Soups are in full swing again in a major way. It’s been cold here– like low 40’s cold.
Yep, I know, I am getting soft. I used to think 15F was cold, complete with whipping winds, freezing toes and piles of ice and snow on the side of the road. No more of that and I can’t say I miss it.
I’ll take my mild winter days where a hat may be necessary (but probably not) and a cup of tea or hot soup is just what you need to warm your bones and soul.
Specifically, this Collard Greens Soup.
It has a wonderfully complex and flavorful broth that has some body to it. The collard greens cook long enough to almost melt and are so buttery and tender. Add in the creamy beans and chunks of spicy sausage and this is winter warmth in a bowl. This is one of the best soups I’ve ever made…seriously, that good!
I am totally loving it and can not wait to make it again (which could be tomorrow)! I am classifying it as a Sunday Supper because of the cooking time. It is not a lot of work but does need to cook for 90 minutes. So, no, not a weeknight dinner. Unless, of course, you make it in advance and reheat!
NOTES:
- I usually buy Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage from the butcher case at Whole Foods Market or PCC Natural Markets. They are usually sold in Pork Casings so I crumble them out of the casing. Also, I really like the texture and flavor of the crumbled sausage over sausage rounds but if that is the only kind you can get, just chop them into small to medium sized chunks.
- Anasazi Beans are a heirloom bean from New Mexico. They taste like a cross between a creamy white bean and a soft pinto bean.
- Here are two other soup recipes where I’ve used Parmesan Rind. Mushroom Barley with Kale Soup and Italian Butterbean and Chicken Sausage Soup. I discuss it in detail in the NOTES section of the Mushroom Barley.
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Collard Greens Soup with Beans and Chicken Sausage.
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 2 medium yellow onions quartered and thinly sliced
- 3 medium cloves garlic chopped
- 1/2 pound spicy Italian chicken sausage crumbled
- 8 ounces mushrooms cleaned, stems trimmed and quartered
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 3 cups Anasazi Beans see NOTE for substitutions
- 2 heads collard greens cleaned, stems removed and chopped into bite sized pieces
- 1 small parmesan rind
- 4 cups organic chicken broth
- 6 cups water
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Peel and quarter two medium yellow onions and then thinly slice.
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Chop garlic and crumble sausage out of casings. Wash mushrooms, trim ends and quarter.
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If using canned beans, rinse and drain. If using cooked, measure three cups of beans without bean cooking liquid and set aside. Remove stems from collard greens and cut into bite sized pieces (about 1" squares).
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Heat a large soup pot over medium heat. Once hot, oil olive oil and then sliced onions. Cook onions, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes.
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Add garlic and sausage and cook, breaking up sausage with a spoon for 5 minutes.
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Next toss in mushrooms, bay leaf, fennel seeds, paprika, salt and pepper. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes.
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Finally, add collards, beans, broth, water and parmesan rind. Raise heat and bring to a boil.
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Once boiling, lower to a simmer and cook, uncovered 60 minutes.
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Serve hot topped with whole wheat croutons and Enjoy!
Recipe Makes 14 Cups or 7 Servings
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Hi Alyssa,
I’m stopping by to say thanks for being a part of the YBR this month. I love your soup!
Thanks Nancy and thanks for hosting 🙂
I love slow-cooked greens, and this soup sounds just perfect. Can’t wait to try it, Alyssa!
Thanks Christie – I hope you love it – let me know 🙂
I love hearty soups filled with veggies in the winter!
Me too Laura – I always seem to be making a pot of soup of some kind!
Soup is definitely on my menu a lot right now. It’s so comforting in this cold weather. I tried making a soup with chicken sausage but the brand I used had NO flavor. I’ll have to swing by Whole Foods to pick some up. Love the flavor combination in your recipe!
Thanks Wendy! I really like their meat department and usually buy the Spicy Chicken Sausage but the mild is also good if you are not into spice.
I’ve been making a few different soups on Sunday and living off them as meals through the week – definitely trying this one!
I do the same thing Ashley. I try to freeze some for future lunches as well – I hope you love it!
Definitely soup season. We are haviing a “heat wave” starting today, 40+F, will not last though so this soup is saved for when the weather is back to “shivering” normal..
Those are the heat waves I don’t miss Norma!!!
We’ve been eating a ton of soups lately – seems like it’s all I crave in the winter! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the spoons, they look great in your photos! 🙂
I love them so much Faith!!!
I am such a wimp when it comes to winter weather. I think 50s is cold and it gets well below that here. Soup is the best way to stay warm and happy during the winter. Thanks for sharing it looks delicious!
You must live in CA or FL Nancy! I hear you – I am getting wimpier by the day 😉
Looks delicious. I think collard greens are so under-appreciated.
I do too – I never get sick of them and I usually save the stalks for a stir fry!
Hi Alyssa – this sounds like a great soup. Question, though, if you’re starting with dry beans, do you soak & cook them first? Thanks!
Good Morning Carol! I just edited the recipe to reflect “3 Cups Cooked Beans”. That was confusing – sorry about that! So for these beans, I cooked a huge pot of them a couple days before I made this soup so use cooked beans. If you can’t find the Anastazi Beans, use any creamy White Bean. I really think you are going to love this soup 🙂