Italian Sausage and Kale Soup

From Chow Bella

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

2 medium carrots, diced

1 large stalk of celery, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 lbs Italian sausage (about 4-5 links; I used chicken Italian sausage), casings removed

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 qts broth---choose one that corresponds with the meat of your Italian sausage (I used my homemade turkey-chicken bone broth)

1 bunch kale (about 4 cups chopped kale; can substitute another sturdy green, like collards or Swiss chard...chop the chard stems and add them with the onions, carrots, and celery)

1. Heat the oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery and cook until the onions are translucent. Stir in the garlic about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it, then add the sausage in. Crumbled the sausage with a spoon and cook all the way through.

2. Stir the tomato paste into the cooked vegetable and sausage mixture; season with basil and pepper.

3. Add the broth and simmer for about 15 minutes over medium to medium-high heat, to allow the flavors to blend.

4. Wash the kale and remove the tough stems. Chop the leaves up and add them to the simmering broth. Bring the soup to a boil over high heat, add the kale, then reduce to simmer. Cook until the kale wilts and becomes tender, about 4-5 minutes.