Caldo Verde Recipe

Caldo Verde is a traditional Portuguese kale and potato soup. It is very easy to make, and a perfect winter dish – especially if you frequent local farmer’s markets where potatoes, kale and cabbage are just about all you can find…

Many recipes for Caldo Verde include beans, usually cannellini or borlotti beans. Although not considered traditional, I like it with the beans. It gives the soup a thicker, heartier quality.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large sweet onion - diced
2 cloves hard-neck garlic - minced
½ pound chorizo sausage - diced
4-6 medium red potatoes - diced
8 cups liquid – either water or chicken stock – ideally homemade
1 pound kale – deveined and julienned
½ pound cabbage – julienned
2 cups cooked borlotti or cannellini beans
sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions:
1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until they are translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and the chorizo, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the potatoes, cover everything with the chicken stock, bring to a boil and then lower the heat and simmering until the potatoes are almost done, about 10 to 15 minutes.

2. About 5 minutes before serving, add the greens, cabbage and cooked beans. Bring everything back to a boil and simmer for 2-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

serves 4-6