Turkey and Shell Pasta Soup

So how's everyone??? I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas celebration! Though I terribly miss my family back in the Philippines, I had a wonderful Christmas and birthday celebration with Ryan and the girls, and our close friends. Two days of good food with good friends is priceless!

Now, we're having some quality family time watching movies, playing our favorite games, reading books together and enjoying leftover holiday food. (",) I haven't been cooking since Christmas Eve...but last night, I decided to make this soup from our leftover turkey. It's like the Filipino Macaroni Sopas which is such a delicious and nutritious soup that is cooked with meat(chicken, beef or pork), veggies, milk and pasta. Instead of the usual elbow macaroni, I used Pappardelle's calypso blend shell pasta which is a combination of Lime Gnocchi Shell, Mango-Peach Sea Shell, & Red Southwestern Chile Lumache. We just love the flavor the pasta added to the soup. We ate it with some sourdough cheese sticks. Such a perfect combination for a cold winter night! Definitely, comfort in a bowl!
 

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. shell pasta or elbow macaroni, uncooked (I used Pappardelle's Calypso Blend Shell Pasta)
• 2 cups flaked or chopped leftover turkey meat (or chicken)
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 medium sized carrot, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 4 Tbsp fish sauce
• 14 cups turkey broth (I used the turkey carcass to make the broth) or chicken broth
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 can evaporated milk or full cream milk
• Salt & pepper to taste

Procedure:

1. In a large sauce pan, over medium low heat, saute garlic in olive oil until light brown. Add onion and sauté until translucent. 

2. Add turkey, carrots, celery and bell pepper. Saute for a minute or two.

3. Add turkey broth and fish sauce. Bring to a boil. Add shell pasta. Cover the pot and reduce heat.

4. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently until pasta is done.

5.  Stir in milk. Add salt and pepper to suit your taste.

6. Remove from heat. Transfer in individual serving bowls. Serve with your favorite crackers.