Advent Day 18: Italian Turkey Soup

Leftovers.  If you're anything like me, your meals are often artistically or gastronomically created from leftovers:  what will taste good with this?  What do I have in the cupboard or freezer?  What can I substitute for this ingredient or that?  Will the kids eat this, or should I try that instead?  This is one of those very forgiving recipes that allows you to substitute what you have for what the recipe calls for.  And with the upcoming Christmas meals, you're likely to have some leftover turkey or chicken or even roast goose in your refrigerator that you're not quite sure what to do with.

I'm reminded of the number of times in the Bible that angels came calling unexpectedly, and needed to be fed.  The example of hospitality in particular this morning comes from Abraham and Sarah when they were visited:

The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day.  He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant.  Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.  Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.”  And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.”  Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it.  Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.  (Genesis 18:1-8)

By this example, unexpected guests should be made comfortable, able to rest, clean their feet, and eat.  Maybe this example will help:

ITALIAN TURKEY SOUP

(From Leigh Anne Wilkes
of Your Home Based Mom)

Ingredients

• ½ box pasta I used Ditalini or a short macaroni type pasta
• 2 C shredded turkey or chicken
• 4 C chicken broth
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• ½ onion chopped
• 1 green pepper diced
• 1 whole jalapeno seeded and diced
• 2 stalks celery diced
• 2 15 oz. cans petite cut tomatoes
• 1 can water
• 1 C heavy cream (Optional)
• 1 tsp dry oregano
• 1 tsp dry basil
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to directions. Be sure and cook it al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. In a frying pan add olive oil, onion, celery, green pepper, jalapeno and saute until tender.
3. In a large soup pot combine chicken broth, water, shredded turkey or chicken, tomatoes with their juice and sauteed vegetables.
4. Add in herbs. Salt and pepper to taste
5. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Add in pasta and cream.