Kale, Potato and Onion Soup

Photo: flickr user Leeks 'N' Bounds

Ingredients

5 cups water or vegetable stock

1 3/4 cups flavorful ale

1 lrg potato cubed, unpeeled

1 lrg onion peeled, diced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon minced garlic

8 ounces meatless soy sausage crumbled

1 bn kale - (abt 1 lb) finely julienned

1 1/2 cups canned lentils drained, rinsed

1/4 teaspoon crushed red peppers

Salt to taste

Freshly-ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

Bring water and ale to a boil in large stockpot over medium heat. Add potato cubes and onions.

Heat oil in skillet over medium heat and brown garlic. Reduce heat to medium-low, add crumbled sausage and saute about 7 minutes, or until browned. Or cook according to package directions.

Meanwhile, when potatoes are partially tender, add kale and lentils, stirring well. Season with crushed red pepper, salt and pepper.

When sausage is browned, stir into soup. Cook 5 minutes more and serve hot.

This recipe yields 4 servings.

Wine Suggestions: Successful food and drink pairings can be strengthened by incorporating the drinking beverage into the cooking process. In other words, drink what you cook with. Following the recipe, a flavorful ale is called for, so try the Mendocino Brewing Company Red Tail Ale.

Comments: Putting an American spin on the Portuguese soup Caldo Verde, this version calls for a dash of flavor-boosting crushed red peppers. The meatless sausage substitutes for the traditional Portuguese chourico sausage. For another level of flavor, start off with vegetable stock instead of water. The best accompaniments for this entree soup: hot onion or garlic bread and plenty of strong, black coffee. Stewed fruit sparked with cinnamon or a smooth flan would make a fitting conclusion.