This is a rich and full bodied soup that is perfect for a chilly fall afternoon.  An additional benefit is it’s made in a slow cooker and perfect for people who are busy but want to come home to a delicious meal.

Ingredients:
1 lb sweet chicken sausage (about 4 links)
2 cups Kale – chopped
1 cup fresh basil – chopped
1 cup fresh Italian parsley – chopped
3 garlic cloves – chopped
1 medium yellow onion – chopped
32 oz. lamb stock
15 oz. can chopped fire roasted tomatoes
6 oz. can tomato paste
Olive oil
Salt and pepper

Serving size: 4-6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 6 hours

Directions:
In a saute pan over medium heat, add a little olive oil and allow to heat for about 1 minute.  Add sausage links and cook for approximately 2-3 minutes per side.  You just want these to start to brown.  Remove sausages from pan.  Add chopped onion to same pan and cook for 2-3 minutes or until translucent (do not brown.)  Add chopped garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.  Remove from heat.

Cut sausages into 1/2 inch pieces and place in crock-pot.  Add onion and garlic mixture, fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, kale, parsley, basil and lamb stock.  Add salt and pepper to taste (just add a little because you can always add more later.)

Set crock-pot to low heat and cook for 6 hours.  Serve with toasted bread (I used Cibatta.)

Sweet Chicken Sausage and Kale Soup