Sausage and Potato Soup with Kale

Or, as Olive Garden calls it, "Tuscan Soup". But, since this type of soup is in actuality not Tuscan, and since I have deviated quite a bit from the original recipe, I had to give it my own name. And I couldn't come up with anything better than Sausage and Potato Soup with Kale. I know. I'm so original.

A few years ago my sister found the recipe for this soup online. And it was a big hit. Then I started making it on my own, and started leaving things out and adding things in and double some ingredients while halving others, and now the only resemblance to that original recipe are the three main ingredients of, you guessed it, sausage, potatoes, and kale. I always make a triple batch and we eat it for DAYS because it is just that good. Sometimes we even throw some diced avocado into each bowl and oh my heavens is that just not the yummiest thing?

Sausage and Potato Soup with Kale

1 lb mild italian sausage (see note below)
2 lbs russet potatoes, diced (leave the peel on)
1 med yellow onion, diced
1 cloves garlic, pressed or really, really, minced
32 oz chicken broth (see note below)
64 oz water
1 pint heavy whipping cream
1 bunch kale, chopped

1. Brown sausage in large stockpot, drain and set aside
2. Sautee onion and garlic until onion is caramalized and has absorbed the grease
3. Add chicken broth and water, bring to a boil
4. Add potatoes, boil for 30 minutes
5. Turn off heat, return sausage, and add the cream
6. Place a handful of kale in each bowl and pour soup over
7. Serve and enjoy!

Now, if you are going to be consuming all the soup in one night, you can just dump the kale in the pot. But, since we have it a few nights in a row, we leave the kale out so it doesn't get all wilted and slimy.

About the sausage - it is imperative that you use Johnsonville brand. I have tried using a few different brands, incudling store brand, and it just is not as good. Also, the sausage will come in either casings or in a pack like ground beef. If it's in the casings, just cut the casings off before cooking.

About the chicken broth - read the ingedients! College Inn brand IS NOT GF! Swanson's mostly is, but their oraganic broth is not. I like Swanson's Natural Goodness Reduced Sodium. Kitchen Basics is GF, but has a much stronger flavor. I like the lightness of Swanson's.