Sausage and White Bean with Kale Soup

I am a big fan of anything sausage, so this soup has really become one of my favorites.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Sausage (I use my homemade stuff - 1 lb Ground Turkey, 1 tsp each of crushed Fennel, Pepper, and Salt plus a dash or two of Crushed Red Pepper; cook it all up with a couple Tbsp of Butter)
• 1 Onion - diced
• 2-3 cloves Garlic - minced
• 5 strips uncooked Bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 quart Chicken Stock
• 2 cans White Beans (or equivalent amount home cooked) - drained
• 1 bunch Kale, stems stripped and leaves cut small
• Salt to taste

Directions

In a large cast iron pan, brown Sausage and Bacon together until done. Add Onion and Garlic and saute until translucent. Place meat mixture in a large soup pot along with Broth and Beans. Add Water if needed to bring the liquid level to a couple inches above the other ingredients. Bring to a simmer. Add Kale, cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 30-45 min at least. Salt to taste before serving.

This is really good with a dash of Cream added to each bowl as well, but it's great without as well.