Caldo Verde

a goodly amount of broth
4 or so russet potatoes
one bunch kale
crushed red pepper
salt to taste
heavy cream or sour cream
1 lb spicy Italian sausage if you like

Broth: you can either use chicken or we sometimes make garlic broth by peeling and boiling a whole head of garlic in water. Peel and chop potatoes. Wash and strip kale from stems and chop it up. Add to broth. (If you're not making garlic broth, throw in some garlic, too.) Add red pepper. Cook til potatoes are done. If adding sausage, fry up separately and then add to soup. When serving, put sour cream on the table and each diner adds to his own bowl.

-or-

Combine the broth and 1 c. heavy cream. Add chopped potatoes and kale and red pepper (and garlic). Add sausage. Simmer about an hour.