Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup

About a year ago I discovered this delicious soup at Olive Garden and since have not been able to order anything else there. I tried this recipe this weekend and loved it. It's pretty close (although no one can beat the combination of this soup with Olive Garden's addictive breadsticks!)

Makes: 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1½ tsp crushed red peppers
1 large diced white onion
4 Tbsp bacon pieces
2 tsp garlic puree
10 cups water
5 cubes of chicken bouillon
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb sliced Russet potatoes, or about 3 large potatoes
¼ of a bunch of kale

First, sautee Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in pot. Drain excess fat, refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients. In the same pan, sautee bacon, onions and garlic for approxiamtly 15 mins. or until the onions are soft. Mix together the chicken bouillon and water, then add it to the onions, bacon and garlic. Cook until boiling. Add potatoes and cook until soft, about half an hour. Add heavy cream and cook until thoughouly heated. Stir in the sausage.
Add kale just before serving.