Kale, Turkey Sausage and Barley Stew

This stew will satisfy your hunger and nutrient needs in the cold winter months. Kale is a powerhouse of nutrition, delivering a bounty of vitamins and minerals; barley is full of cholesterol-lowering soluble fiber and adds great heartiness. If you want more heat, add a spicy sausage.

 

Kale, Turkey Sausage and Barley Stew

 

2 cups (16 fl. oz./500 ml) water

1 cup (7 oz./220 g) quick-cooking barley

Salt, to taste

2 Tbs. olive oil

1 lb. (500 g) turkey sausage links

1 yellow onion, chopped

4 garlic cloves, chopped

1 can (14.5 oz./455 g) diced tomatoes with juices

6 cups (48 fl. oz./1.5 l) low-sodium chicken broth

4 cups (4 oz./125 g) kale, stemmed and chopped

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

 

In a saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the water to a boil. Add the barley and a big pinch of salt, cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain and set aside.

 

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, warm 1 Tbs. of the olive oil. Add the sausage and brown on all sides, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

 

Add the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil, the onion and garlic to the saucepan and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Cut the sausage links into 1-inch (2.5-cm) slices and return them to the saucepan. Cook, stirring often, until the sausage is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices and the broth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the barley and the kale and cook just until the kale softens, about 5 minutes. Season the soup with salt and pepper, ladle into warmed bowls and serve immediately. Serves 4 to 6.

 

Find wholesome recipes for every day of the year in our cookbook Williams Sonoma Healthy Dish of the Day.