Slow Cooker Kale and Chorizo Soup

Photography by Jeff Coulson/TC Media

By Rheanna Kish and The Test Kitchen at Canadian Living Magazine

Inspired by Portuguese caldo verde, this hearty, richly flavoured soup is a yummy way to use up an entire bunch of kale in one go. It freezes well, so leftovers make quick and easy lunches all week. The soup thickens as it stands; thin with water and adjust the seasonings as desired when you reheat it.




Ingredients
8 oz (227 g) dry-cured chorizo sausage or chouriço, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 spanish onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, sliced
1 lb (454 g) yellow-fleshed potatoes, peeled, halved lengthwise and sliced
2 bay leaves
1 tsp (5 mL) sweet paprika
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper
4 cups (1 L) water
4 cups (1 L) sodium-reduced chicken broth
1 bunch kale, trimmed and shredded

Preparation
In skillet over medium-high heat, brown chorizo. Transfer to slow cooker. Drain any fat from pan (do not wipe clean)

In same skillet, cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, until softened and light golden, about 8 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker.

Add potatoes, bay leaves, paprika, salt and pepper to slow cooker; stir in water and broth. Cover and cook on low until potatoes are tender, 6 to 8 hours.

Discard bay leaves. Using slotted spoon, remove as much chorizo as possible to bowl; set aside.

Add kale to slow cooker; cover and cook on high until tender, about 10 minutes. Using immersion blender, purée soup until almost smooth with a few chunks. Stir in reserved chorizo. (Make-ahead: Freeze in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.)

See the recipe (and more) at Canadian Living

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

(Ashley Tested & Approved!)
Original recipe makes 12 servings

3 pounds cubed beef stew meat
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup baby carrots
4 large potatoes, cubed
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups boiling water
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
3 tablespoons butter
3 onions, sliced
1/4 cup red wine
1/4 cup warm water
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Directions
Place meat in a large plastic bag. Combine 1/4 cup flour with 1/2 teaspoon salt; pour into the bag with the meat, and shake to coat.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add stew meat, and cook until evenly browned on the outside. Transfer to a slow cooker along with the carrots, potatoes, parsley, and pepper. In a small bowl, stir together 2 cups of boiling water and dry soup mix; pour into the slow cooker.

In the same skillet, melt butter and saute onions until softened; remove to the slow cooker. Pour red wine into the skillet, and stir to loosen browned bits of food on the bottom. Remove from heat, and pour into the slow cooker.

Cover, and cook on High for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to Low, and cook for 6 hours, or until meat is fork tender. In a small bowl or cup, mix together 2 tablespoons flour with 1/4 cup warm water. Stir into stew, and cook uncovered for 15 minutes, or until thickened.