Gluten-Free Louisiana Turtle Soup

Ingredients:

1/2 pound turtle meat, diced (substitute with lean beef if unavailable)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
4 cups gluten-free beef broth
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Optional Garnish:

Chopped fresh parsley
Lemon wedges

Instructions:

In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

Add the diced turtle meat (or lean beef) to the pot and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the meat from the pot and set it aside.

In the same pot, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables become tender.

Return the cooked turtle meat to the pot with the sautéed vegetables.

Pour in the gluten-free beef broth and add the bay leaf. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Bring the soup to a simmer and let it cook for about 30-40 minutes until the turtle meat (or beef) becomes tender and the flavors meld.

Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Remove the bay leaf and discard it.

Serve your gluten-free Louisiana Turtle Soup hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley and lemon wedges if desired.

Enjoy your savory and comforting Gluten-Free Louisiana Turtle Soup! It's a flavorful and unique soup that's a specialty in Cajun and Creole cuisine.