for 4-6 hours. (bird will be submerged in the water at this point and if you try to stir it, it will fall apart)

Grab a colander and a large bowl. (large enough to hold all the liquid from your pot. Place the colander over the large bowl and CAREFULLY pour all of the contents from the soup pot into the colander. The colander will hold all the meat and bones. Place the colander onto a plate to catch any extra juices that may fall.

Pour the broth from the bowl back into the pot and place over medium heat. While the turkey bones are cooling, dice 1 large onion, 4 stalks celery and 4 carrots. Place in the broth and stir to blend. Add 1 tablespoon of chicken boullion. Let simmer for 5 minutes and taste. If you need to season a bit more add a bit of salt. Wait 5 minutes and taste again. Repeat with salt process to taste.

Place the lid on the pan and let simmer while you carefully begin to pull the meat from the bones. I will leave the trash can out and next to my right leg. I will grab a bone and pull the meat off with my left hand and drop the bones into the trash can on my right. Place the meat in a bowl. Once you have cleaned all the bones, gently pull the meat apart in the bowl checking for any missed bones. Place the meat into the pot and let simmer.

At this point the choice is yours. You can add dried pasta (about 2 cups) and cook according to package directions. Or you can make up some dumplings to cook in the broth.

Either way your family will appreciate the special treat!