Thanksgiving Recipe: Tantalizing Turkey Soup with Dressing

When I was growing up, my mom would always make the best soup the day after we had a turkey dinner, such as Thanksgiving. Her Turkey Soup was sensational. Everyone loved it. This family tradition ultimately evolved to where my mom would delegate the soup-making to my dad, while we would go shopping for all the good deals, only to come home to a steaming, tantalizing bowl of soup which compliments every fresh turkey sandwich. Family and friends who would come visit us around the holidays would rave about this delicious soup and ask for seconds.

I believe they especially liked the extraordinary twist of putting leftover dressing/stuffing in their soup instead of noodles. We would place some dressing into our individual bowls instead of adding it into the large pot of soup. My mom would purposely make an extra large recipe of stuffing knowing that we would use it for our traditional formula. Till this day, anytime I think of dressing, I cannot help but think of turkey soup as its logical accompaniment.

Over the years, I have changed around my mom’s recipe a bit by adding cream to the soup. Actually, I like the cream of turkey soup even more!

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 cups of water
• 4 servings of chicken stock (better than bouillon) or you can use the gelatin from the roasted turkey.
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 3 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced (optional)
• Mushrooms (optional)
• Seasonings according to taste: parsley, basil, oregano, garlic, onion, and peppercorns or pepper.
• Leftover turkey meat cut into bite size chunks. (at least 2 cups)
• About ¾ cup fat-free cream (optional)
• Leftover dressing/stuffing
• In a large pot, add water and stock or gelatin.

{Note: After having refrigerated the leftover turkey left in its juices, you will see a gelatin form that has solidified. This gelatin may be used in place of the commercial bouillon. If you use the gelatin, add salt added according to your taste.}

Bring to a boil and begin to add the spices first. Then add onion, celery, carrots, mushrooms, and turkey. Boil until vegetables are tender. Simmer with lid left ajar. Add cream about 15 to 20 minutes before serving (optional). Place desired amount of dressing in bowl. Ladle hot soup over the top. Enjoy!

P.S. Once you learn how to make this recipe, you might want to teach your spouse the trick so you can go shopping and come home to a warm surprise.