Best Ever Homemade Turkey and Rice Soup, The

Ingredients

1st Stock

3 Turkey necks
2 Turkey wings
1 Yellow Onion peel left on and cut in half
1 clove Organic Garlic smashed with skin on
2 stalks Organic Celery cut in half
1 large Organic Carrots cut in half
2 sprigs Thyme
1 sprig Sage large
6 Black Peppercorns
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt

2nd Stock

1 Turkey carcass broken in half (or repeat with turkey necks and backs)
1 Yellow Onion peel left on and cut in half
1 clove Organic Garlic smashed with skin on
2 stalks Organic Celery cut in half
1 large Organic Carrots cut in half
2 sprigs Thyme
1 sprig Sage large
6 Black Peppercorns
6 cups Turkey stock made from night before with fat removed and heated
3 cups Long Grain Rice cooked and at room temperature

Basil Pesto

1 bunch Basil
1/4 cup Pine Nuts toasted
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup Olive Oil

Directions

Place the turkey wings and necks along with the next 8 ingredients into a crockpot and cover with water almost to the top of the ceramic container. Set heat to cook for 10 hours.

Let cool and remove veggies, wings and necks discard. Place stock in bowl and cover with wax paper, then refrigerate overnight.

2nd Stock

Place the turkey carcass into the crockpot and add the next 7 ingredients and stock made from the night before along with enough water to fill the container to the top. Cover and cook for 10 hours, then remove the carcass and veggies and discard.

Soup Assembly

Place cooked rice and stock into a bowl. Let sit for a few minutes and then add shredded turkey meat (preferably thigh and leg meat; room temp. or heated until slightly warm). Adjust salt, and top with chopped thyme and sage. Serve immediately.

Basil Pesto (optional) Preparation

Place basil, pine nuts and cheese in a blender and pulse until coarsely chopped. In a slow, steady steam with the blender running on a low speed, pour the olive oil in until basil mixture is pureed. Remove basil mixture into a small bowl and set aside.

Notes:

Do not use converted or basmati rice.

If you want a more traditional Turkey and Rice Soup, omit the basil pesto and add steamed carrots and celery slices to the soup bowls along with the rice and meat.