Italian Turkey Soup

Picture and Recipe (slightly modified) from: http://ourbestbites.com/2008/11/italian-turkey-soup/

Ingredients:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 lb ground turkey (I use Italian turkey sausage)

1 small onion (about 3/4 C) diced

4-5 garlic cloves, minced

1 T Dry Italian seasoning

Salt & Pepper

1 can (15oz) canned diced tomatoes

2 cans (15oz) white beans, drained and rinsed

2 cans (or 1 box) chicken broth

1 tsp. dry oregano

1/4 tsp. dry basil

1 T dried parsley (or about 1/4 C fresh)

4-6 C fresh spinach

Fresh Parmesan cheese

1.   Pour a couple swigs of extra virgin olive oil (1-2 T) into a large stock pot. Turn burner to med-high heat.

2.   When oil is nice and hot, add diced onions, minced garlic, and ground turkey*. Stir to combine and add the 1T dry Italian seasoning, along with about 1/2 t salt and several turns of black pepper. Cook until turkey is completely cooked through. When you’re browning ground beef or turkey for soup it’s important to cook it all the way through before adding the liquid or it will end up mushy.

~If you want to cook this via slow-cooker, place the turkey mixture in the crock pot now and continue. Although, you may want to hold off adding your beans until about 15 minutes before you’re ready to eat or they might turn to mush in there.~

3.   Add in canned tomatoes (including all the juice), the drained beans, and the chicken broth. Add oregano and basil and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and simmer for at least 10 minutes, and up to 20.

4.   While soup is simmering chop spinach. Add in spinach and parsley and stir until wilted. Also, additional salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

*This soup is also good with some pasta added (we use about 1 cup of bowtie). If you add it directly to the soup you will need more chicken broth and allow time for the noodles to cook before adding the spinach. I prefer to cook the pasta in a separate pot and let those who want it add it to their own bowls. This way it can be a low carb meal for some still but the pasta makes the soup more appetizing for some kids (and adults). We really like it without and with the pasta.

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