Caldo Verde Recipe
portuguese kale, chourico & potato soup
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Ingredients
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Broth & Vegetables
Sausage & Garnish
Method
Broth & Vegetables
Prep vegetables
Peel the potatoes and cut into 2–3 cm (3/4–1 inch) chunks so they cook evenly. Peel and roughly chop the onion. Smash and coarsely chop the garlic. Remove thick ribs from kale and slice leaves crosswise into very thin ribbons (about 2–4 mm wide). Rinse and drain the kale. Reserve separately.
Sweat aromatics
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat 3 tbs extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 6–8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant; do not brown.
Simmer potatoes
Add the potato chunks to the pot and stir to coat. Pour in 1.5 liters of chicken or vegetable stock and add the bay leaf, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cook until the potatoes are very tender and falling apart, 15–20 minutes.
Make creamy base
Remove and discard the bay leaf. Using an immersion blender, purée about two-thirds of the soup in the pot until smooth and creamy but still a little textured. Alternatively, transfer portions to a blender and return to the pot. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
Sausage & Garnish
Cook the chouriço
Meanwhile, slice the chouriço into 3–5 mm rounds or half-moons. Heat 1 tbs olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and sear until the edges are crisp and the fat renders, about 3–4 minutes per side. If using smoked paprika, sprinkle it over the sausage during the last minute and toss. Remove from heat and set aside, reserving any rendered oil.
Finish soup
Return the pot of puréed soup to medium heat. Stir in the thinly sliced kale ribbons and simmer gently for 4–6 minutes until the kale is tender but still bright green. Stir in most of the cooked chouriço (reserve some for garnish) and any reserved rendered oil for extra flavor. Adjust seasoning.