Unboring Turkey Leftover Soups

            Assemble all your ingredients. Lemongrass makes this truly authentic, if you have access to it. Remove outer tough covering from one stalk, then finely dice the lower portion (discard the rest). If you don’t have lemongrass, substitute 3 slices of fresh lemon. Remove the zest from one lime (it’s a substitute for the more authentic but hard to find kaffir lime leaves), squeeze the rest for juice. Peel and grate a chunk of ginger about the size of your thumb. One cup of sliced mushrooms, fresh shiitake if you can find them. One Thai chili (small, red, hot as the devil), minced (or substitute 1teaspoon Asian chili sauce, ½ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes, or a pinch of cayenne). Slice 3 green onions, white part and the tops. Slice 3 fresh basil leaves into ribbons (or a big pinch of dried). Cut a colorful bell pepper into thin strips. Remove the stems from a big handful of cilantro, chop the leaves. Dice some leftover turkey into spoon-size pieces, and you’re done chopping.