Hearty Kale, Sausage and White Bean Soup

I know it is Spring, but it is still pretty chilly out so I decided to warm up with a hearty soup for dinner tonight. This soup is delicious, filling and nutritious!

Hearty Kale, Sausage and White Bean Soup
Serves 4

• 2 chicken or turkey sausage links, casings removed
• 1 tsp. plus 2 tsp. olive oil
• 1 spanish onion, chopped
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp. red chili flakes
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 small bunch of kale, roughly chopped
• 1 can white cannelinni beans, drained and rinsed
• salt and pepper to taste
• Parmesan cheese for garnish

1. Heat a large sauce pot over  medium-high heat. Add the 1 tsp of olive oil and the sausage and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon until cooked through, about 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon remove the sausage to a bowl and set aside.
2. In the same pot add the remaining oil, onions and garlic. Saute until onion is soft, lower heat and continue to cook until onions are golden and caramelized. Stir in red chili flakes and paprika and cook for 30 seconds more.
3. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil, add kale and beans and simmer until kale is wilted.
4. Add in sausage with its juices and continue to simmer for five minutes.
5. Skim off any excess fat from the top of the soup, season with salt and pepper and serve with a sprinkling of Parmesan on top.

 ENJOY!