Sausage Potato Soup

The delicious and vibrant taste and wonderful healing properties of parsley are often ignored in its role as a table garnish. 

Highly nutritious, parsley can be found year round in the grocery store. Parsley is the world’s most popular herb.

Parsley is native to the Mediterranean region of Southern Europe. While it has been cultivated for more than 2,000 years, parsley was used medicinally prior to being consumed as a food. The ancient Greeks held parsley to be sacred, using it to not only adorn victors of athletic contests, but also for decorating the tombs of the deceased. The practice of using parsley as a garnish actually has a long history that can be traced back to the civilization of the ancient Romans.

While it is unknown when parsley began to be consumed as a seasoning, it seems to be sometime in the middle ages in Europe. Some historians credit Charlemagne with its popularization since he had it grown on his estates.

In some countries, the curly leaf variety is more popular. This may have its roots in the ancient preference for this type since people were oftentimes reticent to consume the flat leaf variety because it resembled fool's parsley, a poisonous weed.

Turnip rooted or Hamburg parsley, a fairly new species, only been developed within the past two hundred years, and recently begun gaining popularity.

Research Source: WH Foods

 

After a long day at work, you’re tired and don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. You can have this soup on the dinner table in 30 minutes. And the cleanup takes no time at all.

Sausage Potato Soup

Copyrighted 2014, Christine’s Pantry. All rights reserved.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound beef smoked sausage, diced

4 medium potatoes, cubed

1 cup chopped green beans

4 cups chicken broth

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 (10.75 oz.) can cream of potato soup

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

parsley for garnish

Directions:

In a large pot, brown sausage, drain, and set aside. In the same pot, add potatoes, chicken broth, and seasonings. Bring to boil.

Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Add cream of potato soup, stir. Add green beans, sausage and cheese. Stir over low heat until cheese melted. Enjoy!