COLLARD GREENS AND WHITE BEAN SOUP WITH ITALIAN CHICKEN SAUSAGE

COLLARD GREENS AND WHITE BEAN SOUP WITH ITALIAN CHICKEN SAUSAGE image

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 T olive oil
2 sweet or spicy Italian chicken sausages, cut into 1/2" coins
1 C diced onion
1 large carrot, diced
1 large celery
1 lb (about 8 C) collard greens, ribs removed, leaves stacked and thinly sliced crosswise
2 C cooked white beans (if using canned beans, rinse before using)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 bay leaf
1 quart low sodium chicken stock
1/4 C grated Parmesan for serving

Steps:

Heat 1 T oil in large soup pot over med-high heat. Add sausage and cook until browned. Remove sausage and set aside. To the pot, add remaining 1 T olive oil. Lower heat to medium. Stir in onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. Add collard greens, stirring as they wilt and shrink down into the pot. Add beans, salt and pepper, bay leaf, stock, and additional water, as needed, to cover. Simmer soup until the flavors meld, at least 15 minutes. Add sausage into the soup and simmer another minute to heat sausage through. Serve with grated Parmesan, if desired.