Re-Doing Rachel Ray's Soup Recipe

I know that a lot of my readers and blogger friends despise Rachael Ray. I know she's quirky and annoys people, but that doesn't stop me from trying her recipes and it shouldn't stop you either. I like her and more importantly, this dish is delicious!

I added a potato and handful of Trader Joe's frozen sliced peppers (in addition to the cubanelles), a can of roman beans, Italian seasoning and some crushed red pepper, since I didn't use spicy sausage. I loved it and I can't wait to eat the leftovers for lunch!

Sausage, Pepper and Potato Soup

Serves 4

Ingredients:

3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds hot or sweet Italian sausage, cut into small pieces or smashed with a masher or spoon
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3-4 cubanelle peppers, seeded and thinly sliced
2 medium-large onions, thinly sliced
1 large potato, diced
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 cups chicken stock
2-15-ounce cans (or 1-28 ounce can) crushed or diced fire roasted tomatoes
1 can roman beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves
1/2 cup basil leaves, torn
1 tsp Italian seasoning
crushed red pepper to taste (if you use spicy sausage you don't need this)
1 cup Romano cheese

Directions:

Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a deep skillet, add sausage and brown a few minutes. Then add potato, garlic, peppers, onions and cook until soft, 6 to 7 minutes more.

De-glaze pan with vinegar and stir in stock, tomatoes, basil, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 10 -15 minutes and then add beans. Cook for another 5-10 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with grated cheese on top.

Serve with pasta, potatoes, rice or polenta.

My Italian Grandmother is a weekly column from Michele Brigante, an accomplished home cook who draws inspiration from her first cooking teacher–her Italian grandmother. Join her every week and she will walk you through a recipe you never thought you could manage. Some are original recipes, some are adapted from cookbooks–we can't wait to try them.

Michele is from Morris Plains, and when she's not whipping up delicious dishes, she works as a design consultant for Willow House.