Turkey Sausage, Kale & Orzo Soup Recipe

CREDIT: PHOTOGRAPHER: JENNIFER CAUSEY; FOOD STYLIST: CHELSEA ZIMMER; PROP STYLIST: CHRISTINE KEELY

Turkey Sausage, Kale & Orzo Soup

Original recipe: health.com

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 12 ounces hot Italian turkey sausage
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 (15-ounces) can no-salt-added fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 6 cups unsalted chicken stock
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 1 Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind (optional)
• ¾ cup whole-wheat orzo (Right Rice is a good substitute for lower carb and lower GI option. Also, consider using Riced Cauliflower. Add either option after cooking the soup.)
• 6 cups stemmed and chopped Lacinato kale
• ? cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high. Cook sausage, breaking it into pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to a medium bowl.
2. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to drippings in saucepan. Cook onion, carrots, and celery over medium-high, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add diced tomatoes, stock, rosemary, and (if using) cheese rind. Bring to a boil over medium-high. Stir in orzo and cook, stirring occasionally, until orzo is not quite al dente, about 8 minutes. Stir in kale and reserved sausage and cook, stirring constantly, until kale is just tender and sausage is heated through, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Remove and discard rosemary sprigs and cheese rind. Divide soup among 6 bowls; top evenly with grated cheese and serve immediately.

PRO-TIP:

Freeze It! Omit the orzo and kale when cooking and then freeze. To reheat, slowly simmer over medium until hot; then bring to a boil over medium-high. Add orzo and, when almost cooked through, add greens and cook for 1 minute more.