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I don’t know about you, but between the Monday to Friday mad dash for school, and work, and all the millions of details involved in managing my household, most days I feel like I’m running around with my hair on fire.
Makes it hard for a girl who loves to cook to feel like she’s doing her family — or her palate — justice to always serve up frozen fare from Trader Joe’s. (And no, I’m not knocking TJ’s – I could devote a whole post to healthy, quick and deelish meal ideas from this favorite store.)
Our familial foursome enjoys mealtime, particularly dinner, so I like to have something yummy and homemade as often as time allows. And now, with the weather turning cooler, I usually plan on making a pot of soup each week for dinner, which leaves plenty of leftovers for lunch. Still, though, there is that time-crunch problem. I don’t always have time enough to chop and prep for the Barefoot Contessa’s lentil soup (in my top 10 fave soups, I have to say) or baked French onion soup. Love, love, love you Julia, but, what working mom really has time to slice 6 pounds of onions and the occasional knuckle with a mandoline in between making cookies for the bake sale, knocking out a post for the blog, and interviewing that person in Florida for the newsletter copy that was due yesterday?? Calgon, take me away…to a place where a wholesome, homemade dinner appears on the table which leaves my family satisfied and me, feeling adored and appreciated…oh, and in under 30 minutes.
There are some solutions. Really. If you don’t believe me, try this Sausage, White Bean and Kale Stew from Real Simple.
Sausage, White Bean and Kale Stew. Maybe the easiest, quickest dinner I've ever made. On the table in 25 minutes, even with one hand tied behind my back. I swear. (Photo from Real Simple)
I discovered this jewel of a recipe a few years ago, and it’s the stand-by meal I can have on the table in less than 30 minutes. No kidding. Now, I will say for optimum flavor and consistency, this stew is best if you can cook it, then turn the heat off and leave on the stove top for a while, as the white beans thicken the broth over time. But, if you’re pressed, 15-20 minutes after it starts to simmer, it’s done. Try it, and see for yourself. Ready? Go!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 12-ounce package fully cooked chicken sausage links, sliced [Amy's version: Any variety of kielbasa-type sausage is great. Just make sure you allow time to cook completely if you buy raw sausage links.]
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced [Amy's version: I used minced garlic - either fresh or jarred]
- 1 19-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed [Amy's version: I use 2 cans of beans]
- 1 14.5-ounce can low-sodium chicken broth [Amy's version: I use 3-4 cups to stretch the recipe]
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes [Amy's version: I use 1½ - 2 cans]
- 1 bunch kale leaves, torn into 2-inch pieces
- kosher salt and black pepper
- [Amy's version: Cayenne pepper or Frank's Red Hot to taste]
- 1 loaf country bread (optional)
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the sausage and cook, stirring once, until browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 2 minutes more.
- Add the beans, broth, and tomatoes and their liquid and bring to a boil.
- Add the kale and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes.
- [Amy's version: Let stew simmer 15 minutes. Turn off heat. Cover. Leave on stove for an hour if time permits]
- Serve with the bread, if using.
What are your quick, favorite soup recipes? Post a comment on the blog, or email me at [email protected] We love hearing from you! Bon appétit!
StyleBluePrint Editor Amy Norton
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9 Responses to “Soup du Jour”
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Thanks for the recipe…. Please do a whole post on the quick, nutritious, and delish meals from TJ. I do not get there often enough and could use some tips on what to stock up on!
You’re welcome. And thanks for the post suggestion on TJ dinners….will keep that one on the back burner. (pun intended.) Thanks for reading!
This is one of my favorite recipes! I found mine on a blog somewhere last year and it’s so amazing! The kale is so hearty and it’s so filling. I’ve started buying the Aidells chicken sausages in the Italian flavor which oddly seems to fit nicely with this soup and I also don’t use the tomatoes, but might have to add them now. Great post!
Love the Aidells brand of chicken sausage – the feta and spinach one is my favorite, but their andouille is a close second. Glad you like the soup, too. Should be cool enough this weekend to make a pot to enjoy… Cheers!
Great post, Amy! I’m excited for soup season! Wanted to suggest Dorot brand frozen garlic in lieu of jarred–it’s available at Trader Joe’s and Harris Teeter (and I would guess Publix, too?) It is a slender packet with a red lid that snaps over 20 little raised cubes of minced garlic. 1 cube = 1 clove. Love it! Makes prepping dinner much easier. Dorot also has packs of basil and cilantro, which I find particularly useful for all our Mexican dishes because cilantro is so difficult to grow. My other “secret” soup ingredient is Amore brand double concentrated tomato paste, which comes in a tube with a screw on cap. It is the perfect addition to a hearty pasta fagioli soup and makes an ideal thickener/flavor enhancer for any bean soup. Yum!
Angie – how awesome are you to pass on such great short cut advice! Love garlic, hate chopping it – adding your Dorot solution to my list! And I use the Amore tomato paste in the tube all the time, too. Love it. Thanks for the heads-up!
I too would like the “hit” list from Trader Joes as I always hear, “oh, this is what I always get there.”
went back and found this post after hearing Kay talk about it this morning- YUM – can’t wait to make it!!!
yum! wanted to leave my praises for this soup. i’m totally clueless in the kitchen and this was easy and so delicious. i loved having the leftovers! i also added texas pete hot sauce and really went crazy with it, although i have a higher spice tolerance than most.