Italian Sausage and Kale Soup:

This is a hearty, hug in a bowl, soup. Our whole family enjoys this soup and I usually make it once a month, because it's so easy and delicious. Hope you love it!

Ingredients:

1 package of Italian Turkey sausage

Half sweet onion (chopped)

3 large garlic cloves (finely chopped)

4 red potatoes (cubed)

Approx. 1/4 cup of fresh basil (thinly chopped) 

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 tsp dried, chopped, rosemary  (*I like to add fresh oregano and rosemary chopped up if its in abundance in my garden) 

3 cups Kale (roughly chopped)

1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 can white navy beans or can use garbanzo beans

1 can Veggie broth or 2 cups

4 cups of water

4 T Butter

1/2 cup of whole whipping cream

3 T olive oil

 1 tsp. red pepper flakes 

And salt and pepper.
(Sometimes I'll add 1/2 cup of sliced carrots for extra sweetness)

Directions:

-In the bottom of a soup pan drizzle olive oil, turn to a high-medium. 

-Once pan is hot add chopped onion and cook till softened.

-Add sausage and sprinkle with Italian seasoning, rosemary, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook till the sausage is browned on the edges. 

-Add garlic and butter. Cook for about 2 minutes. 

- Add can of tomatoes, can of beans, chicken broth, water, potatoes, basil, carrots (if adding) and more salt and pepper if needed. 

-Cook everything together for about 15-20 min depending on when the potatoes soften. You can test with a fork on the side of the pan.

- After the potatoes are cooked through, Add the Kale and cook for about 3 min. 

-Lastly add the cream and turn off the heat while you mix it in. 

-Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and extra fresh torn basil if you like!

*I have made this in the crock pot before. Just add in all the ingredients except for the kale and whipping cream. Allow to cook together on low for 6-8 hours. Then you can turn off the heat and add in the kale and whipping cream 5-10 minute before serving. You don't want overly wilted kale or curdled milk. Enjoy!