Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Stew on A Snowy Day

We had our second snowfall here today, and after wrestling with the dilemma of whether to go to the gym or to Target after the boys’ naps, I made a snow-fueled decision: neither. Conveniently, I already had this yummy soup on the weekly dinner menu. What better way to spend a snowy day than in PJ’s playing with my boys while the heavenly scent of warm, simmering soup wafts through my house? Divine!

If it weren’t for my two year old, I would have stayed in all day, admiring the fluffy white stuff from the warm side of the window. Austin took one wide-eyed look at the snow falling down and quickly requested his coat and boots. How do you say no to that innocent excitement? After romping around with our two dogs and a wire mesh strainer he was calling a “shovel” and a “butterfly net” interchangeably, we were ready for a warm lunch…

Okay, so let’s get down to the details. Who doesn’t love a super-quick, super-easy, one-pot meal that is also healthy? My cousin Kelly shared this with me about a year ago, and my husband asks for it weekly when the weather turns cold. (Which it most certainly has in northern Virginia). My boys are not quite to the “soup-loving” age, but the grilled cheeses I make to go along with it are the toddler equivalent of comfort food. Enjoy!

Sausage, Kale, and White Bean Stew
SERVES: 6-8 adapted from realsimple.com

2 - 12 oz package chicken sausage, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup white wine
1 14.5 oz can chicken broth
2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 bunch kale, stems removed and leaves roughly chopped
1 tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp roasted red pepper flakes, optional
Crusty baguette

In a large pot, cook sausage until browned on both sides, turning once. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add wine to deglaze the pan, scraping browned bits off bottom of pot. Add beans, tomatoes, and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add in the kale and reduce to a simmer. Let cook approximately 15 minutes, until kale is wilted. Serve with crusty bread or ooey-gooey white cheddar grilled cheese sandwiches. Mmmmm… where’s my bowl?

Wishing you a home-cooked meal in fast-food time,

Melissa