There’s an old Serbian saying that trumpets the health benefits of eating with a spoon. A steamy bowlful of white bean, kale & sausage soup counts but, no, sorry, creme brulee does not.
This white bean, kale and sausage soup is probably worth extra credit as it contains the superstar veggie or all veggies. I was floored to learn that just one itty bitty cup of kale contains 206% of the daily value of vitamin A and 134% of the daily value of vitamin C. I was completely blown away by vitamin K totaling 684%. Six hundred eighty four percent! (Just making sure you caught that. I had to read it a few times myself.)
I used one bunch of kale in this soup and though it didn’t equate to one cup per serving, the kale and white beans contributed to a healthy one pot meal.
White bean, kale and sausage soup was the kickoff to my family’s new weekly soup/stew/stoup night. We’re all on board to make it a night to enjoy an old favorite every now and then but more as an opportunity to try something new, like kale.
Kale can be a bitter green but I found it to be quite tasty when paired with mild flavored Great Northern beans. Add smoked sausage to the mix and it’s a sure winner. Well, it was for most of us anyway. My eldest hasn’t quite developed her taste for kale in leafy form and preferred to puree the soup and enjoy it as a stoup instead. As for the rest of us, we enjoyed every soupy spoonful and the sample I sent over to my sister’s house scored positive reviews.
As one who tries to eat healthy, I admit I am a serious underachiever when it comes to eating leafy cruciferous greens, but what better place to hide them than in soup? There really is something to be said about healthy eating with a spoon.
Prijatno!
- 1 bunch kale, cleaned and chopped
- 1 carrot, sliced into coins
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1-14ounce can petite diced tomatoes
- 1- 14 ounce can Northern Beans, rinsed well
- 4 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
- 3-4 small to medium sized potatoes, thinly sliced
- 1-14 ounce smoked sausage, diced
- ¼ Cup 1% milk
- ¾ Cup half-half
- In a large pot, saute onion and kale in oil until kale has cooked down a bit.
- Add carrot and garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients through sausage, cover and cook for 20-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
- Add milk and half/half and simmer for another 10 minutes.
[…] the kale fan club. I had a toe in the door for the longest time, though after making this soothing soup and now these yummy Greek chicken burgers, I’m dangling a leg through the door. Baby steps, […]