15 minute weeknight soup: kale and chicken sausage soup

When a week goes by where temps rarely reach freezing, there’s only one food group that I want to reach for: soup. And when you have a week where there’s nary a time to sit down and plan like I just had, this soup is the perfect weeknight warmer. With the exception of the garlic and chicken sausage, there are no real culinary skills required to cook this soup. All you need is a handful of ingredients, a big soup pot, and about 15 minutes.

Yup, only 15 minutes until a soup full of depth and flavor that will warm you right up.

The flavor depth is hidden in the ingredients; seasoned chicken sausage, the brown bits on the bottom of the pan, diced tomatoes with a little extra sumthin’, and the soup is surprisingly healthy as well, full of beans, tomatoes and kale, which all pass the new years resolution test.

Next time you only have 10 minutes in the store to pick up dinner, grab these ingredients and assemble, instead of the instant food you’ve always grabbed.

Recipe adapted from this one by Real Simple.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 12-ounce package fully cooked chicken sausage links, sliced thin *I love the al fresco brand with roasted red pepper and asiago 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) ¼ teaspoon thyme leaves 1 19-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed 1 14.5-ounce can low-sodium chicken broth 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic & oregano 1 bunch kale leaves (I used an entire package of the baby kale from the bagged salad section) kosher salt and black pepper grated parmesan cheese to finish

Directions:

1. 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.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook for 2 minutes more.
3. Stir in red pepper flakes and thyme leaves
4. Add the beans, broth, and tomatoes and their liquid and bring to a boil.
5. Add the kale and salt and pepper to tase. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Serve soup in bowls, top each bowl with grated parmesan to finish.

6 Tips for Staying Warm this Winter

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The temps have finally lowered to the 30s, snow is kind of on the ground – it’s finally winter!

Call me crazy – but winter is my favorite season of the year. Pink cheeks, cozy fires, amazing aromas and more, the cold really does bring everyone together.

Just how do I stay toasty during these upcoming winter months? Here are six of my tips for staying cozy during the winter months:

1. A great pair of sweatpants & slippers: I am VERY biased here, but there’s a reason Roots sweats are classics, they’re easily the warmest, coziest loungewear out there. Add in a great pair of shearling slippers and you’re set for a day cozying up inside.
2. A warm blanket or throw. I love a faux fur throw for keeping me toasty, they're keep in the warmth because they don't have the holes an afghan does, and they provide a great look and texture to your lounging space. Warm and stylish - a perfect combo.
3. A mug of something warm. Whether its cider, tea, or something with an extra kick, a warm beverage in a mug is perfect for staying warm. The key is the mug, not only does it heat your beverage, its perfect for curling around your hands and cozying up on the couch.
4. A winter scent. Candles are fantastic ambience creators and I love burning them most months of the year. During the winter months I avoid anything super floral when trying to stay warm, instead sticking to balsam, firewood, leather, and more masculine scents to add an extra snuggle to the house.
5. TV and movies you love: winter is great time to re-watch favorite old classic movies and tv shows, or dive into something thrilling that will keep you glued to you seat. As long as you’re distracted with your favorite entertainment, you’ll stay nice and cozy all day long.
6. Something simmering on the stove: outside of a large sauté pan, the pot that gets the most use on my stove in the winter is my dutch oven. Just it’s presence on my stovetop means that something warm and delicious is simmering away, often for hours at a time. From kale sausage stew, to chili, to my favorite soup, a warm bowl of delicious is perfect for beating the winter chill.