HAPPY FRIYAAAAY! It has been hectic over here the past month and I still feel super swamped, but I have to remind myself to take a break and rest up every so often. Self care & love is the best kind of love and I believe it is absolutely essential to our mental and physical health. Although it’s been go, go, go over here, I took the time to pull this soup recipe together for you all. Plus, it’s great being able to unwind with a bowl of this. It’s my favorite hearty soup and EVERYTIME I make it, and I mean every single time… I always get asked for the recipe or get asked to make it again reeeaaaal soon. I was first introduced to this soup years back at Olive Garden (chain restaurant if ya don’t know what it is!). My mom always craved it, and then I started to crave it, and low behold, I had to try to remake it haha! And I must say, it’s now better than the one they serve by ten folds ? I hope you guys like it, and feel free to ask anything if I wasn’t clear enough! Enjoy lovely people. OHHHHH and if you have leftovers, it tastes even better the next day, so be prepared for a yummy soupy breakfast! ?

BETTER THAN OLIVE GARDEN’S ZUPPA TOSCANA SOUP RECIPE

8 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 2 bunch of kale
• 1/2 lb of hot Italian sausage
• 1 medium white onion
• 4 medium russet potatoes
• 4 cans of chicken broth
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup of water
• 2-3 tbsp olive oil
• 1-2 tbsp red pepper flakes
• 1-2 tsp salt & pepper
• 7 pieces of bacon cooked till crispy & chopped into bits
• Parmesan freshly shaved *optional

PREPARATIONS

• Wash kale & remove leaves from stem. Chop kale into 1-2inch pieces & set aside.
• Dice white onions & set aside.
• Wash potatoes thoroughly & cut. First length wise, then again (you should have 4 long strips). Now cut horizontally to make 1 inch chunks. Set in a bowl of water till you’re ready to cook so they don’t brown.

DIRECTIONS

• In a large pot on medium heat, add olive oil & onions. Cook for 5mins stirring to make sure they don’t stick & burn, then reduce the heat a tad.
• Add the sausage & red pepper flakes (if using), consistently stirring to break up the sausage into bits. Cook for 5 mins or until sausages start browning.
• Turn the heat up to medium & add the chicken broth & water.
• Drain your potatoes & carefully put them in.
• Bring the soup to a boil & turn the heat to low & simmer for 35 mins or till the potatoes are soft, but not “melting”.
• Add the heavy cream & bring it to a boil.
• Taste & add extra salt & pepper to taste.
• If serving immediately, add kale & cook for 4 mins. If preparing ahead of time, 15 mins before serving, heat up the soup & bring to a boil. Add the kale & cook for 4 mins.
• Serve with bacon bits & parmesan cheese.

“Solitude is where I place my chaos to rest & awaken my inner peace.” -Nikki Rowe