Spanish Style White Bean and Kale Soup

From Allrecipes.com

Makes 6 servings

3 andouille sausage links

8 1/2 c chicken stock

8 oz dry great Northern beans

1 bay leaf

1 pinch crushed saffron

2 Tb olive oil

1 onion

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

1 Tb sweet paprika

12 oz kale, stems removed and leaves coarsely chopped

1. Bring 2 cups of water to boil in a large skillet. Add sausages and cook over medium heat for 7 minutes each side. Remove from the pan, slice and set aside.

2. In a large pot, combine the chicken stock and dry beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Add the bay leaf and a pinch of salt. Simmer, partially covered, for 2 hours. Discard bay leaf. Remove 1/2 c of the stock to a small bowl. Stir in saffron, and set aside to soak. 

3. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage, and brown for about 5 minutes. Remove from the pan, and reduce the heat to low. Add the onions and cook for about 5 minutes, then stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. Mix in the red pepper and paprika. Cook for a few minutes before adding the mixture to the soup pot along with the sausage.

4. Bring the pot to a boil and stir in kale. Simmer for 10 minutes until the kale is tender. Serve.