Zuppa Toscana

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Pregnancy has me craving lots of different things. The other night it was homemade apple pie and last night it was a fresh bowl of homemade Zuppa Toscana!
Here is my version of this delicious soup from my kitchen to yours!
Enjoy!

Dry Ingredients:
1 tablespoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chili powder
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Meat:
1 pound lean ground beef - you can also use spicy sausage but I'm not a fan so I use ground beef instead.
4 ounces bacon - chopped into small pieces
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Fresh Ingredients:
4-5 large russet potatoes washed but not peeled
1 large white onion - chopped
1 large bunch Kale
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Liquids:
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup half & half
Note: you can use just heavy whipping cream or just half & half. I like to mix both because I get just the right thickness I like.
8 cups water
2 8oz cans chicken broth
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Optional ingredients/additions:
Feel free to add minced garlic if you are a garlic fan
Add more chili powder to the ground beef for extra spice!
You can also add more salt/pepper or other seasonings to your liking.
 
 Cooking Directions:
Heat some oil in a large soup pot (I like to use Olive Oil) and add ground beef, salt, pepper and chili powder - brown meat until it is fully cooked.
Remove beef from the soup pot and put in a separate bowl. It will be added to the soup later.
*If you choose to use sausage, you don't need the other ingredients, just add the sausage and cook thoroughly.

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In the same pot, add the onion and bacon and sauté until the onion is golden brown.
In the meantime, slice the potatoes into even slices and set aside.
 
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Once the onion is golden and the bacon is a little crisp, add the 8 cups of water and 2 8oz cans of chicken broth to the onion/bacon.
Bring to a boil and then add all of the potatoes.
Simmer for about ten minutes until the potatoes are a little soft.
*I had to change pots because the one I started with was too small. I suggest starting with a larger pot so you don't have extra dishes to wash at the end!
 
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Lastly, add the heavy cream and half & half and kale and the ground beef that you set aside earlier.
Mix well and allow to simmer another 5-10 minutes until the potatoes are fully cooked.
 
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Serve and enjoy!
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For more recipes, visit my Recipe's tab at the top of my page!
Have a wonderful weekend!
 
♥, Denise

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