1/5/11

Cooking 101 - Sausage, Kale & Potato Soup


If you need a hearty winter comfort soup, THIS IS IT!!!



This. Is. SO. Good.  Especially with BFF Kadie's bread
When I want something good to eat, I go check out Kadie's blog - she's always got exactly what I want on there.  That's where I found this soup and I absolutely had to try it.

I did mine a little differently - but the general idea is the same.  This soup reminds me of Zuppa Toscana at the Olive Garden, but I actually think this one is better.   {squeal!}  I doubled my recipe because I wanted a big pot, so here's my version:


SAUSAGE, KALE & POTATO SOUP

2 T olive oil
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 -1/2 t. crushed red-pepper flakes (depends on how spicy you like it)
5-7 large potatoes cut into small, 1/2 inch chunks (I used red potatoes)
1/4 c. fresh chopped Italian parsley
6 c. chicken broth (6 c. water + 3 Tbs. chicken base) 
1 bunch kale, stemmed and shredded (about 3-4 c. shredded)
1.5 - 2 lbs. Italian sausage, casings removed
1/3 c. heavy cream (optional, but wonderful!)

In a large pot, heat oil over medium. Add onion and cook until soft.  Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook until fragrant.   Add the potatoes, parsley and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat.  Simmer until the potatoes are tender, 10-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, brown sausage until it's no longer pink.  Set aside.

In a blender, or with an imersion blender, puree half the soup. Return to the pot and add kale and sausage. Simmer until the kale is wilted about 10-15 minutes.  Add heavy cream.  You don't have to use all of it if  you don't want. Salt & pepper as needed

Makes about 8-10 generous servings.


8 comments:

Lynaya said...

Sounds yummy! I love soup. Soup is my favorite part of winter.

Brooke said...

Looks so good! I might just have to give this one a try!

Katiebee said...

this looks so yummy! it's going to be to make list~ thanks for sharing~

Anonymous said...

Better than Olive Garden Zuppa Tuscana??? Now I have to try it! :)

Katie said...

Looks delicious! I'm trying to stay away from white starches though, so maybe I'll make this this weekend on cheat day. :D I recently just posted a recipe for Zuppa Toscana, coincidently. :D

Jessa said...

We made the french bread with our penne vodka tonight and it is OUT OF THIS WORLD GOOD!! Thank you, thank you for the recipe!!

Jessa said...

Thank you for the french bread recipe, it is out of this world GOOD!!

Unknown said...

Made this tonight. Deeelicious! Thanks for the recipe! I was a little worried about how I was going to store all of the finished product, but apparently living in a house with four other hungry university girls will render this problem fairly non-existent. I'll have to try the bread next!

Love the blog!