Get Better Soon Soup

No joke, a friend came up with this recipe 15 years ago and we have made it 100+ times since then.

Spicy Lentil & Kale Soup

2 tablespoons butter, ghee, or extra virgin olive oil

2 shallots, sliced finely

1 tablespoon minced garlic or 4 fresh cloves, chopped

1 bunch lacinato/dinosaur kale, leaves torn off of the stem

2 cups lentils (I used the pre-packaged Trader Joes lentils)

2 cups chicken or vegetable broth + 2 cups water

1/2 jalapeno pepper, finely sliced

2 chicken sausages, cut up into bite-size pieces (I used Trader Joes garlic-chicken sausages)

3 tablespoons tomato paste

2 teaspoons basil (I used dried, but you can use fresh leaves)

1 tablespoon garlic salt

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cheese rind, optional (I used Pecorino)

Sea salt & black pepper, generously, to taste

1. In a large soup pan, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic, cooking for 5 minutes or so, til they begin to brown and the shallots nearly caramelize.

2. Add all the rest of the ingredients, except the salt and pepper. Stir everything all together. Place a lid on top of the soup pan and bring to a boil. Once the soup comes to a boil, reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.

3. Once the soup is done simmering, turn the heat off. Carefully taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve and enjoy.