In an effort to go green and become a bit more eco-friendly we’ve started an organic garden at home. We’ve also been very diligent about choosing a new and unique veggie to take home from the farmer’s market in an effort to teach our kids about eating healthy. One of the vegetables we picked up this week was kale. I’ve heard amazing things about it’s super green, vitamin rich goodness but honestly have never cooked with it before.

So I attempted to make kale chips as a healthy alternative to potato chips for my family. I had heard rave reviews from a few of my friends and just had to try them. What a mistake that was! Burnt to a crisp or so bitter I couldn’t swallow. I threw out the whole batch and was dreading watching the other bunch of kale we had picked.

Until I remembered a friend mentioning using kale in her soups. And then I thought of the sausage and potato soup they serve at the Olive Garden. The light in my head went on and I knew what dinner was going to be! Not only did I get some veggies into our meal, the kids enjoyed it! This soup is simple, easy, and comes together quick. The perfect way to relax in the cool, crisp spring air after enjoying the farmer’s market.

Sausage & Kale Soup

• 2 sausage links
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 carrots, coined
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 can navy beans, rinsed
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups water
• 4 cups of kale, stems removed, torn into small pieces
• salt & pepper to taste

Saute the sausage in a large pot or dutch oven. Once slightly browned, remove from pan and set aside.

Add olive oil to the pan. Once heated, add onions and carrots to the pot and saute until translucent and tender. Sprinkle flour over the veggies and saute for a minute longer.

Pour chicken stock and water into the pot and add sausage back in. Add the beans and let simmer for 20 minutes, or until all of the flavors are incorporated. Add kale and season with salt and pepper to taste and cook for another 5 minutes.

Serve with some fresh-baked bread or your favorite salad for a wonderful and tasty meal in under 30 minutes.