Kim's Fantastic Finds

First of all, I had never heard of Zuppa Toscana Soup before. While visiting my sister Suzanne  last year in North Carolina she made this for my husband and me. And we both loved it, she told me that Olive Garden makes this soup. I have been to Olive Garden a few times but had never ordered soup there. So anyway I had helped her make this and jotted down the ingredients!! So I hope you enjoy this Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe!!! Especially with a glass of Napa Valley Fine Wine!!

No doubt this will soon be a family favorite!!! Because prep time is only about 5 minutes and cook time is 40 minutes or so. Also you have the leeway to alter ingredients to your liking. I often will substitute skinless kielbasa for the spicy italian sausage. Another alteration I use is sweet italian sausage.

Zuppa Toscana Soup Recipe Ingredients

• 1 pound of spicy italian sausage
• 8 slices of bacon
• 1/2 of large onion diced
• 2-3 cloves of garlic minced
• 28 oz low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 cups of water
• 5 medium russet potatoes thinly sliced
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cups chopped kale
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• Parmesan cheese (garnish)

Instructions for Zuppa Toscana Soup

1. Brown sausage in dutch oven or large pot
2. Remove sausage with a slotted spoon, set aside
3. Cut bacon into small pieces
4. Add bacon to pot and cook until crispy
5. Stir in diced onion, cook until translucent 5 to 6 minutes
6. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring often
7. Add chicken broth and water to the pot. Add crushed red pepper flakes, salt and pepper
8. Add thinly sliced potatoes and the cooked sausage to the pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat
9. Continue cooking until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes
10. Add the kale to the soup, and simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
11. Stir in the heavy cream and let heat through
12. Ladle soup into bowls and serve with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese 

Hearty Bread makes this soup a Meal!!

Of course a nice loaf of italian bread goes great with this soup, especially if you cut nice thick slices. I have also used crescent rolls, brown and serves with garlic butter brushed on top. All yummy. Sometimes I will also add cut up left over chicken to this soup too. As I said above you can substitute and change this soup to your liking.  Buon Appetito!!!

Adding Fine Wine makes this soup Special!!

Obviously Italians love their wine, and it is served with all dinners. Most European countries do enjoy wine with their meals. Americans lost this tradition because of prohibition, we are just gaining ground on reinstating this lovely tradition. So it you would like to enjoy a fine wine from the Best Napa and Sonoma Wines please visit my page to  read all about it. And the opportunity to get your wine free!! Nice right?

Above all, the price and quality of these wonderful wines we receive every month is amazing. Everyone I share these wines with always comment on how delicious they are. 

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