Friday, November 23, 2007

Turkey Rice Soup with Braised Peanuts

It's the day after thanksgiving, and after chasing the Black Friday shopping craze at 4 am this morning, I'm back to the warmth of my kitchen, and cooking up that turkey carcus.Yes, you read it correctly. It was that big turkey we had yesterday, minus as much meat as possible (do try to save that turkey wishbone if you can). Simply break it apart to managable pieces, and cook it in some water for a couple of hours to make rich turkey broth. Strain it through a sieve into another pot, add 1 to 1 1/2 cup rice to it, some seasonings, and you have yourself some yummy good turkey porridge/congee or 'RICE SOUP' as my kids called it.

I added some soft soy-sauce braised peanuts that was cooking in the slow cooker since last night, and topped it with hand-shredded turkey meat and a scattering of scallions and a drizzle of sesame oil. A heart-felt, soul-warming, belly-comforting, light lunch on a shiver-in-your-bones kind of cold, cold day for the kids and me.

Braised Peanuts adapted from Amy Beh
250g peanuts (use the bigger type), preferably soaked overnight

3g tong kwai (optional)

2g liquorice stick (kam chou), optional

1g mandarin peel (used one piece)

1 star anise

3cm cinnamon stick (used one stick)

1 tsp chopped garlic

Seasoning

2 tbsp light soy sauce

1 tbsp Premium oyster sauce

1 tsp salt

1 tsp thick soy sauce

1/4 tsp black pepper

40-60g cane rock sugar (found in asian markets)

Method
Rinse soaked peanuts and drain well in a colander. Combine tong kwai, liquorice stick, mandarin peel, star anise, cinnamon stick, garlic and water in my electric pressure cooker and bring to a boil using the browning button. Then I added the peanuts and seasoning. Start the pressure cooker on high for 20 to 30 mins. depending on your pressure cooker and preferance for the softness of the peanuts. Or you can put it in the slowcooker instead.

May also serve peanuts as an appetizer before a meal or even as a snack.

As for my dear hubby, he enjoyed his leftover feast his way.And of course, he had his greens too...if you look really hard, you can see that green baby spinach under the pile of shredded cheddar cheese. Or not?

14 comments:

Cynthia said...

Love what you did with your left overs.

Please tell me that you are kidding and did not do the 4 a.m. shopping?!

Little Corner of Mine said...

Guess what? M came over and gave me a big bowl of turkey porridge cooked by her hubby. According to her, it's her hubby after Thanksgiving tradition. Can't wait to eat it tonight! :)
Oh yeah, they are at my house watching a movie in the basement now...LOL!

Nora B. said...

That congee must had tasted so delicious. I should try braising the peanuts with soy sauce as you have. I don't know why I don't make congee that often even though I love it - so nourishing.

Anonymous said...

I would be eating the leftovers the way your husband did too. Don't care of congee much, but love the braised peanut addition.

SIG said...

Wow, amazing, you come back from a holiday to prepare all this scrumptious stuff. Fantastic job!

MADHU RAO | (INDImag.COM) said...

A very nice site. Will keep returning. I love cooking, have not blogged about it though; Maybe I will soon, thanks to you...

Big Boys Oven said...

I love porridge........so yummy!

East Meets West Kitchen said...

Hi Cynthia,
Thanks! LOL! Things I do to get 50percent off some toys.

Hey C,
Glad that M finally came over, and cooked you some porridge. Yes, it's a tradition here too. Why arn't you watching the movie with them? ;)

Hi Nora b.,
Yes, that soy braised peanuts did add a wonderful taste to the porridge. Thanks!

Hi Anon,
Haha! Not everyone's fond of congee like me, but glad you liked the braised peanuts!

Hi Singairishgirl,
LOL! Thanks!

Hi Athreya,
Thanks for visiting, and hope to see more of you. Will hop over to your site next!

East Meets West Kitchen said...

Hi Big Boys Oven,
Yay! Another porridge lover!

daphne said...

haha.. those braised peanuts makes me dream... I'm so lazy, I just pop open a can of the peanuts instead of braising it all by myself.

And what lovely ways of using the leftovers! great!

Dwiana P said...

Leftovers turkey is always good for soup. I don't have any leftovers though as I didn't cook turkey LOL. Yep I visited my mom in law.
Anyway the soup looks just wonderful in this kind of cold weather.

East Meets West Kitchen said...

Hi Daphne,
Those canned ones are so convenient too! I made my own, cause one can isn't enough for me. LOL!

Hi Diwana,
Yay! You had turkey at your MIL's. Mine's not in town, so I had to make my own. LOL!

Anonymous said...

Can I share the rice soup with you? :P
I really want a bowl now!!!!

Cris said...

I thought it was arugula when I first looked at the last picture. You did a great job with leftovers!