I threw dinner in the crock pot at 10:30 PM last night. I was a  little worried since I hadn’t tried this one out yet but it turned out well.

1 – 10-16 oz. ring smoked beef sausage (sale+ coupon at Acme last week – $2)
4 medium-large red potatoes (any potato will do)
1 large onion
3 cloves garlic (1/2 – 1 teaspoon garlic powder would work. All depends how much you like garlic)
1- 32 oz. beef broth
2 cups water
1 small head kale
Crushed red pepper to taste – I wouldn’t add much unless you like it really spicy.

Layer in the crock pot in this order –

Chop kale and place in bottom of crock pot.
 Slice potatoes thin or use slicer on food processor and add.
Chop onion and dice garlic.
Slice smoked sausage in thin rounds.
Add broth and water.
I heated it in the crock pot overnight on high for 6 hours and it was definitely done. It should be fine on low for 6-8 hours.

Husband – good
Me – really liked it
Boy1 – Good
Boy2 – Good
Girl who hates soup – gooooood (she ate some, that’s good.)

What would I do differently? Well, I would make it this way in a hurry but if I had more time –
I would add more crushed red pepper.
I would use regular sausage.
I would add 1/4 cup cream near the end for a richer soup.
I would also crumble a little fried bacon in  – 3-4 slices.

I would say this soup is similar to my favorite Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana.

Who gets credit for the recipe? ME. I just threw it together