Italian Soup

Name: Italian Soup
Ingredients: 1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 3/4 cup onion, chopped; 1 leek, thinly sliced (white and light green parts); 1 medium zucchini, chopped; 2 medium carrots, chopped; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 (15 ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed; 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 4 cups vegetable broth, low sodium; 1/2 cup fresh kale, shredded (or other greens); 1/3 cup orzo (other other small pasta); 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; salt (to taste); black pepper (to taste)

18 ingredients

8 steps

Ingredients

1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup onion, chopped
1 leek, thinly sliced (white and light green parts)
1 medium zucchini, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (15 ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
4 cups vegetable broth, low sodium
1/2 cup fresh kale, shredded (or other greens)
1/3 cup orzo (other other small pasta)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
salt (to taste)
black pepper (to taste)

Directions

1

In a 5 or 6 quart dutch oven over medium heat, brown the sausage, breaking it up with a large spoon. After the meat starts to brown, add the red wine vinegar. (It will make the sausage easier to break into small pieces.).
2

Add the olive oil, onion, leek, and carrots, and cook over medium until the vegetables begin to soften.
3

Add the dried herbs, zucchini and garlic, and cook for several more minutes. (The heat should be high enough that there is some browning on the bottom of the pan.).
4

Add the can of crushed tomatoes and cook for about five minutes.
5

Add the broth, beans, and salt and pepper to taste.
6

Reduce heat and cook at a low simmer for at least one hour. Longer cooking will produce better flavor.
7

Raise the heat until the soup begins to bubble. Add the kale and pasta, and cook for 15-20 minutes until the pasta is soft.
8

For a thinner soup, add one cup additional broth or hot water during cooking.