Soup's On!

We finally finished off the majority of the meat from our Christmas turkey yesterday so this morning brings the making of the soup! I only learned how to make a decent stock last year, thanks to a chef friend in Tennessee who gave me his secret tips on bringing out the best flavor from the carcass. Now I think I look as much forward to simmering my stock as I do eating the actual turkey hot from the oven!

Nothing quite says love on a frosty winter day like a steaming bowl of homemade noodle soup. It also sits at the top of my list for cold and flu remedies--well, minus the noodles for the flu...A nice bowl of broth does wonders for a weakened, dehydrated body, and soothes and comforts a stuffy, miserable, cold beleaguered head. Simply holding yourself over the fragrant steam rising from the bowl and drinking in the warming aroma can begin to make you feel better almost immediately. Love cures all...

So I've filled my big roasting pan with one emaciated turkey carcass, a few chopped carrots, one quartered onion, a couple bay leaves, Jane's Crazy Pepper and a good bit of kosher salt, peppercorns, and garlic. Covered it all in cold water and set it to boil on the stove top. I know, I know...I don't have any celery in the house....hoping that won't affect the end result too much. I can always add celery when I make the actual soup. That's what I'm telling myself, anyway.

The house smells divine right now. The windows in the kitchen are blurred with the steam rising from the roaster. I'll let the stock simmer for a few good hours, then strain everything and pull the remaining meat from the turkey bones. I have four or five containers waiting to be filled with the stock and stored in the freezer for use later this winter, though one will be served up for dinner tonight (better stop and get that celery after lunch today!) Mmmm--I can't wait! Nothing says love like a bowl of homemade noodle soup!

Did someone say soup??

Happiest feet ever in my new Yaktrax Cozy Socks!!