26 April 2010

Simple, Fresh, Delicious...

Homemade soup is the cure for all your troubles.  And if you don't have any troubles, it's still pretty darn good!

I've been making a lot of homemade soup lately.  For a couple of reasons.  

It's delicious and fresh and usually fairly simple.  It loads me up with veggies without really thinking about it.  It's pretty inexpensive and a little meat or seafood goes a long way.  My other half can eat and eat and eat...so if I make a ton of soup I can usually keep him pretty satisfied.

I picked up one of those lovely little Better Homes and Gardens specialty publications that cost a zillion dollars and are filled with only soup recipes.  Like I said, they're not cheap but I've been very impressed with the quantity of great recipes (and mostly non cream-based, which I prefer).  We've tried over 30 since getting the book (it has 180 recipes) and haven't been disappointed once!

Here's one of my faves, White Bean Soup with Sausage and Kale.  I just made a huge pot and it's simmering as we speak!

1 package spicy italian turkey sausage, cut into slices (recipe called for regular mild italian, I like to substitute)
1/4 cup water
1 Tb vegetable oil
1 medium chopped onion
1 Tb minced garlic (I keep the bottled minced garlic in the fridge)
2 15 oz cans white kidney beans
2 14 oz cans chicken broth
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes with italian seasonings
4 cups coarsely chopped kale (or you can use spinach)
ground black pepper to tastle
fresh parmesan to sprinkle over soup

In a skillet, cook the sliced sausage in the water for 10 minutes until no longer pink.  Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a large pot heat oil over medium heat.  Saute onion and garlic for 5 minutes until tender.  Add the beans, broth and undrained tomatoes.  Bring to a boil then simmer for 5 minutes.  Add drained sausage, kale and black pepper.  Simmer, uncovered for 5 more minutes or until kale is wilted. 

Serve with parmesan and chunks of fresh bread.

Bon appetit!

Written with love, Lenore

8 comments:

  1. This looks SO delicious. I wish it were lunchtime and not just 9:45 am. Sigh

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  2. I'm not much of a soup person, but that recipe sounds delish! I think I'll give it a try! (New to the blog and like what I see!)

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  3. How yummy! I'm a worthless cook, but I may have to give this a try. Soup sounds good tonight, hmmmm. xoxo katie

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  4. I'm telling you - this recipe is soooo easy but it makes you look like Martha!

    Welcome Rachel, Lisa and Katie to the blog. It's so nice to see some new faces (new fonts? new comments? what's the etiquette here?)!

    XO
    Lenore

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  5. I just love homemade soup. That recipe sounds amazing!

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  6. Thanks for stopping by the blog Kristin - and it is! You must make it! Be sure to tell me how it turned out for you.

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  7. Anna is a delicious soup chef too...I love her corn chowder and her peanut soup. You ladies should start a soup talk blog. Oh, and her salad dressings are to die for too.

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  8. Those sound amazing, I'm definitely going to get her to hook me up with those recipes. Then I can try them and post them to share!

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Thanks so much for stopping by, I love reading all your comments! If you have a specific question, please email me at lhume1@mts.net. XO Lenore