Turkey and Escarole Soup

One of the best things about winter is comfort food. My all-time favourite types of minestrone/ soups And here's another one! Ingredients For the Soup: 4 quarts watercarcass of turkey. 2 pounds escarole, washed. 2 cups pulled turkey meat 1 medium onion, chopped. 5 cloves garlic. 4 bay leaves. 3 stalks celery, chopped. 1 cup chopped carrots. 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped. 3 medium potatoes, cubed. 14 ounces crushed tomatoes. 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil,salt & pepper. Directions In a large pot add the extra virgin olive oil, the onion, the garlic, the carrots, the celery and bay leaves. Add salt and pepper as desired. Saute` all the ingredients for about 5 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Add the water, the potatoes and the crushed tomatoes. Add the turkey carcass and the turkey meat. Cover the pot and boil for  about 1 hour. Add the escarole. Once the escarole are cooked to your liking, add parsley and serve with some parmigiano cheese if you like. cookingwithnonna.com Foodie Fran's Notes: when soup is done, add parmesan cheese and 1 beaten egg. I found a big difference in taste!

Acini di Pepe Pastina in Vegetable Soup.

When you're just in the mood, this soup and so quick and easy, but most important, so delicious!Serves 4. Ingredients: 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil1 small onion, cut into a 1/4 inch dice2 small carrots, cut into a 1/4 inch dice1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved1 10oz bag frozen peas4 cloves garlic, sliced1 large potato, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks8 cups water2 chicken bouillon cubes 8 ounces Ancini di Pepe Pastina. Directions: Put a stockpot over a medium flame and heat the oil. Add the onion & carrots and tomatoes. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add in the peas, garlic and potatoes and cook until the peas have thawed, about 3 minutes. Add the water and bouillon cubes and bring the pot to a boil. Add in the ancini di Pepe and cook until tender. Serve with a drizzle of fresh extra Virgin olive oil and crusty Italian Bread. Add a sprinkle of grated cheese if desired. cookingwithnonna.com