A winter favorite, this easy recipe makes a quick & hearty meal. I always have dark greens in my fridge, and you can substitute the kale with broccoli rabe (rapini), escarole, chard, or even broccoli.

A brunch variation only requires the addition of a poached egg: the ooey egg yolk is a perfect match with the creamy soup broth.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 3 cloves of garlic, peeled & smashed
• Red chili flake
• 0.5lb mild ground italian pork [optional]
• 1 bunch organic lacinato kale, chopped
• 2 cans [15oz] organic cannellini beans
• 32oz of chicken broth*
• Parmesan cheese
• Parmesan rind [optional]

Instructions

1) Heat up olive oil in pot on medium heat and add smashed garlic. Once you hear the garlic start to sizzle, add chili flake to your preference. I use a few heavy shakes from the spice jar, I suggest starting with 1/2 tsp and adjusting to your taste in the future.

2) If you are adding ground italian pork, do so now and break it up as the garlic continues to cook. You don’t want the pot too hot, the garlic cloves should just sizzle but not brown in order to cook that delicious garlicky flavor into the olive oil.

3) Once ground pork is broken up, add chopped kale to the pot and mix. Season with salt.

4) Open your beans and drain the liquid from the can. The kale should soften by now, add the beans to the pot. Stir everything together and let this mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add Parmesan rind, if using.

5) Add broth and bring heat up to simmer the mixture for another 10 minutes. The broth should change from clear to milky during this time as the starch from the beans cooks in with the soup.

6) Top each bowl with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh cracked pepper. Served with some crusty bread to soak up every last drop!

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*I have transitioned to using broth concentrate, and love it! Not only does it take up less space, but there is less waste:

1) A jar can keep for months in the fridge, and I can make what I need. So no more partial cartons being thrown away.

2) Less waste period. Those cartons are not recyclable and 1 jar = 8-9 cartons!