Name: Turkey-Vegetable Soup
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 1 servings
Ingredients: 2 medium onions, chopped; 2 medium carrots, halved and thinly sliced; 2 celery ribs, chopped; 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 4 cups water; 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained; 1/2 cup frozen peas; 1 bay leaf; 4 teaspoons sodium-free chicken bouillon granules; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, optional; 1/2 cup uncooked whole wheat orzo pasta; 2 cups cubed cooked turkey breast; 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

Something to be thankful for: turning leftover holiday turkey into this delicious turkey-vegetable soup. Chock-full of herbs, vegetables and orzo, it’s perfect for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

2 medium onions, chopped

2 medium carrots, halved and thinly sliced

2 celery ribs, chopped

1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

4 cups water

1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained

1/2 cup frozen peas

1 bay leaf

4 teaspoons sodium-free chicken bouillon granules

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, optional

1/2 cup uncooked whole wheat orzo pasta

2 cups cubed cooked turkey breast

1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

Instructions

1 Cook the vegetables

2 In a large saucepan, saute the onions, carrots, celery and red pepper in oil until tender. Add the garlic, and cook for two minutes longer.

3 Make the soup

4 Add the water, tomatoes, peas, bay leaf, bouillon, basil, thyme, cumin, pepper and, if desired, pepper sauce to the pan. Bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

5 Cook the orzo

6 Meanwhile, cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain. Editor's Tip: You want to keep the orzo a bit al dente so it retains some structure in the soup.

7 Combine everything

8 Stir the orzo and cubed turkey into the soup, and heat through. Discard the bay leaf. Ladle soup evenly into serving bowls. Top the bowls of soup with a sprinkle of cilantro, and serve.