Howdy all, hope you had a nice weekend! I woke up to dark and stormy skies on Saturday, but shook my fist at Mother Nature and decided to move forward with my morning plans anyways – strolling through the Farmers’ Market with my Mom!
We hadn’t been in weeks, and were positivity tickled to find that we practically had the place to ourselves. It seemed most chose to stay at home rather than risk getting caught in the rain.
More samples for us! ;) (PS have you ever had a yellow watermelon? It was my first time, and I was shocked at how sweet it was. Nearly double that of a red. So yum!)
I stocked up on hedge apples to keep Fall buggies out of the house (place next to all doors that lead outside on a small piece of foil. Totally works!)
And got a Spinach & Cheese Pupusa to share with my Mom!
We felt guilty about eating this much masa and cheese at 8:30am for about 14 seconds before completely demolishing it.
MUWAHAHA!
The rain eventually came later that morning, so Ben and I spent the remainder of the day strolling through the mall, reading, and watching The Notebook, which sent me into an emotional tailspin. I had never seen it before and have never felt so happy yet depressed at the same time. What a tear jerker! (And HELL-o, where has Ryan Gosling been all my life?)
Blue skies prevailed this morning so Ben and I decided to get one final use out of our summer fishing licenses and try our luck at snagging a few swimmers at a nearby lake.
I might have completely made this up, but I feel like the day after rain is the best time to go fishing.
Actually, I probably did make that up because we got nothing. Zip. Zero. Zilch. AGAIN! Tons of nibbles, but in the end our hooks got more action from the pond weeds than the blue gills (which I could see in the water, yet they wanted nothing to do with my bait.) Little jerks.
A little kitchen therapy had me feeling better. I made a big pot of Tuscan Kale & White Bean Soup when we got home.
If you live in Iowa then you know it was about 90 degrees today, but I literally could not help myself. Saturday’s dreary weather had me itching to make something cozy, and I am so into Fall foods right now it’s not even funny. If you had one sip of this soup, you’d totally get it too!
Chopped carrots, onions and garlic mingle with fresh kale, creamy white beans, salty kielbasa, and savory parmesan cheese in this easy, flavorful soup recipe. I can already tell I’ll be making it all winter long, using the kale I’ve been chopping and freezing from my garden!
Start the Tuscan Kale & White Bean Soup by sauteing 3 sliced carrots and 1/2 chopped onion in 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a big soup pot over medium heat. When the veggies are tender, add 2 cloves minced garlic and 1/2lb polska kielbasa (double check the package to make sure it’s gluten-free. Johnsonville is!)
Once the kielbasa is golden brown add 4 cups chicken broth into the pot while scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to loosen up all the yummy brown bits. Mmmm.
Next add 1 bay leaf, and a small piece of parmesan cheese rind. Whole Foods sells leftover parmesan cheese rinds (for pennies!) for this exact use – adding tons of flavor and a nice richness to soup. So next time you whiddle through a wedge, be sure to save the rind in the freezer to add to your next pot.
Then add 1 can drained & rinsed Great Northern Beans, and 4 cups chopped kale. FYI cannellini beans are traditionally used in Tuscan White Bean Soup, but I like Great Northern’s better because they’re smaller and more creamy.
Place a lid on the pot and simmer until the kale is tender, about 15 minutes, stirring once or twice.
Finally, sprinkle in 2 Tablespoons parmesan cheese then give the pot one big final stir.
That’s all she wrote!
Serve with an extra sprinkling of parmesan cheese, if you please, then dig in!
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
Tuscan Kale & White Bean Soup
Description
Tuscan Kale & White Bean Soup is hearty yet light, and packed with vegetables and kielbasa. The perfect cold-weather soup!
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, sliced
- salt & pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or microplaned
- 1/2 lb gluten-free kielbasa, cut into bite-sized pieces (I used Johnsonville brand)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 can great northern beans, rinsed and drained
- 2x2" Parmesan cheese rind
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups chopped kale (remove leaves from stems/center vein before chopping)
- 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
Directions
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add carrots and onions then season with salt and pepper and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds then add kielbasa and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Add chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen brown bits, then add beans, Parmesan cheese rind, and bay leaf. Turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Stir in kale then place a lid on the pot, turn heat down to medium-low, and simmer until kale is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese then taste and adjustment seasonings if necessary.
- Remove bay leaf (Parmesan cheese rind can stay in - it will continue to flavor leftovers) then serve with additional Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top, if desired.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Light yet hearty, Tuscan Kale & White Bean Soup is perfectly satisfying and seriously, obnoxiously good. Ben and I both gave it two thumbs up.
Plus it’ll just get better and better as it sits. Awesome for leftover lunches with an apple or salad.
Well folks – it’s time to go unwind before the start of another crazy week! Have a great night!
~~~~~
What was the highlight of your weekend?Â
Ann 09.23.2012
Made this tonight with chicken and apple sausage I had in the freezer. Wonderful soup. Had it with beer bread.
Marcie 09.06.2012
I made this soup over the weekend and it was very very good. I mean awesomely good. I forgot beans from grocery so I did some via crockpot and used some stock from that with some hot peppers. Grandkids liked it too.
Making Peace with Eggplant « floWord 09.01.2012
[…] way, Beth is a gorgeous writer and has a new blog that you can check out here.) But I just found this kale recipe, and when soup-weather returns, I’m prepared to […]
Christy 08.30.2012
Made this soup last night in defiance of the 90+ degree weather. Holy yum! I think it may be one of the best soups I’ve ever had! Normally soup recipes i make don’t have enough flavor but this one was awesome and also tasted like it had been simmering all day but took me 30 minutes to make!! And the leftovers were even better:)
Mini Fruit & Bacon Kabobs with Sugared Lime Zest | Iowa Girl Eats 08.30.2012
[…] seems Mother Nature was not pleased with my fall soup shenanigans last weekend, and took her revenge by handing us a sweltering 100 degree day today. Thus, plans to show you my […]
Mollie 08.28.2012
We were at the market early, too! Not crowded, just how I like it! Nice to be able to move when walking down the street. We were downing a pupusa at about 8:30am too! I always get the pork one. Sooo good! And the yellow watermelon- Yum!
Daily Escape – Lake Malawi | Iowa Girl Eats 08.28.2012
[…] Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa, is the eighth largest lake in the world and is located in southeastern Africa between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. In addition to being a popular tourist spot for local and international visitors, due to it’s picturesque beaches and islands, Lake Malawi is also home to more species of fish than any other body of fresh water on earth. Hmmm…perhaps Ben and I would have better luck fishing here? […]
morgan 08.27.2012
My husband made me watch The Notebook again on Saturday, too. That’s right, HE made ME watch it. I think he likes to see me cry…Have you read the book? It’s a little different, and even better I think. Plus there’s sort of a sequel.
EM 08.27.2012
Love that photo with those gorgeous flowers!
Manon 08.27.2012
I went to the Farmer’s Market early Saturday and it was GLORIOUS! I also busted out my favorite hoodie and curled up on the couch with soup Saturday night…….then thought I was going to die running and biking in the humidity and heat on Sunday. Only in Iowa :)
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio 08.27.2012
Highlight was trying out crossfit for the first time… UNREAL!
Rachel 08.27.2012
oo yum! I’ve been wanting to make soup for a while now since it’s getting cooler… I’ll try this out!
Rachael {SimplyFreshCooking} 08.27.2012
I eat soup in 100 degree weather. Sure, people think I’m nuts, but I can enjoy a good bowl of soup whenever! This soups looks delish and it’s one of my fave’s! :) :)
Allyson Smith 08.27.2012
I can’t decide what I find more shocking… that you hadn’t seen The Notebook before or that you’ve just realized how delicious Ryan Gosling is! Have you seen Crazy, Stupid, Love? He’s my absolute fav!
Iowa Girl Eats 08.27.2012
No I’ve been meaning to though, thanks for the reminder!
Paige 08.27.2012
New to the blog, really like the recipes! And thankful they are on the simple side for the most part. Tried the green monster shake this weekend and LOVED it. I’ve been struggling with breakfast, so this is perfect! Thanks for sharing, can’t wait to try the white bean soup recipe!
Deborah 08.27.2012
On Sunday went to the MN State Fair, always a good time with lots of good food. Hot day at 90°!
Jessica C. 08.27.2012
Soup looks great – but not sure I could have had it yesterday , so unexpectedly hot! :) Thought about going to the Farmers Market, but stayed inside like most people! Need to go next week!
Michele A. 08.27.2012
We must have watched the same “The Notebook” on TV last night! I’d never seen it before, either – and I was a sobbing MESS at the end! James Garner is the best – what a wonderful, wonderful movie…. :)
stephanie @cookinfanatic 08.27.2012
seriously might travel to iowa to that market just for those pupusas. gahhhhhh sooooo good. every time!
Lauren 08.27.2012
Even though I’m not quite ready to admit that it’s soup season, I’m willing to reconsider for this one. Looks delicious!