Vegan Caldo Verde
* 1 large yellow onion diced
* 1 lb carrots sliced
* 6 cloves of garlic minced (but go with your heart as always for garlic)
* Cayenne pepper
* 2 tbsp Better Than Boullion veggie base (optional)
* 2-3 russet potatoes sliced
* 1-3 bunches of kale chopped depending on bunch size on how much of a kale fiend you are (lacinato is my preference)
* 1-2 cans of cannellini beans
In a large dutch oven (mine is 5.5 quarts) or pot heat 2-3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat and saute the onion and carrots for a few minutes. I sprinkle in some kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper too. Throw in the garlic and saute for another minute. I like to turn up the heat to medium high to get the fond/caramelization at the bottom of the vessel, just be careful that it doesn't burn.
Pour in 2.5 quarts of cold tap water and scrape off the fond at the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This may result in a satisfactory broth on its own for you, but you can add the veggie base if you want. Turn up the heat to high to get the broth to boil, then toss in the potatoes. Turn heat back down to medium to maintain boil.
When the potatoes are tender, go to town on them with a masher, then add the kale. When the kale is like 2/3 done I add the cannellini beans and keep cooking until the kale and beans are done.
I love this recipe bc it's easy to shop for, easy to make, filling (you can add leftover rice to make it even more filling), budget-friendly, and nutritious. You can freeze it too.
I'd love to show you how it's done and we can enjoy soup together lmao
White rice + broccoli + protein
Most of the time I'll use canned sardines or ground turkey or pork chops or chicken breast/thigh, but I've used tofu before.