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Hearty Portuguese Caldo Verde Soup

Portuguese Caldo Verde soup - featured image
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A comforting and hearty Portuguese soup featuring creamy potatoes, tender kale, and smoky chouriço, perfect for cozy nights and quick meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds (700 grams) potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 ounces (170 grams) Portuguese chouriço, sliced thin (or smoked kielbasa/andouille sausage as substitute)
  • 6 cups (180 grams) kale, thinly sliced (curly or lacinato)
  • 4 cups (1 liter) chicken or vegetable broth
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: crusty bread for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ingredients: Peel and dice the potatoes into roughly 1-inch cubes. Thinly slice the kale with ribs removed. Slice the chouriço thinly.
  2. Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding burning.
  3. Add diced potatoes and 4 cups of broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are very tender.
  4. Use an immersion blender to puree the potatoes and broth until smooth and creamy. If using a regular blender, blend in batches carefully and return to pot.
  5. Stir in sliced kale and chouriço. Simmer for another 5-7 minutes until kale softens but retains slight bite and sausage releases smoky flavor.
  6. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper gradually, tasting as you go. Add more broth or water if soup is too thick.
  7. Serve warm, drizzled with a little extra olive oil if desired, and with crusty bread for dipping.

Notes

If kale is tough, blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds before adding. Soak spicy chouriço slices in warm water to mellow heat. Add salt gradually as sausage may add saltiness. For vegetarian version, omit sausage and add smoked paprika or liquid smoke plus beans for protein. Soup thickens when refrigerated; add broth or water when reheating.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caldo Verde, Portuguese soup, kale soup, chouriço, comfort food, easy soup recipe, hearty soup, cozy meals

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/hearty-portuguese-caldo-verde-soup-recipe-easy-for-cozy-nights/