Caldo Verde Kale Soup Recipes

CALDO VERDE (PORTUGUESE GREEN SOUP)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook onion and garlic in 3 tablespoons olive oil for 3 minutes. Stir in potatoes and cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes more. Pour in water, bring to a boil, and let boil gently for 20 minutes, until potatoes are mushy.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-low heat, cook sausage until it has released most of its fat, 10 minutes. Drain.
• Mash potatoes or puree the potato mixture with a blender or food processor. Stir the sausage, salt and pepper into the soup and return to medium heat. Cover and simmer 5 minutes.
• Just before serving, stir kale into soup and simmer, 5 minutes, until kale is tender and jade green. Stir in the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and serve at once.

CALDO VERDE (PORTUGUESE SAUSAGE KALE SOUP)

Steps:

• Slice sausage into 1/4-inch rounds. Heat oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add sausage and saute until sausage begins to turn brown and renders some fat, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a dish. Reduce heat to medium-low; add onions and pinch of salt salt. Stir and cook until softened, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer potatoes to pot. Sprinkle in 2 teaspoons salt. Pour in chicken broth. Increase heat to high and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until potatoes are tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
• When potatoes are tender, carefully mash them in the broth with a potato masher until broken up or completely mashed. Add kale, a handful at a time. Transfer browned sausage to soup. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until greens are tender, about 45 minutes.

INSTANT POT CALDO VERDE

Steps:

• Pour oil into cooker insert and select "Sauté." When it's hot, add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned in places, about 5 minutes. Pour off excess fat, add kale, potatoes, onion, and garlic, and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper, then add bay leaves and 6 cups water. Stir to combine, then turn off cooker.
• Lock on lid, making sure steam release valve is in the proper sealed position. Select "Manual" and program for 6 minutes at high pressure.
• As soon as the time has elapsed, turn off cooker, "Quick Release" the steam, and unlock lid. Taste and add more salt, if needed. Divide among bowls and serve.
• Do Ahead: Soup can be made 1 day ahead. Transfer to an airtight container and chill. Rewarm in a large pot over medium heat.
• Cooks' Note: To make it vegetarian/vegan, substitute cooked butter beans or chickpeas for the sausage and add a pinch of smoked paprika.

PORTUGUESE GREEN SOUP (CALDO VERDE)

Steps:

• In a medium soup pot, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil, add onions and garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they turn glassy, don't let them get brown. Add potatoes and water. Cover and boil gently over medium heat for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a skillet cook sausage until most of the fat is rendered out. Drain and reserve. When the potatoes are tender mash them with a potato masher right in the pot. Add sausage to the soup, and then add the kale. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the remaining olive oil and season. Ladle into bowls and serve.

PORTUGUESE KALE SOUP (CALDO VERDE)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot on medium/low. Add onion and carrots and cook until softened, 5-10 minutes.
• Add garlic and cook, stirring often, until fragrant (about 2 minutes).
• Add stock, potatoes, and herbes de Provence. Bring to a boil (high). Reduce to low and simmer gently until potatoes are partially cooked, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, rinse kale and remove/discard tough stems. If flat kale, cut leaves crosswise into 1" ribbons. If curly kale, tear into bite-sized pieces.
• Add kale, tomatoes, beans, and sausage. Cook until tender 5-10 minutes.
• If soup is too thick, thin with more stock or water.
• Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.
• Will keep in fridge, covered, up to 5 days.