Turkey Stoup- November Recipe of the Month

In spite of the name and the list of ingredients, this is really an interesting variation on stew or soup. Because the consistency really depends on what you've got in the fridge, it's not really stew or soup, it's stoup! So here goes...

You definitely need a crock pot, the rest of the list is up to you!

Friday or Saturday morning after Thanksgiving, open up the fridge and see what's in there. Turkey? Check. Gravy? Check. Cranberry sauce? Check. You get the idea. It's basically a recipe that uses up the bits and bobs leftover after everyone has had their fill of turkey and stuffing sandwiches. Did I mention stuffing? If there's any left, throw that in the crock pot as well.

Is there anything I usually leave out? Oh yes! No broccoli. No green beans. No salad. You've still got some of that green bean casserole leftover? Serves you right. Who eats that stuff anyway?

Here's a typical list of what might go into the pot on Saturday morning:

• Turkey (cut into chunks)
  
• Stuffing (yeah, like there's ever any stuffing leftover!)
  
• Gravy
• Cranberry sauce
• Carrots
  
• Mashed potatoes (with garlic!)
• Onions (those little pearl onions are perfect)
• Celery
• Sweet potatoes (not if you put marshmallows in them)

Pile it all in there with the celery and carrots on the bottom and add enough chicken broth to make it stoup-y. With the stuffing and potatoes you don't need any flour or other thickeners. Heat until bubbling. Enjoy with some crusty bread.

Kids seem to really like this so get them involved. You may hear this, but continue on anyway: 'Ewww, Mother, you're not putting cranberry sauce in the stew? Oh, you ARE? Neat.' (Yes, my kids call me 'Mother' and they used to say 'neat'.)

Bon appetit!