Unhinged Kale Kielbasa Soup

Album: Earfood | Roy Hargrove

This kale kielbasa soup is known as “unhinged” in our house because it is over-the-top delicious every time. Mincing fresh thyme is worth the effort for this winter soup. Regarding Earfood: I’ve never seen a musician have as much fun as Roy Hargrove’s drummer, Quincy Phillips, at a live performance at Jazz Alley in Seattle back in 2016. This album is bookended by two outstanding tracks, but the entire collection is superb. Pairing the album with kale kielbasa soup will warm the entire family.

The soup has a little kick to it from the chili flakes–so leave out if you are avoiding spice, or amp up if, like me, you enjoy the added spice to intensify the warming effect. The kielbasa, leeks, kale, and potatoes make up the body of the soup, which is a fantastic combination for a hearty main dish soup. We eat this to warm us up on colder days. Serve with crusty bread and sprinkle Parmesan on individual bowls at the table.

In our house, we like to serve this soup to guests who visit on cool days. It’s hearty enough to be almost-stew. I find it also makes a good freezer meal, so I make plenty and then freeze some to heat up later. It will keep in the freezer for months. The kielbasa and potatoes used make a big difference, so select with care. Our local butcher makes excellent kielbasa and we use that, but major brands work great too. I’ve made with both turkey and traditional pork kielbasa and both suit the recipe well.

Album Pairing: Earfood | Roy Hargrove

🎵 Listen to the album while you cook or eat 🎵

Make Kale Kielbasa Soup

Unhinged Kale Kielbasa Soup

This soup is known as “unhinged” in our house because it is over-the-top delicious every time. Mincing fresh thyme is worth the effort for this winter soup. Regarding Earfood: I’ve never seen a musician have as much fun as Roy Hargrove’s drummer, Quincy Phillips, at a live performance at Jazz Alley in Seattle back in 2016. This album is bookended by two outstanding tracks at both ends, but the entire collection is superb.

Ready in 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Active time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Ingredients  

• 2 lb kielbasa
• 2 leeks
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 4 cloves garlic
• 6 Tbsp olive oil
• 3 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp allspice
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 28 oz can diced tomatoes
• 3 quarts low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
• 4 bay leaves
• Salt
• Pepper
• 4 medium yukon gold potatoes
• 2 bunches kale
• Grated parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

1. Chop kielbasa into half-coins. Wash and chop leeks and mince thyme and garlic.
2. Heat 6 Tbsp olive oil in a large soup pot. When oil is hot, add the kielbasa and cook, stirring frequently, until browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the 2 leeks and 2 Tbsp thyme and cook until leeks are wilted, about 5 minutes.
4. Add 4 cloves garlic, 3 tsp paprika, ½ tsp allspice, and ¼ tsp red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Add the 28 oz canned tomatoes, 3 quarts broth, 4 bay leaves, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, wash and chop the potatoes into ½ inch cubes. Wash and chop the kale, removing tough stems.
7. Add the kale and potatoes to the soup and simmer uncovered until potatoes are fork-tender, about 30 minutes.

Notes

Serve with crusty bread and sprinkle Parmesan on individual bowls at the table.

Album pairing: Earfood | Roy Hargrove

Keywords comfort soup, hearty soup, kale soup, kielbasa soup, potato kale soup, potato leek soup, sausage kale soup, winter soup recipe

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