Turkey or Chicken Noodle Soup

This is the absolute best recipe for turkey (or chicken) noodle soup ever!...at least I think! To clean the leeks, chop them first and then add them to a large bowl of water and swirl them around, drain and repeat till cleaned. Dirt likes to hide in the leeks. A salad spinner works awesome too for cleaning them.  My family likes really thick soup so I always add the larger amount of egg noodles.  Do the amount that your family likes.  The original recipe calls for 8 oz.  -Kristin

1 T. olive oil
2 leeks, cleaned well and chopped
2 large carrots, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 celery stalk, chopped
3-4 c. leftover turkey or chicken, cubed
2-3 bay leaves
1 t. thyme
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
8 c. chicken broth
8-12 oz. egg noodles
1 c. frozen peas

Heat oil and saute veggies. Add rest of the ingredients except noodles and peas. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low, partially cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Bring back to a boil and add egg noodle, cook for 10 minutes, till just tender. Stir in peas and cook additional 1 minute longer.