Caldo Verde (Portuguese Potato Soup with Kale and Sausage)
A classic Portuguese comfort soup with a velvety potato base, vibrant kale, and smoky sausage. Potatoes and onion are simmered until completely soft, then blended smooth to create a thick, starchy base, finished with shredded kale and sliced smoked sausage. Cooking the potatoes until they fall apart allows their natural starch to thicken the soup without any cream or roux, producing a velvety texture from just vegetables and water. The smoked sausage releases its rendered fat and smoky salt into the broth, transforming a plain potato soup into something with substantial depth. The kale is cut into thin ribbons and added for only the final eight minutes of cooking - this preserves its vivid green color and a slight chew, while overcooking turns it dull and stringy. Serving with crusty bread allows the thick soup to soak into the crumb, making it a complete meal.
Adjust Servings
Instructions
- 1
Dice potatoes and onion, and mince garlic.
- 2
Saute onion and garlic in oil until fragrant.
- 3
Add potatoes and water, then simmer until potatoes are very soft.
- 4
Blend the soup until smooth and creamy.
- 5
Add shredded kale and sausage, simmer 8 more minutes, and season with salt.
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