Zuppa Toscana

Wonder why soup seems to be more of a fall & winter food?

Cause it sure is delicious year round.

{I know ... it's mostly cause when it's cold outside,
you need that 'clear down to your bones' warmth that soup provides.}

{Good thing we have AC to offset that during the summer months,
cause sometimes you just need a big ol' bowl of soup!}

My sweet hubs has been hungry for it ... and what he wants, he gets!
So we started off last week with a big pot of Zuppa Toscana.
Olive Garden ain't got nothin' on me ;)

This is one of our all-time faves, both at OG & at home.
It's easy, very filling, & I've adjusted the recipe just a bit to cut out some of the fat & calories.
And, I've tripled it.
I have a husband & three nearly grown sons.
We need plenty ... and some leftover for the next day.
Here are the ingredients:

• 2-3 pounds Italian TURKEY sausage  {it's up to you how meaty you want it}
• 8 large potatoes, sliced in half and then in 1/4 inch slices
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 6 strips of bacon, fried
• 8 cloves garlic,  minced
• 1/2 a bag of chopped kale {about 6 cups}
• 4-6 quarts of chicken broth
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 2 cups half & half
• salt & pepper to taste

By using Italian turkey sausage, the fat & cals go down big time.
I buy the Fit & Active brand at Aldi.

credit

I am an eye-baller type of cook ... I add a little this & a little that.
My measurements on this soup are based on my big soup kettle.
If you need to adjust the liquids here & there, go for it.
Also for the chicken broth, if I do not have my own homemade stock on hand,
I use dry chicken base that I buy from the Amish store {you can get it at your grocery}
& just make my own that way.
It's a great seasoning & I use it in all sorts of ways {in my green beans & veggies, especially}.

In large skillet, brown the sausage & onion & drain off excess grease.
In a large kettle, combine the chicken broth, potatoes, and garlic, on medium heat until potatoes are done.  Add in the cooked sausage, bacon, salt, and pepper and let that simmer for another 10 minutes.
Turn the heat down to low.
Add the kale, cream, & half & half about 15 minutes before serving.

When making this soup as the main meal, which I usually do, I always serve something alongside ...
usually a salad & a bread.
This time, I made a crostini topped with Italian sausage,
seasonings, garden tomatoes, & mozzarella cheese.
Tomorrow, I will share the recipe for that!
Come back, alright?

A tavola non si invecchia. - Italian proverb.
Translation: At the table with good friends and family you do not become old. - See more at: http://www.italymagazine.com/news/italian-quotes-about-food#sthash.8TwGa7m0.dpuf

A tavola non si invecchia. - Italian proverb.
Translation: At the table with good friends and family you do not become old. - See more at: http://www.italymagazine.com/news/italian-quotes-about-food#sthash.8TwGa7m0.dpuf

A tavola non si invecchia ~ Italian proverb

At the table with good friends & family, you do not become old ~ translation

Arrivederci,

Who doesn't love a good party?!
You can find me here linking up with these great blogs.
Monday          C.R.A.F.T      The Dedicated House  I Should Be Mopping the Floor
                  Between Naps on the Porch  The Modest Mom
Tuesday     A Delightsome Life   A Bowl Full of Lemons    Titus Tuesday      A Stroll Through Life
Wednesday   Raising Homemakers        Savvy Southern Style         Adorned From Above
                    The Thrifty Home  The Dedicated House    A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Thursday    Between Naps on the Porch   Serving Joyfully     Lamberts Lately
Friday      Rooted in Thyme  The Thrifty Groove   Farm Blog Hop  Best of the Nest
               French Country Cottage  The Girl Creative
Sunday    Nifty Thrifty Things    Suburbsmama    Sew Many Ways