This is just a little something to ground you between the inevitable highs and lows of the holidays. Kale, white bean and sweet italian sausage from Skagit River Ranch It’s a moment to go to something simple, familiar – we aren’t re-inventing the wheel here. Maybe use a little of that soup stock from the turkey bones. I made about 6 quarts from two turkeys. It’s important to keep eating healthy for a majority of the time through this season. And honestly, we enjoy the holidays more if we don’t feel like we’ve completely fallen off the cliff with eating habits.
The kale is holding out but has had a couple good hits from freeze. I actually think I could plant more next year. Never enough kale right?
I uncased three links of the sausage and saved one to slice. Ground sausage unlinked is a little more convenient if you have a quality source. One link I sliced in to have some chunks for garnishing but that’s optional
Pulled my last few leeks from the garden as well and sautéd two of them with 1 medium yellow onion along with the 3 links of the sausage with casings removed. From here I added a little carrot and about 1 large bunch of kale cut in large strips and the chicken stock.
My go to white beans are Great Northern Beans from Eden Foods
Put it all together… and garnish with a little grated parmesan. Warming, hearty but not too… time for a little holiday reflection and shopping:)
Side note: This fun laundered linen is from Couleur Nature and can be found at Chez Chloe online.
And a couple real life shots of our Thanksgiving. We moved our living room furniture into the dining room and brought the table out to the living room and added another big table and 2 picnic tables. Tablecloths, candles, flowers and a little adornment made for some beauty and warmth. We sat down and gave thanks with so many great friends.
cheers… wendy
Wendy's Place 
This sounds so wonderful. Perfect for a cold winter’s night. Love your Thanksgiving setting. Looks like a beautiful home.
LikeLike
Wow, that must have been some great dinner with so many friends & family…
The first thing I though when I saw the top pic was “ooooh, I like that linen” – lucky and handy for you to sell that in your shop 🙂
LikeLike
I’m a huge fan of soup, and that looks divine. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
This sounds delicious. I love that you ground some sausage and sliced the rest. I have some turkey stock and this will be perfect. I also agree with taking care of yourself over the holidays. There isn’t anything wrong with celebrating a day here or there, but for two months? What a way to start your new year.
LikeLike
Big ditto. This is new for me- Usually from Thanksgiving week on it’s a free for all for myself and the family. But this year I was like hey- is that fun? I’m thinking my taste buds may have re-calibrated to less sweet. But I still can’t tell if it’s just a phase… so I’ll get back to you in Jan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I lost 45 lbs a few years back. Nothing is worth being that heavy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looks great. I love soup too and am always on the lookout for new ones. Especially if Italian sausage is involved. And you’re right about not falling off the cliff. Thanks!
LikeLike
Oh Wendy .. Your Thanks Giving setting looks fabulous. So nice to share with good friends. As for that yummy soup .. Going to bookmark that one 🙂 I’m definitely going to grow more kale next year .. No doubt about it 🙂
LikeLike
Great. We did have a fabulous time. I did the turkeys and gravy and some bread stuffing and our friends brought the rest- it was an incredible feast of food and friendships old and new. We haven’t moved our couch back cause we love having it in the dining room that’s more of an extension of the kitchen really.
You could do this soup with your eyes closed. Really it doesn’t require a recipe- but I tried. It’s just so good and easy and hits the spot so I wanted to share it. cheers x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you .. And I love that you have left the couch in the kitchen. 🙂
LikeLike
Looks wonderful, Wendy. You are so right about eating well through the holiday mayhem! Glad your Thanksgiving was warm and cozy. We swapped living room and dining room several years ago and have never moved it back! Cheers to you this season.
LikeLike
Funny- that’s what I was just mentioning to Julie- We are loving it too and want to leave it… just wondering where we are going to put the Christmas tree.
LikeLike
I’m working my way toward a kitschy silver tree smack in the middle of the dining table. My family is resisting. Until they surrender, a real tree in the entrance hall it is….. But seriously, the expanded dining option is really fun. Encourages opening the doors to company more often, and that’s a good thing in my book.
LikeLike
I’m laying in bed with a really bad cold, but if someone brought me a bowl of this soup I would lap it up even though I’m not feeling particularly hungry. This may be a way to get my girls to eat kale.
LikeLike
Yes- I think you are on to something there. You could cut it into ribbons as well and they’d barely know it’s there. Try adding a little raw kale (or even better spinach) to some fruity smoothies- they’ll never know! cheers…wendy
LikeLike
Looks so wholesome & nourishing Wendy! We’re well into summer now, but it’s always wonderful to see what’s on the other side of the world. Love your epic Thanksgiving set up too, looks like it was a magical night.
LikeLike
Magical is the perfect word. I love living summer through your side of the world this time of year. Although it’s nice to have some down time from outside duties… but it sure is muddy! cheers… wendy
LikeLike
This looks so yummy! I am recently loving hearty soups with sausages in it. I’m going to have try this. Thanks very much for sharing the recipe…and your Thanksgiving pics too 🙂
LikeLike
I love love fall and winter soups. I think I could eat them just about every night. Going to hop over to your world today:) happy holidays!
LikeLike
This looks really incredible. Nothing better than a great homecooked meal. Thanks for sharing
LikeLike
wow – that looks like a party! Happy holidays Wendy 🙂
LikeLike
Happy New Year!
LikeLike
Happy New Year, Wendy! I’m a little late to comment here since I’m finally back at work from maternity leave and have time to surf the web 😉 This recipe looks awesome. I’m off of dairy/soy right now and have been on the lookup for recipes and this fits the bill (minus the garnish)! I will definitely be making it soon.
LikeLike
Pingback: 30 Ideas for Krogers Thanksgiving Dinner 2019 - The Best Recipes Compilation Ever