After broccoli casserole, cranberry nut roasted brussel sprouts, sweet potato fries, cashew kale chips, almond flour chocolate chip cookies, and two turkeys, we are stuffed! Yet, I am still thinking about food and what we need to do with the leftover turkey. Trader Joe’s had a sample of some lentil soup the other day and my kids went crazy for it. I have never used lentils and for myself I don’t eat them, but wanted to make a warm hearty soup my family would love so we came up with this Turkey Lentil Soup. Here is what you need:
- leftover thanksgiving day turkey, of course!
- 2-3 handfuls of spinach
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 large stalk celery, chopped
- about 3/4 bag of carrots (I used the snack size bites bag because it was in the fridge)
- 1 large can of crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups lentils (or a 16 oz. bag)
- 8 cups of organic chicken (or vegetable) broth
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 1 tbsp basil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp butter
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
Start by slicing up all of the vegetables. The boys wanted to help put the things in the blender today and help. This sweet little guy whom I absolutely adorable was a great helper. Especially with his comments of “I love this Mrs. Voigt”, “This smells so good Mrs. Voigt”, and even an “I love you Mrs. Voigt”. Oh Roby!! Fran I may have to keep him!
Once everything is blended, add 2 tbsp of butter in a large soup pot, add in veggies and garlic and stir until soft. Then add in soup, lentils, tomatoes and spices. Cook on low for at least an hour (the lentils need to cook awhile so they can soften), but that’s it!
I don’t know much about lentils or kinds but we used these from Trader Joe’s…
This went really well with our squash chips!!
So before your turkey (or chicken) rides off into the sunset, be sure to make good use of those leftovers!!