I can barely think of food today. After our Thanksgiving feast yesterday I am still.so.full. You’d think after feeding 18 people there would be no more food left over, but oh contraire! Our two refrigerators are still as packed as my belly.

The perfect light meal that knocks out some of that left over bulk is the classic day-after-Thanksgiving meal: Turkey Soup. I promise, a nice warm bowl of this will calm that overstuffed tummy.

Turkey Soup
You could also substitute chicken. Want it even lighter? Make it without noodles.

1-1/4 pounds boneless turkey meat
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 large cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoons dried thyme
1/4 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 quart homemade broth from turkey carcass
1 cup water
2 carrots cut into thin rounds
1 cup small pasta (such as shells or bowties)
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Handful of fresh spinach
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Heat butter and oil in large pot and add the onion, garlic, thyme, basil and rosemary.  Saute on medium heat until onions begin to brown, about 5 minutes.

Increase heat to high, add broth and water and bring to a simmer.  Add carrots and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.

Add the pasta and celery and cook until just tender, about another 5 minutes.  Then add turkey meat and spinach.  Stir in parsley and lemon juice.

Makes 6 servings.

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Sometimes life throws us for a loop. Recently I was tossed high and far and landed with a resounding thud. I’ll spare you the gory details, but the good thing is I’m getting back up on that big ole horse and damn him if he bucks me off again.

One thing I know for sure is this: there is nothing more healing to your body and soul than friends and family and the soothing food they bring. I nursed for days on my Aunt Mimi’s delicious chicken noodle soup (I’ll get you her recipe later) and her homemade bread.  The best part about her soup? The little star-shaped noodles, which made me smile – if even just a little – with every bite.

That’s loving care.

And my dear friend Tracy, who has not only brilliantly stepped in as a new food writer on Foodista (talk about getting thrown into the fire! And don’t worry, you’ll still be seeing a lot more of her), but who took the time to prepare her wonderfully delicious pho for Barnaby and me. And that broth takes a lot of time.

That’s loving care.

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