My Kinda Zuppa Toscana

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 lb ground hot italian sausage
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 medium onions, diced
• 1/4 cup bacon bits (i use hormel brand)
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 10 cups water
• 5 tablespoons chicken bouillon powder (to taste)
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 6 cups potatoes, cubed
• 1 bunch kale, discard center stalks and coarsely chop greens (cavolo riccio)
• 1 bunch fresh italian parsley or 1 bunch chives, chopped for garnish
• 1 loaf crusty italian bread, sliced
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Recipe

• 1 saute ground spicy italian sausage and crushed red pepper flakes in 1 t olive oil. (i use 8 quart stock pot.) drain fat and move mixture into bowl, set aside.
• 2 in same pan, add 1 t olive oil and saute onions, garlic, bacon bits, and potatoes until onions are soft.
• 3 add water and chicken boullion powder and stir thoroughly. bring to a gentle boil and continue cooking until potatoes are soft, 20-30 minute.
• 4 turn off heat, immediately add kale, sausage and heavy cream. stir together.
• 5 garnish with chopped italian parsley or chives, serve hot with slices of bread.