2012 Foodland Ontario Calendar - January (Turkey Pasta Soup)

Have you gotten your hands on the 2012 Foodland Ontario Calendar yet? I hope so! It really looks awesome this year; partly due to the fact that the pictures (front & back covers) were photographed by Jesse from another blog that I follow called 'Crackers - A Homemade Blog'. Here's a link to their post showing how/where the pictures were taken: http://homemadecrackers.blogspot.com/2011/11/2012-foodland-ontario-calendar.html .

Last year I blogged my way through all 12 of the recipes in the calendar and I plan to do the same again this year. There are a few recipes that I'm looking forward to making; like Fresh Greenhouse Pizza (April), Strawberry Breakfast Parfait (June), Grilled Lamb Chops with Peach Mint Salsa (August), and Steamed Apple Maple Pudding (December).

Here's the first recipe of the year - Turkey Pasta Soup

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 Ontario onion, diced
• 2 each Ontario Carrots and Parsnips, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup sliced Ontario mushrooms
• 8 cups sodium-reduced chicken broth
• 2 cups diced cooked Ontario turkey
• 1 cup alphabet pasta or thin noodles
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• pinch pepper
• 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley

Luckily I did remember to freeze some of my leftover turkey from Christmas dinner for this recipe. Chicken could easily replace the turkey, however (obviously).

In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Stir in onion, carrots, parsnips and garlic; cook, stirring, until vegetables are slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in mushrooms for 1 minute.

Add broth, turkey, pasta, thyme and pepper; cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes. Serve sprinkled with parsley.

The soup was really good. Honestly though, you just can't go wrong with soup; it's a great way to use up leftovers, it's easy to make, and it's so comforting on a cold winter day.

Next month's recipe for February will be a Pork & Vegetable Stovetop Stew.

**If you wish to view the online version of the calendar you may access it here: http://www.foodland.gov.on.ca/english/calendar/2012/index.html

**If you'd like to view my blog entries for last year's calendar click on the 'Foodland Ontario' label on the left side of the page or view them by following this link: http://southwesternontariofoodie.blogspot.com/search/label/foodland%20ontario