Sausage and Bean Soup

This soup is inspired by one we had at a pizza place in Cambridge, MA. It was so good I had to attempt to make it myself. This comes really close.

Ingredients
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb mild or medium ground Italian sausage
1 tsp cracked fennel
2 - 3 carrots, diced fine
2 - 3 ribs celery, diced fine
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp salt (1/2 tsp if your broth is less salty or your salt is coarse ground)
1 tsp paprika (smoked paprika, if you've got it)
red pepper flakes to taste
1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)

1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can white beans (navy, great northern, cannellini), drained and rinsed
4 cups chicken broth (plus water until the desired broth consistency is reached)
1 bay leaf
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp basil

2 cups chopped kale or spinach (frozen or fresh will work)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tbsp dried)
salt and pepper to taste


In a large soup pot (at least 4 quart) saute the sausage in the olive oil over medium heat about 5
minutes, breaking it up to cook evenly. It should start to brown a little.

Add the fennel, carrots, celery, and salt, and cook another 10 minutes or so until they start to soften.

Turn the heat to low and add garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Cook for a minute or 2 until you start to smell the garlic. Add the wine, turn the heat to medium high and deglaze the pan, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom.

Add the beans, broth, bay leaf, thyme, basil, and enough water to get the desired consistency. Bring the soup to a low boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the carrots and celery are soft.

When the vegetables are soft, add greens and parsley. Simmer another 5 minutes, or until the greens are just tender. Remove the bay leaf, taste the broth and adjust salt, pepper, and spices. Add more wine or a splash of red wine vinegar if desired.

Serve with grated cheese and crusty bread (or pizza).

Bon appetit!

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