Turkey Noodle Soup - Step 3

 

Okay, if your house is now full of yummy turkey broth smell and your soup broth looks a rich golden like the above picture,  you're ready for the next step.  

1. Take the broth off the heat and let it cool for a little bit.  Then remove the bones and vegetables.  

I like to place a colander in a bowl so that the broth that drips out of them can be collected and put back in the pot.

2. I dump the bones etc back into my now clean turkey pan and once again pick through it for meat.  You can see I collected a bowl full from these bones.

3. Next I strain the broth one more time through a fine strainer to get the small pieces out. 

You should just have nice golden broth now.  You will probably have enough for several meals.

Next, I will show you how to finish off the soup and prepare the extra broth for the freezer.

Go Here for Turkey Noodle Soup - Step 4

Turkey Noodle Soup - Step 2

Let's start with the ingredients and other things that you will need to make to soup.

1 Very large pot.  I used an 11 quart pot and had the carcass from a 13lb turkey.  If I had my normal 20lb turkey, I would have used 2 pots.  If you have a larger pot that's good too.  Use what you have or borrow one from someone.

1 Turkey Carcass

Giblets (if you still have them)

The pan that is holding your turkey (don't wash it yet!)

2-3 Onions

Celery stalks

3-4 carrots

1 bag - good quality- extra-wide or dumpling style egg noodles. 

(I recommend Muller's extra wide or dumpling noodles - if you can get them.  I can't find them in Indy but they are the best.  I do NOT recommend Aldi noodles for this because their noodles seem to break into pieces.

Water

Here is a step-by-step for the soup with pictures!

1. To get started, pick any remaining meat off the bones of your turkey.  You can save this meat to add later to the soup.  Put in the fridge for now.

2. Place turkey bones, skin, fat and any scrap pieces into large pot.  Break apart larger sections if necessary to fit into pot.  Keep in mind that the flavor is in the fat and skin.  You can cool your broth and remove the fat later if you choose.  I do not suggest that you try to "lighten" the recipe by omitting the fat and skin at this point because you will lose a lot of flavor!

3. Pour a few cups of boiling water into the pan and bag or foil that was holding your turkey.  You will be surprised at the juices you will see surface!  

4. Then pour the juices into the large pot.

5.  Add the Giblets to the pot if you still have them uncooked.  I cooked mine up on Thanksgiving Day and so I will just add the broth from them to the soup when it is done.

6. Chop several onions, celery stalks and carrots and add to pot.  Make the pieces large so they are easy to remove later.  

7. Fill pot with water, bring to  low boil, turn to low cover and simmer for several hours or all day!  I cook mine ALL DAY.  The longer it cooks the more flavorful.  I would recommend at least 3 hours but if you can let it go 6 - 8+ that's fine too.  Just make sure it isn't cooking too fast.  I put mine on a very low temp.

You have most of the work done now.  You can enjoy the wonderful smells that will be filling your home.  

I will post this afternoon and show you how to finish your soup.   Please leave any questions or comments.

Go Here for Turkey Noodle Soup - Step 3.

Turkey Noodle Soup - Step 1

Turkey Noodle Soup is a family tradition in my home.  As a kid, I always waited for the time after Thanksgiving or Christmas that mom would get out the bird and make this favorite.  Fast forward 30+ years, and now I'm the mom and my family anxiously awaits the traditional pot of soup!

There is really no better soup on the planet - that's big statement isn't it!  But really, ask my family, or those friends who have come to love this tradition.  It is the ultimate in comfort food! Hot and flavorful and thick with noodles. And unlike many comfort foods, it is good for you too. 

Turkey Noodle Soup is also very economical.  It is made from the part of the turkey that many people throw away - the bones.  I can usually get 3 - 5 dinners (for our family of 4) from those turkey bones - depending on the size of the turkey. I would estimate that all those dinners cost only around $5 - 7  total, for the additional ingredients needed, some of which are probably  in your fridge already!

So today I will be sharing our family tradition of Turkey Noodle Soup.  I hope it makes you hungry and that you will try this at home!

I will be stopping back to post through out the day to take you step by step through this recipe! So, gather your biggest pot, your leftover turkey carcass, some onions, celery, and carrots and join me for Turkey Soup Day!

Go Here for Turkey Noodle Soup - Step 2.

Goodwill 50% off Sale, This Saturday 12-6-08

50% Off Store wide Sale Scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008.

All central Indiana Goodwill stores will have a 50% Off Store wide Sale on Saturday, Dec. 6.

All 50% Off Store wide Sales, which offer half off all used goods at 38 central Indiana stores, run from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 

New goods are not included in the sale, and the sale is not valid at the Goodwill Outlet Stores.

To find a Goodwill near you go here.

This is a great sale, but expect the store to be crowded and to wait a bit to check out.  We've gotten furniture for very little $ at this sale previously.  This would also be a great time to look for kids clothes.

Menu Planning Monday

I know this is an important week to menu plan because we are so busy - but that is when it is the hardest too! So I'm going to try my best here and see how it goes!

Weekly Menu:

Monday:  Eat out.  I have to be out tonight and I am meeting my husband after work to drop of the kiddies so he will just pick up something for them all.

Tuesday: Turkey Noodle Soup.  If you are not in the habit of making soup from your turkey carcass please stop back tomorrow and check out my blog!  I will show you how.  This is my family's #1 favorite meal in the whole world - seriously!  It is soooo easy and good!

Wednesday: Chicken and rice casserole with broccoli

Thursday: Italian Vegetable Beef and Lentil Stew.

Friday:  Pizza

Saturday:  Chili from the freezer

Sunday: ?  I can't think that far right now!

If you want more Menu Planning ideas go here.

Kmart Super Double Coupons Sale - up to $2 coupons!

Kmart is having another Super Double Coupon Sale.  It is running through Saturday 12/6/08.  

I have found great things for free or almost free at this sale.  If you are in need of reasonable priced items for Christmas gift baskets it might be worth checking out.

A few items you might be able to snag for free or almost free:

Revlon Nail Polish

Body Wash

Glade Candles

These things make nice additions to gift baskets.  I've gotten the small Glade candles for free before.  You can peel the sticker labels off and tie on a pretty ribbon.  It makes a nice hostess gift also.

I haven't confirmed that the East Washington Street, Indianapolis,  Super K is participating - but in the past they always have participated.  I'll let you know when I find out.

Kmart's Rules:

• 4 identical coupons/ items per order
• 75 coupons total per order
• No Internet printed coupons
• Coupon only doubles to the price of the item - no overages

I have learned a few things from these sales too:

• Always watch as they scan your coupons!
• If the coupon is for more than 1 item it will only double to the price of 1 item.  Ask them to correct the amount and give you full credit for the double coupon.  They have always been able to do this if I ask nicely!
• Do multiple transactions if you have more that 4 of one item.
• Pull the high $ coupons to the front of your envelopes so you can look easily.

Walgreens $5 off $25 coupon for 12-1 & 12-2

In honor of "Cyber Monday" (and Tuesday), Walgreen's has released a coupon good for $5 off $25.  This coupon is good in store or online.

I haven't check the weekly ad yet to see if there are any good deals, nor have I checked the Monthly rebate items. If you see any good deals let me know.  I will try to post more later if there are good items worth going to get.