Bia Kid Recipe for Xmas Turkey and Vegetable Soup

In order to make maximum use of your Christmas Turkey and left over vegetables, here is a tried and tested recipe for Xmas Turkey and Vegetable Soup. Make it while watching an old movie in the kitchen while the kids are busily trying out their new toys!

Turkey Stock

1 stripped turkey carcase
1 large onion, peeled and cut into chunks
1 leek, outer green leaves removed and sliced
1 peeled and chopped carrot
6 black pepper corns
3 - 4 sprigs parsley
1 sprig thyme
1 green stick celery, chopped
2 litres water

Put all of the ingredients into a large saucepan, bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 ½ hours. Strain the liquid into a large bowl or jug and discard the rest of the ingredients

Makes approx 1.5 litres stock

Xmas Turkey and Vegetable Soup

200 grammes chopped turkey meat (brown meat works well here, a great opportunity to use up the meat that some children don't like the look of, but won't notice in the soup, and to add to flavour!)
100 grammes stuffing - this adds a lot of flavour to the soup
1.5kg mixed vegetables - any combination of vegetables will work in this soup. As a golden rule, use 4 - 5 different vegetables so that no one flavour dominates and to add to variety. As a suggestion:
2 peeled and chopped carrots
1 peeled and chopped parsnips
1 chopped leek
1 peeled, de-seeded and chopped butternut squash or small pumpkin
1 small cauliflower, cut into small florets
1 peeled and chopped potato or sweet potato
2 tsp thyme leaves, stripped from the stalk
2 tsp parley, stripped from the stalk and chopped
2 crushed cloves garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
1.5 litres stock
Pinch black pepper

Sautee the onion and garlic in the olive oil, add the root vegetables, cover and sweat over a low heat for 5 minutes. Add the herbs, turkey, stuffing and stock, bring to the boil and then reduce the heat and simmer until the vegetables are soft. Allow to cool slightly then puree the soup in a liquidiser or food processer until smooth.