Caldo Verde

This soup, literally 'Green Soup', could be called the national dish of Portugal. It is traditionally made with a type of flat green cabbage called couve gallego. The method of slicing leaves like this is called a chiffonade in the French lexicon. Important to get them thin enough that they will cook quickly.

Courses: Soup
Serves: 6 people

Recipe Ingredients

1 lb	454g / 16oz	Kale, Swiss chard, collard or turnip green - washed, spun dry, thick stems removed
6 oz	170g	Portuguese Chouriho sausage - sliced 1/2" thick
		(or substitute Spanish Chorizo)
2 tablespoons	30ml	Olive oil
1 tablespoon	15ml	Sweet onion - minced (large)
2 teaspoons	10ml	Salt
1/2 teaspoon	2.5ml	Freshly-ground black pepper
2 teaspoons	10ml	Garlic cloves - minced or pureed (large)
4 teaspoons	20ml	Baking potatoes - peeled, sliced thin (large)
2		Cold water

Recipe Instructions

Take whatever greens you are using and stack several leaves on top of each other. Starting at the wide side, roll the stack up into a tight cylinder. Slice across the cylinder with a very sharp knife to make thin, hairlike shreds. Repeat with remaining leaves. Set aside shredded greens.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large kettle over medium-high heat. Add sausage slices and fry until lightly colored and fat is rendered, about 10 minutes. Remove from pot with slotted spoon and reserve. Add remaining tablespoon oil to pot, then add onions and salt and pepper. Stir well, then cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened, 5 minutes. Add the garlic, stir, and cook one minute until its aroma is released. Add the potatoes, turn the heat to medium-high, and saute 3 to 5 minutes until onions and potatoes begin to color. Add the water, cover, and simmer over low heat until potatoes can be mashed easily against side of pot with a wooden spoon, about 25 minutes.

When potatoes are soft, turn off the heat and use a potato masher to thoroughly crush and blend. Add the sausage, turn the heat on to medium, and simmer 5 minutes to bring the flavors together. Stir in the greens and cook 5 minutes until bright green and tender. Taste, adjust seasoning, and serve.

This recipe yields 6 servings.

Source:
TOO HOT TAMALES with Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken - From the TV FOOD NETWORK - (Show # TH-6344 broadcast 12-31-1996) - Downloaded from their Web-Site - http://www.foodtv.com

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