Yes, I am already planning what to do with turkey leftovers. In our house, we love loading plates up throughout Thanksgiving weekend, but there's usually lots of turkey remaining while everything else disappears much quicker. So, let's say it's Friday after Thanksgiving, do you...

a) sleep all day to recover?

b) go shopping with the hoards of people racing to get Black Friday deals?

c) start to decorate for Christmas?

d) throw dinner in the crock pot and then decide? 

Let's assume you had enough of standing in the kitchen on Thursday (or if you are like me, Wednesday too cooking all the side dishes), so why not give yourself a well deserved break. It's the perfect time to toss some simple fresh ingredients into a crock pot, turn it on for six hours, walk away, and enjoy the day whatever you decide to do. And if you are eager for a different flavor, this hearty dish will hit the spot, hot out of the pot, even if you spend the day on the couch watching the last season of Breaking Bad.  Feast on wholesomeness that gives the gobble-gobble a spicy second call...

Que Pasa Taco Soup

9 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 cups black beans, rinsed
2 1/2 cups diced tomatoes
2 1/2 cups corn
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 cups sliced mushrooms
3 tablespoons McCormick taco seasoning (more or less to taste)
3 cups cut-up or shredded leftover turkey*
fresh cilantro

(*I have made this recipe originally with three full chicken breasts, but for our purposes here, turkey is the perfect replacement. You can make it either way.)

1) Pour all ingredients into a ceramic crock pot. Cut in the fresh cilantro. Mix. Cover, and set on low for 6 hours. Walk away. That's it!
Once it's finished, when you lift the lid, the aroma will be divine... Grab a bowl and enjoy with some warm tortillas, top with a sprig of cilantro and even a dollop of sour cream if you like. This soup is very satisfying, hearty, yet light, and will certainly leave room for you to enjoy another slice of leftover apple pie... maybe even with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.