Turkey Frame Soup

Here's how to get another delicious meal from that holiday bird using your noodle and its frame.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 meaty turkey frame
8 cups water
1 large onion, quartered
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
Chopped cooked turkey (optional)
1 (16-ounce) can tomatoes, cut up
1 tablespoon instant chicken bouillon granules
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, basil, marjoram, or thyme, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 cups (any combination) sliced celery, carrots, parsnips, or mushrooms; chopped onion or rutabagas; or broccoli or cauliflowerets
1 1/2 cups medium noodles

Cooking Directions:

1. Break turkey frame or cut in half with kitchen shears. Place in a large Dutch oven or kettle. Add water, onion, and garlic salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours.
2. Remove turkey frame. When cool enough to handle, cut meat off bones; coarsely chop. If desired, add more cooked turkey meat (enough to equal about 2 cups total). Set meat aside. Discard bones.
3. Strain broth through a sieve lined with 2 layers of 100-percent-cotton cheesecloth; discard solids. Return broth to Dutch oven. Stir in undrained tomatoes, bouillon granules, herb, and pepper. Stir in vegetables. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Stir in noodles. Cover and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes more or until noodles are done and vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in cooked turkey; heat through. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings.

Make-Ahead Tip: For individual servings, prepare soup and freeze in 1 1/2-cup freezer containers, leaving a half-inch head space. Seal, label, and freeze up to 1 month. To serve, transfer 1 portion of frozen mixture to a small saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Recipe and photograph provided by Better Homes and Gardens - BHG.com a member of the Home and Family Network for the best of cooking, gardening, decorating and more. © 2003 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved.