Turtle soup is a delicacy dish in the southeastern United States, where these animals are not difficult to find. This strong-tasting meat pairs perfectly with a thick tomato sauce and lots of flavorful herbs and spices. If you've never tried to cook it, go for it. It's simple to make, like chicken soup, and its special taste is unforgettable. To get started, read step 1.
Ingrediants
- 500 g of turtle meat
- 2 and a half teaspoons of salt
- 3/4 tablespoon of cayenne pepper
- 6 cups of water
- 1 stick of butter (250 g)
- 1/2 cup of flour
- 1 large white onion
- 1 large shallot
- 1 red pepper
- 1 stalk of celery
- 3 bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 2 tomatoes
- 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice
- 1/2 cup dry sherry
- 1 handful of parsley
- 3 spring onions
- 4 eggs
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare the Ingredients
Step 1. Buy high quality turtle meat
The quality of the meat is crucial as it will determine the final result of your soup. Make sure you buy top quality turtle meat from a trusted retailer. In some markets you may find it fresh, but if you are in a place where turtles are not commonly eaten, as is usually the case in Italy, you can buy it frozen or have it delivered to your home. Do your research and buy it from a reputable company.
Do some research as turtle meat may contain toxic metals and other elements that are harmful to health
Step 2. Before you start cooking, defrost the meat at room temperature
If it's frozen, thaw it slowly in the fridge. Put it on the work surface about half an hour before starting to cook or when it reaches room temperature. In this way it will cook evenly inside.
Step 3. Cut the vegetables
Turtle soup is usually accompanied by a variety of vegetables that make it more flavorful. When the meat is defrosting, start preparing them.
- Peel and cut the shallot into small pieces. Use a third of a cup.
- Peel and cut the onion. You will need about 1 1/2 cups.
- Cut the pepper (about a cup).
- Cut the celery (half a cup).
- Peel and cut the garlic (2 tablespoons).
- Chop the parsley and spring onions. You will use them later to decorate the soup.
Step 4. Boil the eggs
Boiled eggs are a traditional topping for turtle soup. Put them in a saucepan and cover them with cold water. Boil the water, put the lid on the pot and turn off the stove. Cook the eggs in hot water for 10 minutes, rinse them with cold water and peel them. Cut the eggs into pieces and set them aside.
Step 5. Squeeze the lemon juice
Slice a fresh lemon into four wedges and squeeze them. Fill ¼ cup of juice and set aside to add to the soup.
Method 2 of 3: Cook the Meat
Step 1. Put the meat and spices in a pot with water
Take a saucepan and put in: the meat, 1 teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and 6 cups of water. Put the lid on and turn on the stove over medium-high heat.
Before adding the meat to the soup, it must also be well cooked inside. If it is undercooked, it may contain potentially dangerous bacteria
Step 2. Boil the water, reduce the heat and start cooking over low heat
Cook the meat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Use a spoon to remove any foam that will form on the surface.
Step 3. Move the meat to a platter
Drain the water in a bowl (do not throw it away) and put the meat on a tray. Before touching it, let it cool for a few minutes. Save the liquid for later, you will need it to flavor the soup.
Step 4. Cut the meat into cubes
Use a sharp knife to cut the meat into bite-sized pieces. Since turtle meat tends to be quite tough, cut the cubes so they can be chewed comfortably. Set the tray aside.
Method 3 of 3: Making the Soup
Step 1. Make a thickener for sauces
Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. Add the flour and stir constantly with a wooden spoon. Keep stirring until you get a thick golden and lightly browned sauce. It should be ready in 5 minutes. This thickener for sauces will be the base of the soup and give it a velvety texture.
Step 2. Add the chopped vegetables
Mix onion, shallot, red pepper and celery in the thickener you just prepared. Stir the mixture occasionally and continue to cook the vegetables for about 5 minutes. When they are tender and the onion is transparent, it means that they are ready.
Step 3. Add the herbs
Put the bay leaves, garlic and thyme in the pot. Keep stirring and cook the mixture for another 2 minutes or so.
Step 4. Add the tomatoes and turtle meat
Mix all the ingredients and stir for another 3 minutes or so to lightly cook the tomatoes.
Step 5. Add the spices and broth
Add the turtle broth you saved earlier, the salt, and the cayenne pepper to the pot. Add the lemon juice, sherry, and Worcestershire sauce. Lower the heat and simmer for another 10 minutes.
Step 6. Garnish the soup and serve it
Using a ladle, serve the soup into bowls. As a side dish, put the chopped hard-boiled eggs, parsley and spring onions on the table. It is delicious with steamed rice.
Advice
This dish goes very well with fresh bread with crust
Warnings
- To avoid salmonella, make sure the meat is clean and well done.
- As many turtle species are endangered, it is important that you ensure that the animal has been sustainably captured before purchasing meat.
