Kristi's Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana

1 lb ground pork sausage ( i use Jimmy Dean reduced fat)
1 1/2 tsp crushed pepper ( I use half that, my kids don't like it if it's too spicy)
1 lg. onion diced
6-8 pieces of bacon pieces * I love to use Turkey Bacon because it gives the flavor it needs but the texture doesn't get chewy/grissily when cooked with liquid.
2 tsp minced garlic
10 cups water
5 cubes of chicken bouillon
1 cup heavy cream (i mostly just use the 1% milk i have and add one more bouillon cube or use I'll use 1/2&1/2 both taste yummy just less fat.
3-5 large potatoes chopped in 1-2 inch cubes (i usually add more, because my husband loves them)
1/2-1 bunch of Kale torn up (I always do the whole bunch, it's my kid's favorite part!

1. Saute sausage in pot. Drain fat and set aside.
2. In same pan saute onions and garlic until onions or soft
3. Mix together the water and bouillon, then add the onions, garlic and cooked bacon pieces bring to a boil .
4. Add potatoes and cook until soft 15-20 min
5. Add Cream (or milk)
6. Stir in sausage
7. Add the kale 5min before serving (it cooks very quickly)
The soup will be thin (i sometimes add a little bit of a starch mixture to thicken it, not much)!!


Kristi's super easy bread sticks
1Tbsp. yeast dissolved in 1 1/2 cups of warm water
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
3 1/4 c. flour

Dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Add the sugar, salt, and flour. Mix until dough comes away from the bowl (Not sticky). On a well floured surface, knead the dough for 3 min. Let sit for 10 min. in a ball. Roll out to about 1/2 inch thick, cut into strips (i use a pizza cutter it works great). Melt some butter, and add a heaping scoop of garlic. Mix well and then spread over the dough. (I also sprinkle a little bit of garlic salt on top) Place on cookie sheet and raise for another 10 min. Bake at 375 for 13-18min or just before golden brown to stay soft! *It is also yummy to sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top before cooking!