Sherried Turtle Soup Recipes

TURTLE SOUP

Steps:

• Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large soup pot over medium to high heat. Brown the meat in the hot butter, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until liquid is almost evaporated. Add the onions, celery, garlic, and peppers, stirring constantly, then add the thyme, oregano, and bay leaves, and saute for 20 to 25 minutes, until the vegetables have caramelized. Add the stock, bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, periodically skimming away any fat that comes to the top.
• While the stock is simmering, make a roux in a separate pot: Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter over medium heat in a small saucepan and add the flour a little at a time, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Be careful not to burn the roux. After all the flour has been added, cook for about 3 minutes until the roux smells nutty, is pale in color, and has the consistency of wet sand. Set aside until the soup is ready.
• Using a whisk, vigorously stir the roux into the soup a little at a time to prevent lumping. Simmer for about 25 minutes. Stir to prevent sticking on the bottom.
• Add the Sherry, bring to a boil, add the hot sauce and the Worcestershire, and simmer, skimming any fat or foam that comes to the top. Add the lemon juice and tomatoes, and return to a simmer. Add the spinach and the chopped egg, bring to a simmer, and adjust salt and pepper as needed. This soup freezes well.

TURTLE SOUP

Steps:

• Put the turtle meat in a large saucepan with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne and the water.
• Bring to a boil.
• Skim off any foam that rises to the top.
• Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20 minutes.
• With a slotted spoon transfer the meat to a platter.
• Cut the meat into 1/2 inch dice and reserve the liquid.
• In another large sauce pan, combine the butter and flour over medium heat, stirring constantly for 6 to 8 minutes to make a dark roux.
• Add the onions, shallots, bell peppers and celery.
• Stir occasionally and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender.
• Add the bay leaves, thyme and garlic, cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and the turtle meat.
• Cook for 5 to 6 minutes stirring occasionally.
• Add the Worcestershire sauce, the remaining salt and cayenne, the turtle stock (about 6 cups) lemon juice, and sherry.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the parsley, green onions, and eggs and simmer for 45 minutes.
• Garnish with green onions and chopped eggs.