Kale is a vegetable that I have been wanting to try using for a while. I have seen a few kale dishes around and some of them combined kale with white beans. I thought that the kale would go nicely in an Italian style white bean soup. I knew that I wanted to include Italian style turkey sausage for some meat and flavour but for the rest of the ingredients I played it by ear. I wanted a bit of a rustic feel to the soup so I cut everything roughly leaving fairly large pieces. The white bean and kale soup with turkey sausage turned out well and it was really tasty. I think that I should have cut the kale into slightly smaller pieces but this way I got to experience more of the kale. The kale worked well in the soup. Even though it wilted it did not fall apart or turn mushy. I look forward to experimenting with kale again. I served the white bean and kale soup with some toasted cheesy garlic bread .
White Bean and Kale Soup with Turkey Sausage
ingredients
- 1 pound Italian turkey sausage (casing removed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 2 stalks celery (chopped)
- 2 carrots (chopped)
- 1 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 15 ounce can white beans
- 1 bunch kale (chopped)
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 red pepper flakes (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 parmigiano reggiano rind (optional)
- * chicken stock
- 1 handful parsley (chopped, optional)
- * parmigiano reggiano (grated, optional)
directions
- Brown the sausage in a large pan and set aside.
- Heat the oil in the same pan.
- Add the onions and saute until tender, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add the sausage, celery, carrots, tomatoes, white beans, kale, oregano, bay leaf, red pepper flakes, parmigiano reggiano rind.
- Add enough chicken stock to cover.
- Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf and parmigiano reggiano rind.
- Serve garnished with chopped parsley and grated parmigiano reggiano.
Proud Italian Cook says
March 14, 2008 at 12:32 amKevin, Your soup will be a great dish for our Festa Italiana, with your beans, sausage and kale combo, it will surely hit the spot! Thanks for joining in!
Helene says
March 14, 2008 at 12:44 amEverything you made this week look so good. I love soup. It’s so comfort food.
Vicki says
March 14, 2008 at 1:47 amLooks delicious! Aren’t parmesan rinds amazing?
Kalyn says
March 14, 2008 at 1:54 amYum, and I do admit I’ve never cooked kale. I’ve had it on my “try list” for ages.
tigerfish says
March 14, 2008 at 2:31 amI love any kind of soup with tomatoes in there! It’s always so comforting to me.
giz says
March 14, 2008 at 3:16 amYou got my vote for healthy dish – now I’m really feeling guilty for the chicken wings I ate today. I should have had the soup – and it looks far superior to the wings.
StickyGooeyCreamyChewy says
March 14, 2008 at 4:23 amKevin, You’ve been a cooking maniac this week! Where do you find the time? The soup looks great! I love dishes like this. I make a similar dish with Portuguese chourico sausage.
sher says
March 14, 2008 at 7:12 amI love kale, and soup. This recipe goes into my recipe box. I feel comforted just looking at your picture.
Mike of Mike's Table says
March 14, 2008 at 11:18 amI’ve also meant to try kale, but never quite gotten around to it yet. This soup looks like a fantastic way to get started though!
Gloria says
March 14, 2008 at 12:15 pmKevin, I think Im a addict yo your blog, I like to comming everyday!!! but don’t worry I like to come here!! This dish look delicious! Gloria
Sylvie says
March 14, 2008 at 12:42 pmKevin, that looks yummy. I like kale, especially the way my mum makes it. In Germany it’s traditionally served in a kind of stew, with potatoes, chopped onions and some smoked sausages.
Peter M says
March 14, 2008 at 1:49 pmThat’s a hearty soup and those beans look like Gigantes!
Elle says
March 14, 2008 at 1:56 pmOk, that does it. I want to be your neighbor. Looks fabulous!
Maya says
March 14, 2008 at 2:00 pmKevin.
I love rustic and chunky soups. It is warm, filling and offers some serious comfort.
cakewardrobe says
March 14, 2008 at 3:23 pmKale always seems so intimidating for me to cook. It’s so dark, heavy and leafy. You did such a lovely job in combining all the flavors and colors!
Rachel says
March 14, 2008 at 4:21 pmThis looks great!
javagirlkt's cookin' says
March 14, 2008 at 4:28 pmman this looks good. i bet that bread was perfect for soaking up extra broth!!!
Deborah says
March 14, 2008 at 5:51 pmI keep wanting to try kale, too. This looks like a beautiful way to use it!
noble pig says
March 14, 2008 at 5:57 pmWow, I have been wanting to try kale as well. I never think of it when I’m at the market. This looks like a lovely, warming dish.
Anonymous says
March 14, 2008 at 7:09 pmChe bella! Brava!
Thanks for joining us Kevin 🙂
Steph says
March 14, 2008 at 8:09 pmI can’t wait to try this soup, it’s just what my appetite is craving!
Emiline says
March 14, 2008 at 8:11 pmKale and white beans go together so well. Bravo! But then you were genius to add the turkey sausage to it. I like the way your mind works.
Terry B says
March 14, 2008 at 8:18 pmEven though the calendar says it’s almost spring, the weather says it’s still a good time for soup. This looks wonderful! Hearty and satisfying on a cold evening. I’ve made a similar white bean soup with sausage and Swiss chard. Kale could be easily substituted in it–and Swiss chard would work in yours as well, I think.
LyB says
March 15, 2008 at 2:32 amSausage in soup is such a great idea! Looks absolutely delicious!
We Are Never Full says
March 16, 2008 at 4:53 pmI say it often but no one believes me!! Kale is one of the most under-utilized and delicious (and super, super CHEAP!) leafy greens around. I’m astounded at how many people don’t try using it… it’s extremely versatile and tasty and holds up well to long-cooking. Go kale, go kale. Actually I’ve had a ‘post in waiting’ that hasn’t been published yet on my love for kale… maybe it’s time?
amy @ http://www.weareneverfull.com
Leah Greenstein says
March 18, 2008 at 1:40 amI love kale and white beans, this will be a great dish to try on a cool night!
Thanks.
Lisa Shaw says
October 18, 2008 at 11:43 pmReally great Kevin! The few things I did different is substitute turkey sausage with spicy Italian sausage, put 2 cans of bean, fresh cherry tomatoes in place of canned and baby carrots cut in half. It is nice and hardy but still light. Sure treat and it all cooks in no time!! Just to let you know I am enjoying at I write this! Lovely!
Lisa Shaw
Rene says
October 27, 2008 at 11:44 pmThis was the most interesting and delicious sounding kale recipe I found online that didn't call for ingredients I didn't have. Mine was slightly different, given that I didn't go shopping to get additional ingredients. I used:
Vegetable broth
3 Cloves garlic
Olive oil
Dried Rosemary & thyme
Pepper & Salt
Ground turkey
Kale (including stems)
Black-eyed peas with bacon (1 can)
Crushed tomatoes with garlic and basil (1 can)
Hot Chili sauce (to taste)
the ground turkey works fine and the flavoring from the black-eyed peas is nice. What really makes this version is the hot chili sauce, which gives the soup a spicy, slightly asian aspect. Turned out very well!!!
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michelina says
December 23, 2010 at 1:34 amKevin, it has been ages since you posted this recipe; nonetheless, you deserve a great big pat on the back. It's one of my cold weather favorites. (In fact, I just made a batch tonight.) You're a talented guy and I look forward to seeing what else you're whipping up these days.
Nancy J. says
February 27, 2012 at 6:27 pmThanks Kevin! I made this with italian style chicken sausage because my grocer didn't have turkey sausage and it was WONDERFUL! Loved the parm rind tip.
Anonymous says
October 29, 2013 at 11:57 pmKevin,
All I can say is you are AMAZING – I love your website and plan to order your cookbooks please, please keep on doing what your doing hundreds, thousands enjoy your post each day. Thank you!