VAL'S TURKEY-RICE CHOWDER; Coalinga-CA

Val's Turkey-Rice Chowder; YUMMY!

It was 35-degree's here, this morning, when I woke up 😱 Not quite freezing, but pretty darned c.o.l.d.

I woke up with a sore throat, a headache, whiplash fallout form sneezing since Thursday afternoon; & and a sore rib cage from coughing all night long 😟

I don't feel on top of the world today 🌎: I don't feel much of anything right now, but sore from throat to waistline (what little bit of my short torso can be considered 'waistline' notable). I am definitely moving in slo-mode today 🐌

I wanted something soothing to swallow - microwaved frozen turkey stock sounded wonderful ☕️; but I knew my body needed more nourishment than that to heal ⚕️ effectively … so, I made a hot cup of tea (for immediate sore throat relief), then pulled together some ingredients on hand to make a slap-dash turkey chowder 👨‍🍳 

#Mushrooms are good to add to this chowder - but, I didn't have any; and I didn't feel like exchanging my comfy Pj's for presentable clothing, to drive into town to grab some; but if you have some in your 'fridge, add them!

Val's Turkey-Rice Chowder ~serves 3-4

1 c. Turkey meat, cooked & diced * 2 TBSP. Olive Oil * Garlic, 2 cloves - minced * 1/2 Red Onion, sliced * 1/3 c. Long Grain Rice, raw * 1 med. Carrot, ends trimmed & grated * 1/2 c. Green Beans, frozen * 1/2 c. Celery, sliced w-leaves * 1 medium Potato, peeled & grated * 4-1/2 c. Water * 1 c. Turkey or Chicken Stock * 1/2 tsp. Herbs de Provence * 1 TBSP. Parsley, fresh & snipped thin * Lime Zest, small amount - julienned (or a squirt of lime juice) - both optional

4-Qt. Soup Pot ~ Chopping Board ~ Kitchen Knife ~ Vegetable Grater ~ Garlic Press ~ Vegetable Peeler ~ Measuring Cups & Spoons ~ Cooking Spoon ~ Soup Ladle ~ Soup Mugs & Silverware

1) Prepare veggies & set aside; measure spices - if using lime zest, place into a tea ball (this will be removed at serving time).

Sliced celery & shredded carrot, potato; spices.

2) Pour the oil into your soup pot; add garlic, onion & rice - cook on medium-low heat 7-10 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally to prevent browning.

Olive oil, garlic, onion & rice; cook until tender.

3) Add veggies & meat to garlic-onion-rice mix: mix thoroughly:

Add veggies & meat to softened garlic, onion & rice mix.

4) Add water, stock, and spices - blend. Bring the mixture to a boil; lower heat low and simmer soup about half an hour, or until veggies are soft cooked & meat is heated through.

Add spices; stir, lower heat & simmer about half an hour.

This soup was nutritiously hearty, warm & soothing on a sore throat; and satisfying to the tongue & stomach  - the rice is a good thickening agent 😊👌

The rice is a good thickening agent.