Kale and White Bean Soup

Submitted by AmyZoe

"I used garden fresh swiss chard in place of the kale. I also used canned beans to cut down on the cooking time. Recipe courtesy of epicurious."

 

• Ready In: 3hrs 50mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 1 lb white beans (Great Northern, cannellini, navy)
• 2 onions, coarsely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 2 quarts water
• parmigiano-reggiano cheese, rind (3x2 inch piece)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 lb smoked sausage (sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick) or 1 lb kielbasa (sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick)
• 8 carrots (halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/2 inch pieces)
• 1 lb kale (stems and center ribs discarded and leaves coarsely chopped)

directions

1. Cover beans with water by 2 inches in a pot and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, 1 hour. Drain beans in a colander and rinse.
2. Cook onions in oil in an 8 quart pot over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring 1 minute. Add beans, broth, 1 quart water, cheese rind, salt, pepper, bay leaf, and rosemary and simmer, uncovered, until beans are just tender, around 50 minutes.
3. While soup is simmering, brown sausage in batches in a heavy skillet over medium heat, turning, then transfer to paper towels to drain.
4. Stir carrots into soup and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in kale, sausage, and remaining quart water and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until kale is tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Season soup with salt and pepper.