THIS MONTH ON MOMMY DIARIES

Ingredient of the month: Cream of Chicken Soup

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2.15.2008

Zuppa Toscana Soup

I know that this isn't a sweet, really, but I have to share this! I made this for Rob for dinner on Valentines, and he absolutely loved it! If you've ever been to Olive Garden and had their soup with sausage in it (Zuppa Toscana) then you have to try this recipe! It is SO good, and it's fairly easy to make! It took me about an hour or so. Anyway, this tastes just like it does at the restaurant.

2 (32 oz) chicken stock (it says you should NOT substitute for chicken broth. I found chicken stock at Target)
6 c water
3-4 med-lg russet potatoes, peeled and sliced (I also cut the slices into quarters)
3 pieces bacon (you won't use the bacon, you use the bacon grease)
1 lg white onion, sliced fine
1 lb sweet Italian sausage (I couldn't find sweet sausage so I got mild Italian and it was great)
3 garlic cloves, minced
2/3 c cream or half-and-half
1 bunch swiss chard or kale, cut into bite size pieces
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp anise seed (I found this at Target as well, it was expensive though, $4.50 a container)
1 dash red pepper flakes (I just used ground)
black pepper to taste

Bring chicken stock and water to a light boil and add potatoes. Don't lower heat.
In a skillet cook bacon until somewhat done and remove (do not add bacon to soup)
Saute onions in bacon grease until carmelized (a light golden brown color)
Remove onions and put in boiling stock.
In the same skillet, add some olive oil and cook Italian sausage (casings removed)
Add the garlic with the sausage and cook until sausage is done and is the consistency of hamburger meat
Add mixture to the stock.
By this time check to see if the potatoes are done, squish them against the side to see.
If they are done, add the cream, kale, salt, anise, red pepper and black pepper
Serve with garlic bread or corn bread
Enjoy

I hope you like it! It really is so, so, so good!

4 comments:

Cassi said...

Yay! I'm glad it worked out. I can't wait to try it, I love this soup. Thanks for posting the recipe!!

Anna said...

Oh good, now i'm going to buy the stuff tomorrow and make it sunday for dinner. Thanks Chalece for sharing it with us.

Cassi said...

Oh and anise seed is expensive! So if anyone gets it for this and wants to use it for more than this recipe try the Oriental Steak Broil! It's really good. I posted it a few weeks ago so it should be somewhat near the top if you click on the main dishes label

The UnMighty said...

And when you eat at your house, your family.