Caldo Verde

Caldo Verde

Ingredients: 

1/4 cup of good olive oil 
3 garlic cloves minced or chopped 
4 medium or 2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
8 cups of water, or half homemade chicken stock and half water 
1/2 pound kale or collard greens, stems removed, cut into very, very fine julienne (i end up putting half in the food processor)
Good salt:  kosher, sea salt or rock sea salt                                                                                                              Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chouriço and cook until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon remove the chouriço to a plate. 

 2. Add the onions into the pot and season with salt and pepper. Saute until they’re translucent and very soft. Add garlic after to prevent them from burning and cook for 2 minutes more. 

3. Add your 8 cups of liquid (I always have my electric kettle full of hot water on standby). Then drop in the potatoes and bring to a boil. Cook until the potatoes are almost done, 15 to 20 minutes. 

4. When potatoes are almost done lower heat so that you can puree with an immersion blender. Do not puree completely. Leave them a little chunky for a more rustic comfort feel. You can also add the chouriço here to blend as well. Since I do not eat meat I add the cooked chouriço at the end and my husband gets to eat the chunks of chouriço that way.

5. Add the shredded greens and bring everything back to a boil and cook down greens for 15-20 minutes. Season with more salt, if needed, and pepper.

6. Ladle the caldo verde into bowls and enjoy.

Keep in mind when I make soup I'm only cooking for my husband and I. I always make enough for seconds with leftovers for each of us the next day. I don't make enough for a feast and left over soup in the fridge for a week. We all know our mothers are good for that. So keep that in mind with the amount of ingredients I use for soup. If you are a family of 6 and you want seconds, then double this recipe :) 

Enjoy!