Caldo Verde (Creamy Potato and Kale Soup)

Recipe by Paula.

For me, this soup is Portugal and pure comfort. It is called Caldo Verde, a creamy potato and kale soup. It literally means "Green Soup". This soup is so loved in Portugal that it is the country's national dish. I use to devour bowls of this soup as a kid. So, it's no wonder that every time I make it, I feel like I'm home.

I served this soup as part of a Portuguese dinner I recently had in my home. In my opinion, you can't have a true Portuguese dinner without this soup on the menu. Enjoy! :)

Serves: 8

Ingredients:
8 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoons salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 large onions, quartered
1 1/2 lbs potatoes, peeled and halved (about 4)
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 oz chourico (cured sausage)
2 cups water
2 cups kale, finely shredded
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. In a large soup pan, combine all the ingredients except for the kale. Leave the chourico in one piece. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 45 to 50 minutes, or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

2. Remove chourico, slice thinly and reserve. Transfer soup to a food processor or blender and puree in batches until smooth. Transfer soup back to the pot and add the shredded kale. Cook kale until its wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. To serve, ladle soup into bowls and garnish each serving with a few chourico slices and a drop of olive oil.