Portuguese Caldo Verde (Printable Version)

A comforting blend of potatoes, kale, and smoky chorizo creating a smooth and savory dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1.3 pounds peeled and diced potatoes
02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 4 ounces kale, thinly sliced

→ Meats

05 - 5 ounces chorizo sausage, thinly sliced

→ Liquids

06 - 5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Seasonings

08 - Salt, to taste
09 - Black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; cook until translucent, about 4 minutes.
02 - Incorporate diced potatoes and chorizo slices. Stir occasionally and cook for 3 minutes to develop flavors.
03 - Pour in broth and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
04 - Lift chorizo out with a slotted spoon and set aside.
05 - Using an immersion blender or standard blender in batches, blend soup until smooth and creamy.
06 - Return chorizo to the pot. Add sliced kale and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until greens are tender.
07 - Stir in remaining tablespoon of olive oil, season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than takeout, yet tastes like someone's been tending the stove all afternoon.
  • The kale stays vivid and tender instead of turning into sad, bitter mush—there's a real trick to that timing.
  • One bowl somehow feels both light and deeply satisfying, the kind of meal that sticks with you without weighing you down.
02 -
  • Don't blend the kale into the soup; it turns bitter and loses that lovely texture, so always add it after you've pured the potatoes.
  • If your broth is salty, go easy on seasoning at the end—taste as you go because the chorizo adds more salt than you might expect.
03 -
  • Slice your kale as thin as you possibly can—this is the one step worth taking time on because it changes everything about the texture.
  • Let the onions and garlic go a little darker than you think is necessary; that caramelized sweetness is what makes people ask for seconds.
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