Souper Sunday Italian Style

The tradition of Souper Sunday just isn't the same when the day is not spent watching football. With only the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl left, we decided we needed to get in another yummy pot of soup! Brett decided yesterday that he wanted to make "the Olive Garden's soup". Coincidentally, my mom gave me a delicious recipe for Zuppa Tuscano not too long ago. This may be one of our best soups yet!!!!!

Zuppa Tuscano

6 large potatoes, sliced (not peeled) and quartered

2 lg. red onions, diced

2 T. olive oil

4 T. minced garlic

2 lbs. loose Italian sausage

Roux: 10 T. flour, 10 T. butter, 2 t. salt, 1 T. pepper

2 c. white cooking wine
6 c. chicken broth
2c. half and half
4 t. cumin
4 t. basil
6 oz. baby spinach, washed and torn (can use frozen)

• Boil potatoes until half way cooked. Drain and set aside.
• Saute onion and garlic in olive oil. Set aside.
• Brown and drain sausage. Set aside
• Make roux by heating butter until melted. Slowly stir in flour, salt and pepper using whisk until smooth.
• Add wine, chicken broth, and half and half. Stir constantly with wire whisk until bubbly and thickened slightly (not lumpy).
• Add onion, garlic, cumin, basil, sausage, potatoes, and spinach to liquid. Stir well. Cover and simmer gently for 1 1/2 hours.

Enjoy!!!!