Friday, September 26, 2008

Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana (Tuscan Soup)


I received a delightful email from a friend the other day with an attached 478-page recipe book full of restaurant recipes - anything from A&W's Onion Rings to York Peppermint Patties and everything in-between. I quickly scrolled to the O section.

Olive Garden.

Zuppa Toscana.

Been dying to try it for well over a year now.

Finally, I put the obscure ingredients (not really - just the kale) on a grocery list and sent Armando for the goods.

It turned out DELICIOUS! I would highly recommend this recipe.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup onions, diced 1/8 inch
1 slice bacon, 1/4-inch diced
1 1/4 tsp garlic cloves, minced
1 ounce chicken boullion
1 quart water
2 medium potatoes, cut in half length-wise then cut in 1/4 inch slices (do not peel)
2 cups cavallo greens (kale can be substituted), cut in half, then sliced into 1/16-inch strips
1 1/2 cups sausage link - spicy, pre-cooked, cut in half-length-wise, then cut at an angle into 1/2-inch slices
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Place sausage link onto sheet pan and bak in 300 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until done.

Place onions and bacon into 3 to 4 quart sauce pan and cook onions over medium heat until onions are almost clear. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Add chicken bouillon, water and potatoes, bring to a simmer for 15 minutes. Add remaining ingredients then simmer for 5 more minutes and serve.

Recipe courtesy Insider's Recipes Master Edition.

**These are just some changes I made or would make to the recipe next time.
  • I substituted the sausage link (yuck) for ground sausage. This time I used regular. Armando claimed it lacked any kick. I now have a pound of frozen HOT ground sausage in the freezer waiting for the next time I try the recipe.
  • I used the kale. It worked perfect.
  • This recipe calls for heavy whipping cream. I don't think it needs it. Milk would suffice.
If you'd like a copy of this recipe book, just leave me a comment along with your email address and I'll send it to you.

11 comments:

ACSanchez said...

You know my email...I'd love the recipe book!

Jessica said...

Sounds delicious! We'll be trying this soon! Thanks!

Christian and Jennifer said...

Oh, yeah! Send it to me, please! This looks delicious!

A. Swensen said...

Please send me the email! I love good recipes!

Lilly said...

it sounded great til i got to the lactose part....dang it. i wish i could eat like you. happy cooking.

satomblablabla said...

umm... yes please!

Kristine said...

So, are you still sending out copies of all those recipes? I would love to have it if you are.

I found you via Lindy's blog.
My email address is: pnkjohn@yahoo.com

Thanks.

Ben said...

I'd love a copy of the recipes, thankyou! ~Jessica

Pamdamodem said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pamdamodem said...

Hi.. thanks so much for this recipe... and would love the recipe e-book thanks.. Pamdamodem

Ben said...

Yum! Send me the book! :)