A Taste Of "OLIVE GARDEN"!

I can only explain this soup as, "WOW"!  Everytime we would go to Olive Garden for the soup and salad, we would choose Zuppa Tuscana as our soup.  No matter how much the other soups looked good, we could NOT pick another.  I found this recipe on Gimme Some Oven.com.  It is soooo good and taste just like the one from Olive Garden.  I told you all in my last post, that I have been on a soup binge.  So here is another one to feast your eyes and tummy on.  I KNOW you WILL enjoy it!!!!!!!  Well, unless you are extremely picky:(  So sad for people who can't stand new things or things with veggies in it.  It might help if I was a little picky.  But I'M NOT!!!!!!!!  And I hope you are not too!  Enjoy, and also enjoy the fact that it's cheaper to fix it at home!!!!!  YAY!!!!!

Zuppa Tuscana-Olive Garden Version (Gimme Some Oven.com)
1 pound spicy Italian sausage1 tbsp. olive oil3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced1 medium onion, peeled and chopped1-2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, washed and sliced-1/4 inch thick4 c. chicken broth2 c. water6 pieces bacon-cooked and chopped2 c. chopped Kale or Swiss Chard1 c. heavy whipping cream or half-n-half (I used Fat-Free Half-n-Half)In a skillet over medium-heat, brown sausage.  In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp. olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.  Add garlic and onions, and cook 3 minutes.  Then add potatoes, chicken broth, water, sausage and bacon, and simmer over medium-heat for about 10 minutes.  Add kale and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes, or until the potatoes have softened.  Add cream or half-n-half to soup, then season with salt and pepper to taste.  Serve warm.  I made 4 batches so I would have alot of left overs, YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Happy Baking, EVERYONE!!!!!!!