Kicked Up Potato Soup ~ Zuppa Toscana

Cold weather calls for warm food! I don't know if you saw this recipe floating around facebook last week. It did catch my attention as I love a good potato soup. I have a staple potato soup recipe and I love that version a lot, but thought since this recipe is made in the crock-pot, I'd give it a try.

But, Sunday, I decided to try my hand with the soup recipe I had seen on facebook. I tweaked the original recipe a bit to add a bit more flavor to the soup. The one thing I loved about this recipe is the fact it can be made in the crock-pot and that makes for an easy dinner with little work. I tried to find the original source for this recipe, but every link I clicked took me to a page that shared the recipe. So....if this is your original recipe, just let me know and I will be happy to give you credit.

Zuppa Toscana ~  KICKED UP POTATO SOUP

1 lb. Italian sausages (Mild or spicy)
4-6 russet potatoes, chopped ( I left skins on)
1 onion, chopped
1/4 c. REAL bacon pieces (optional)
2 Tbsp minced garlic (about 3-4 cloves)
32 oz. chicken broth
1 c. kale chopped
1 c. heavy whipping cream
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 Tablespoon Fresh Thyme

1. Brown sausage links in a sauté pan
2. Cut links in half lengthwise, then cut slices.
3. Place sausage, chicken broth, garlic, potatoes and onion in slow cooker. Add just enough water to cover the vegetables and meat.
4. Cook on high 3-4 hours (low 5-6 hours) until potatoes are soft.

30 minutes before serving:
5. Mix flour into cream removing lumps.
6. Add cream, bacon bits, fresh thyme and kale to the crock pot, stir.
7. Cook on high 30 minutes or until broth thickens slightly.
8. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste.

Make yourself a batch of cornbread cooked in an iron skillet and supper is served! This was really good and very easy to make. I love the sausage in this soup, and the bacon is a nice touch too. The soup is flavorful, but not too overpowering. I will be making this one again, it is good and makes a great tasteful, filling meal.

You could use turkey sausage instead of the Italian sausage, or vegetarian sausage and leave out the bacon. You possibly could substitute vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth if you wanted to do that, I don't think it would make that much difference in the taste.