White Bean Soup with Roasted Garlic, Sausage and Kale

White Bean Soup with Roasted Garlic, Sausage and Kale

1 whole garlic head
4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1/2 cup finely chopped peeled potato
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon tomato paste
5 cups chicken stock (low sodium)
2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed - divided
6 cups chopped fresh kale
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces Smoked Turkey Sausage or Turkey Polska Kielbasa


Preheat the oven to 425F.

Remove the outer papery covering of the garlic. Slice off the top of the head so most of the cloves are exposed. Place on a square of aluminum foil for easy cleanup, or select the smallest baking dish you have. Drizzle 1 teaspoon oil over the cloves. Fold the foil over the head to completely enclose it, or cover the baking dish with foil.

Roast for about 45 minutes, until the garlic is completely soft and lightly browned.

Remove from oven to cool, about 10 minutes. Squeeze out the roasted garlic into a small bowl and discard skins.

Heat the remaining oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and salt; sauté 5 minutes. Add carrot and the next 4 ingredients (carrot through tomato paste); cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

Meanwhile, place one half of the rinsed beans on a plate and mash thoroughly, using a potato masher or a fork. Set aside. Add stock and half the remaining beans to the onion mixture and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
While the soup simmers, slice the sausage into ¼ inch thick rounds and fry in a non-stick skillet until fat is rendered out and the sausage is browned and crisp, about 2 minutes each side. Drain on paper towels and set aside.

Just before serving the soup, stir in garlic, kale, and kielbasa; simmer 10 minutes or until kale is tender. Stir in lemon juice and pepper. Serve immediately.

I'll come back later and add nutrition facts.
Chari