Smokey Turkey and Dirty Rice Soup

While trying to store something in the pantry just before Thanksgiving, I noticed a box of Zatarains Creole Dirty Rice Mix that had been taking up space for a long time and I made a mental note to toss it later.  Then, the next day I read the recipe from Chris at Nibble Me This, using the dirty rice and leftover turkey for one of his favorite soups.  Since it was cold here after Thanksgiving and we had everything on-hand but the red kidney beans, we made up a batch.  Please check Chris' blog for the original recipe and his usual great photo.

Smokey Turkey and Dirty Rice Soup – Adapted from Nibble Me This

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter (mine was salted)

1/4 cup diced green bell pepper

1/4 cup diced white onion

1/4 cup diced celery

1/4 cup diced carrot

1/4 cup all purpose flour

8 cups homemade poultry broth - warmed

8 oz package Zatarains Dirty Rice Mix (with seasonings)

3 cups chopped turkey

2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp dried oregano

hot sauce to garnish if desired

Instructions:

1. Preheat a stock pan over medium high heat and melt butter.  Sauté veggies for 5 minutes, until starting to turn tender.  Season with a little salt and pepper while sauteing.  
2. Sprinkle in the flour and stir until blended into a light roux (about 1-3 minutes).

3. Whisk in 1-2 cups of broth gradually while constantly whisking until the roux is well combined into the liquid.  Stir in the rest of the broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

4. Stir in the Dirty Rice Mix and continue simmering for 25 more minutes.

5. Add the turkey, kidney beans, thyme and oregano and let simmer for 15-25 minutes longer.

6. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed.

Ours turned out a darker than Chris' as I used roasted turkey stock for the liquid.  Bev said "this is good, actually, it's really good" and I agreed.  So if you have a box of dirty rice mix taking up space at your place, you now have a use for it and if not, you may want to pick up a box and rotisserie chickens for an easy week-night meal.  Thanks Chris for a delicious dinner.

Photos best if enlarged by clicking on them.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

12/1/13 meal date