Lost Dishes: Pelican's

Pelican's: Turtle Soup

Thomas Pisani was Pelican's chef. He was best known for his turtle soup, A cup of the soup, prepared in the Pelican’s kitchen in a two-day process, emerged thick, dark and succulent.

Bessie Laskaris Careklas was the sister of Nick Laskaris, Pelican's second owner. She worked at Pelican's, alongside Thomas Pisani, and passed on the basics of his turtle soup recipe to her niece and nephews.


Turtle Meat	Turtle Soup

Turtle Soup

Source: Bessie Laskaris Careklas

Ingredients

Turtle meat
Beef stock
Tomatoe puree or sauce
Cornstarch
Flour
Cider vinegar
Butter
Chicken fat
Hard boiled eggs, finely chopped (a fair amount)
Celery, finely chopped
Carrots, finely chopped
Onions, finely chopped
Garlic, finely chopped
Parsley, finely chopped
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Kitchen Bouquet, at the end for coloring
Sherry, to taste

Preparation

Simmer at low heat for one or two days. Serve with sherry.