Turkey Soup & Dumplings

INGREDIENTS

Turkey Stock –

Turkey bones

1 onion, coarsely chopped

2 carrots, coarsely chopped

1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped

1 small bunch of herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage and parsley

Water

Soup –

2 tbsp butter

1/2 cup chopped carrots

1 medium onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, pressed

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

4 cups of the turkey stock you just made

1 cup apple juice or cider

1 1/2 cups chopped (raw) potatoes

1 tsp coarse salt 1 tsp fresh chopped thyme

2-3 cups cooked chopped or shredded turkey

1 cup half-n-half or cream

Dumplings –

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

1 1/4 cup buttermilk (add a tbsp of vinegar to half-n-half or cream)

DIRECTIONS

TO MAKE THE STOCK:

1. Remove any excess skin and fat from the bones. Make sure to remove any turkey meat you hope to use for another purpose; any meat left on the bone will be very tough by the time the stock is done.

2. Place the turkey bones in a large stock pot and add vegetables and herbs. Add enough cold water to cover all of the bones.

3. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 4 hours, adding more water as needed to keep the bones covered.

4. Occasionally skim the surface of the stock with a spoon to remove any “scum” that may develop as it cooks.

5. Pour stock through a fine mesh strainer. If desired, you can further strain out impurities by passing stock through a coffee filter.

6. Pour into quart-sized containers and store in the fridge for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to several months. Or use right away!

TO MAKE THE SOUP:

1. In a large pot melt the butter over medium heat.

2. Add the carrots, onion and garlic and stir until soft and onions are translucent, about 5 minutes.

3. Add flour and stir until vegetables are coated.

4. Slowly pour in the turkey stock while whisking until it’s all incorporated.

5. Add the apple cider, potatoes, salt, pepper and thyme. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until potatoes are just starting to tenderize.

6. Stir in the turkey and milk/cream.

TO MAKE THE DUMPLINGS:

1. While the soup is simmering, prepare the dumplings.

2. Mix the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.

3. Add the buttermilk and stir just until no streaks of dry ingredients remain, do not over mix.

4. Drop the dumpling batter by 1/4 cupfuls on top of the soup. Try to evenly space them, but it doesn’t need to be perfect.

5. Cover the pot with the lid so that there’s a 1-inch opening and simmer for 15 minutes until dumplings appear dry on top and are cooked all the way through.

6. Serve soup immediately, store leftover in the fridge for up to 1 week.