Spicy Italian Sausage Soup

Serves 4-6

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage
• 1/2 pound hot Italian sausage
• 1/2 large red pepper, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1/2 large onion, chopped
• 1 large clove garlic, grated
• 2 large potatoes, cubed
• 1/2 bunch of kale, trimmed of stems and chopped
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1-14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium heat. If using sausage links, split the casings and remove the sausage. Break the sausage into pieces and place them into the pot. Throw out the sausage casings. Cook the sausage until browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Remove excess oil from the pan. You want about one tablespoon in the pot to cook the vegetables. Add the red pepper, celery, and onion to the pot and cook until soft, about five minutes. Grate the garlic into the pot and cook for one minute. Return the sausage to the pot. Add the tomatoes and chicken stock to the pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook for ten minutes.

Add the potatoes and kale to the pot. Bring to a boil, Reduce to simmer and cook for ten more minutes. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed.