Creamy Sausage Kale Soup

We are in the last of our chillier days here.  Mostly the in fifties (F) but starting to warm up more and more.  It's actually a great time of year to clean out garden beds and get ready for planting.  We generally plant mid May.

After a day cleaning out the garden it was nice to come in for some of this delicious soup.  It is a delicious soup that is actually quite quick to make and definitely satisfies.  I did it all in the same soup pot so not too much messing around.


Zuppa Tuscana

1 lb Italian sausage 

2 large russet baking potatoes, sliced in half, and then in 1/4 inch slices
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup crisped bacon 

2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups kale 

2 cups chicken broth
1 quart water

1 bay leaf

Chop or slice uncooked sausage and raw bacon into small pieces. Brown sausage and bacon in a soup pot.  Drain on paper towels and return to pot. Add chicken broth and water to pot and stir, scraping hte bottom of the pot. Add onions, potatoes, bay leaf and garlic. Cook on medium heat until potatoes are done. Salt and pepper to taste.  Simmer for another 20 minutes. Add kale- cook five minutes more.

I add a tablespoon of cream to each bowl as not all of us can have dairy.  You can add the cream directly to the pot if you like.  Honestly it tastes great without the cream as well.