This is a comforting soup. I first had it in an Italian restaurant a couple of summers ago. I was in New Jersey for the funeral of the mother of my friend Kay. After the funeral, I went out for lunch with Kay's family, and I had a bowl of kale-bean soup. It was not just delicious, but, after the emotion of the funeral, a soothing comfort. When I came back home, I searched for similar recipes on the web, and I've been very happy with this one. Everyone I have ever served this soup to has asked for the recipe.
This is a great meatless soup, but you can also add sausage, chicken or stew beef (cook the meat first). I often make this with 4 chicken sausages. If in casing, I remove from casing and sauté the meat; otherwise I cut up in pieces and sauté.
This is a great meatless soup, but you can also add sausage, chicken or stew beef (cook the meat first). I often make this with 4 chicken sausages. If in casing, I remove from casing and sauté the meat; otherwise I cut up in pieces and sauté.
Kale and Bean Soup
6+ servings
adapted from www.portuguese-recipes.com
1 T. olive or canola oil
6-8
garlic cloves (minced)
1 large onion, chopped
4 cups kale, chopped if fresh (1 bunch is
plenty).
4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
2
(15-1/2 oz.) cans white beans
1 (15
ounce) can diced tomatoes or 1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes (I use canned)
1 t.
dried thyme
1 t.
dried rosemary
salt
and pepper to taste
1 cup
of chopped parsley
4
chicken sausages (or other meat), cooked--optional
1.
In a large pot, heat olive oil, then add garlic
and onion.
2.
Sauté these ingredients until soft.
3.
Add kale and sauté until wilted.
4.
Measure off 3 cups of broth and 2 cups of beans
and add to the sautéed vegetables, along with the tomatoes, herbs, about 2/3 of
the parsley (saving rest for garnish), salt, and pepper. (See step 6 for what you do with the rest of
the broth and beans.)
5.
Simmer soup 5 to 10 minutes. Pre-cook the meat
that will be added in next step (if using).
6.
Using a blender or food processor, mix the
remaining beans and broth until smooth.
Mix into the soup (makes it thicker).
Add the cooked meat, if you're using it.
7.
Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.
8.
Serve it up in bowls and garnish with parsley.
