Comforting Broccoli Soup

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb kielbasa or 1 lb smoked ham, in small chunks (i like to use mr. sausage from the co-op's freezer section)
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can muir glen diced tomatoes, including juice
• 1 quart chicken broth
• salt
• pepper
• 1 bunch broccoli, stems peeled and chopped fine,florets chopped (about 1 1/4 lbs)
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• 1/4 cup chopped italian parsley
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 in a heavy soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the meat chunks.
• 2 sauté until lightly golden.
• 3 add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• 4 add the tomatoes and chicken broth, cover, and bring to a boil.
• 5 add the broccoli pieces and return to the boil, then lower to simmer and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes or until the broccoli stems are tender.
• 6 ladle the soup into warm bowls and add a big pinch of hot pepper flakes if you like.
• 7 sprinkle parsley and parmesan over each bowl and serve immediately.