This soup is delicious and quite simple to make! Although I don’t eat sausage very often since it is a processed meat, a good quality organic chicken or turkey sausage is fine to eat once in a while and I love how it adds wonderful flavor to this soup.
Comforting Winter Soup with Sausage and Greens
Servings 4 people
Ingredients
- (1) 15 oz. can cannellini beans
- 1-2 quarts low-sodium organic chicken broth Saffron Road brand is delicious
- 4 raw organic Italian chicken or turkey sausage
- 1 large zucchini diced
- 3 carrots diced
- 1 head broccoli diced small
- 2-3 cups kale chopped, ribs removed
- 2-3 cups fresh spinach chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh basil chopped
- 2 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4-1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- freshly grated parmesan cheese for garnish
Directions
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Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium high heat.
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Slice the sausages lengthwise and then into pieces and brown them in the oil, about 10 minutes.
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Add the garlic, zucchini, carrot and broccoli and saute until the vegetables begin to soften, about 15-20 minutes.
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If you are like me and you don't love beans, drain and rinse the canned beans and mash them with a fork. Then add them to the soup. If you prefer, add them whole after they are drained and rinsed.
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Add the broth and the seasonings. If you need more liquid, add more broth or water and then add extra of the salt, pepper and seasonings.
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Bring the soup to a boil. Simmer for 40 minutes.
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Add the greens (spinach, kale, parsley and fresh basil). Cook for 5 minutes.
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Taste and add more salt and pepper as needed.Serve garnished with a sprinkling of grated parmesan cheese.