~Twisted Thursday - 7.14.2011~

From my friend Candace Crismon:
This is an Olive Garden copy cat that I absolutely love. And I serve with breadsticks or I sometimes buy bread bowls from Panera Bread!

 

                                          Zuppa Toscana Soup

 

 1lb italian sausage, crumbled  (you can also use the jimmy dean sausage rolls any flavor)

1/2lb Smoked bacon, chopped or (Oscar Meyer real bacon pieces)

4 cups water

2 14.5 cans broth(chicken,beef, or vegetable)

2 large Russet potatoes, cubed or(yellow or red use your judgment)

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cups chopped kale or swiss chard

1 cup heavy whipping cream 2 garlic cloves, crushed

salt and pepper to taste

 

  1.In a skillet over medium-high heat brown sausage breaking into small pieces as you fry. Drain and set aside.

  2.In a skillet over medium-high heat brown bacon breaking into small pieces as you fry. Drain annd set aside. (If using the real bacon pieces skip this step and put them in the soup at the end.)

  3.Place water,broth,potatoes,garlic,and onion in a pot simmer over medium heat until potatoes are tender.

  4.Add sausage and bacon to pot simmer for 10 minutes.

  5.Add kale and cream to pot, season with salt and pepper. Heat through.