Recipe: Sausage, Potato, Kale Soup

[**Edited to add: this is my favorite soup recipe. EVER. And I? I like soup.]

This is supposed to be the recipe for Olive Garden's Zuppa Tuscana. It's close, I think.

Sausage Potato and Kale Soup

1 lb mild ground Italian sausage

1 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

1 large diced onion (red or white; I usually use red)

4 TBSP bacon pieces (optional)

2 cloves minced garlic (or 2 tsp garlic puree)

10 cups water

3 TBSP chicken bouillon (or about 5 cubes)

1 cup heavy cream (8 oz)

1 lb sliced potatoes and/or a few turnips

(I don't measure this; I just use whatever amount of the two I have on hand; usually about 4-6 cups, chopped)

1/2 to 1 bunch kale, chopped

*brown sausage with red pepper and set aside

*in stock pot, saute onion, bacon (if using), and garlic for about 15 minutes, until onions are soft (if not using bacon, add a glug of olive oil)

*mix chicken bouillon and water, add to onion mixture and bring to a boil

*once boiling, add potatoes and turnips and cook until soft (about 1/2 hour; less if potatoes/turnips are sliced thin)

*add heavy cream and heat through

*stir in sausage

*add kale just before serving

I usually slice the potatoes and turnips quite thin, to speed in cooking. Especially in the summer, I don't love standing over a hot pot any longer than needed.

Most of the time, I don't bother with the bacon. If we happen to have some bacon pieces (like for salads) I'll add them, but I haven't noticed that it makes a huge difference either way.

Last night, David added about 2 bunches of kale (at least twice the recommended amount) and it was still awesome. I actually loved the extra kale.

(SmugslashBrag Factor: the onions, garlic, potatoes, turnips, and kale were all fresh from our CSA, which a) is awesome and b) is so damn lucky. All of these, ripe the same week!)