Turtle Soup

Turtle Soup is a hearty and flavorful dish that offers a “snappy” combination of cayenne pepper and lemon juice. This recipe, created by Dave Wood from New Jersey, showcases the use of turtle meat in a delicious and satisfying soup. Traditionally considered a delicacy enjoyed by the wealthy, turtle soup has a long history of being served at special occasions.

This recipe takes advantage of the tender turtle meat, simmered in a flavorful broth with onions, bay leaf, cayenne pepper, and salt. The slow simmering process ensures that the meat becomes tender and infused with the rich flavors of the broth. The soup is further enriched by the addition of tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, chicken broth, and hard-cooked eggs.

Served steaming hot with a side salad and fresh bread, Turtle Soup can be enjoyed as a satisfying and comforting meal. The combination of flavors and textures in this soup will warm your taste buds and provide a unique and memorable dining experience.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1⅓ pounds turtle meat
• 4½ cups water
• 2 medium onions
• 1 bay leaf
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1¼ teaspoons salt
• 5 tablespoons butter, cubed
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons tomato puree
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ⅓ cup chicken broth
• 2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

PREPARATIONS:

1. In a heavy 4-quart saucepan, bring the turtle meat and water to a boil. Skim off any foam. Chop one onion and set it aside. Quarter the other onion and add it to the saucepan along with the bay leaf, cayenne pepper, and salt. Cover and simmer for 2 hours or until the meat is tender.
2. Remove the turtle meat with a slotted spoon and cut it into ½-inch cubes. Set the meat aside. Strain the broth and set it aside.
3. Rinse and dry the saucepan, then melt the butter over medium-high heat. Cook the chopped onion until tender. Add the flour and cook and stir until bubbly and lightly browned. Whisk in the reserved broth and cook and stir until thickened. Reduce the heat and stir in the tomato puree and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
4. Add the chicken broth, chopped hard-cooked eggs, lemon juice, and turtle meat to the saucepan. Simmer for 5 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.

YIELD:

Makes 4-6 servings.

PREP/COOK TIME:

Preparation: 25 minutes. Cooking: 2¼ hours.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Skim off any foam that forms on the surface of the broth to achieve a clearer soup.
• Strain the broth to remove any impurities or unwanted particles.
• Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference, adding more cayenne pepper for extra heat, or adjusting the salt and lemon juice to your liking.
• Serve the soup hot, allowing the flavors to meld together.

TIPS:

• If turtle meat is unavailable or not preferred, you can make a mock turtle soup using alternative ingredients such as beef or veal.
• Pair Turtle Soup with a side salad and fresh bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Adjust the thickness of the soup by adding more or less flour to the roux, according to your desired consistency.

In conclusion, Turtle Soup offers a flavorful and hearty dining experience with its “snappy” combination of cayenne pepper and lemon juice. This recipe, created by Dave Wood from New Jersey, showcases the use of turtle meat in a traditional and rich soup. Once considered a delicacy reserved for special occasions, turtle soup has found its way into more common culinary practices.

By simmering turtle meat with onions, bay leaf, cayenne pepper, and salt, the soup develops a robust and flavorful broth. The addition of tomato puree, Worcestershire sauce, chicken broth, and hard-cooked eggs further enhances the taste and texture of the soup.

Served steaming hot, Turtle Soup makes for a satisfying and comforting meal. Enjoy it alongside a salad and fresh bread for a complete dining experience. The combination of flavors and textures will leave you fully satiated and craving more.

While turtle meat may not be readily available or preferred by all, you can adapt this recipe by using alternative ingredients such as beef or veal to create a mock turtle soup.

So gather your ingredients, follow the simple preparations, and savor the unique flavors of Turtle Soup. Transport yourself to a time when this soup was considered a delicacy, and relish in the culinary traditions that have made it a part of our gastronomic history.