Dietitian’s tip: Use the turkey leftovers from a holiday meal or family gathering to make a hearty turkey soup. To limit the sodium content, this recipe uses reduced-sodium chicken broth and unsalted canned tomatoes.
Ingredients
1 turkey carcass
4 cups water
8 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 large onions, 1 quartered and 3 chopped
1 cup diced rutabaga or turnip, peeled
1 cup chopped celery
4 carrots, peeled and cut into thin strips
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup pearl barley
1 can (14 ounces) unsalted tomatoes
1 can (16 ounces) white beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 pound leftover light turkey meat, cut into bite-size chunks
Directions
In a large stockpot, combine the turkey carcass, water, broth and quartered onion. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
Strain the mixture, discarding the carcass and onion. Chill the liquid in the refrigerator — overnight, if possible — and skim off the fat from the broth’s surface. Return the liquid to the stockpot.
Add the remaining ingredients to the broth mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook, covered, for about 1 hour.
Ladle into individual bowls and serve immediately.
