Ingredients

The following ingredients have 7 Servings
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound mild Italian Sausage (casings removed)
  • 4 oz (125 g) diced bacon
  • 1 large onion (chopped)
  • 6 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 1 1/2 quarts (1.5 litres) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 5 Russet potatoes (scrubbed, rinsed and sliced into 1/4-inch slices*)
  • 1 cube beef bouillon (crushed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground fennel
  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional — adjust to your taste)
  • 1 1/2 cups half and half or heavy/thickened cream
  • 3 cups chopped kale (hard stems removed (substitute with baby spinach leaves or Swiss chard))
  • Fresh shredded parmesan cheese (for serving)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional -- for a thicker soup) (SEE NOTES)

Instruction

  • Fry the sausage in a heavy based pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat while breaking up the meat with the end of your wooden spoon. When browned, and cooked through (about 10 minutes), drain most of the oil, leaving about 1 teaspoon of drippings in the pot. Transfer sausage meat to a plate.
  • Cook the bacon in the same pot/Dutch oven over medium heat until crispy (about 10 minutes). Drain, leaving about 2 teaspoons of drippings in the pot. Transfer cooked bacon to the plate with the sausage meat.
  • Sauté onions in the pot and cook until soft and translucent (about 5 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
  • OPTIONAL: Add the wine and let reduce to half (about 2 minutes).
  • Increase heat to high, pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Season broth with crushed bouillon, salt, pepper, fennel and chili flakes. Add the potatoes and boil until fork tender (about 10 minutes).
  • Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the heavy cream, cooked sausage, bacon and kale. Let simmer for 2 minutes, until kale leaves have softened.