Zuppa Toscana Soup

Hi guys! I feel like so much has happened since our last visit, including a wonderful staycation that Jake and I got to have last weekend. My parents took the kids for a few days so we could get caught up on some things around the house that we haven’t had a chance to do since the girls were born, and also to have some time to rest and recharge. It was glorious. We did things that most parents of little people don’t get to do, like take a nap at 4:00 in the afternoon, stay out past 7pm, shop at the mall for more than 20 minutes, and go out for dinner to actual sit down restaurants three nights in a row. We also managed to clean out our entire storage room and transform it into a basement playroom for the kids. It was the perfect mix of productivity and relaxation. However, by Sunday morning we were more than ready to be reunited with our little loves. Our house was far too quiet without them!

Unfortunately, when they returned home their colds took a turn for the worse and after several visits to the doctor we found out that all three of them have double ear infections. Ugh! Thankfully we were able to get them on antibiotics before we leave for northern Wisconsin to visit Jake’s parents for Thanksgiving.

Jake and I haven’t been feeling our best either lately, and have been stuffed up with sore throats. Gosh, I hope this doesn’t last all winter! We were in the mood for a comfort food that was easy to swallow, so I recreated one of our favorite soups from Olive Garden. It was a cinch to make, and tastes exactly like the Zuppa Toscana they serve! I’m so excited to have discovered how to make it, since going out for endless soup and salad with three kids under three isn’t exactly in the cards for us these days.

If you want to bring a taste of Olive Garden home to your sweet family, give this a try! It would make for the perfect at-home date night!

Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup (Adapted from Food.com)

Ingredients: 

-1 lb. mild italian sausage

-4 cups chopped russet potatoes, skin on

-1 medium white onion, chopped

-1/4 cup bacon bits

-2 garlic cloves, minced (I buy a jar of minced garlic and used a teaspoon)

-4 cups kale, chopped

-2 (80z) cans chicken broth

-4 cups water

-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

-salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Brown the sausage in the soup pot. Drain. Add chicken broth and water to the pot and stir. Place onions, potatoes, and garlic in the pot. Cook on medium heat until potatoes are done. Add bacon and crushed red pepper. Salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Turn to low heat. Add kale. Heat through and serve. Makes 4 – 6 servings.

Enjoy! I hope your families are feeling better than we are this week! While we’re not on top of our game, there is still SO much to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving week, everybody!

What comfort foods do you make when your family’s under the weather? 

Love,

Amber

P.S. For more reflections on parenthood and life, follow us on Facebook (Hun Let’s Run) and on Instagram: @ambermariekuiper and @jakekuiper! We’d also love for you to subscribe to our Hun, Let’s Run Podcast! For more info about joining our fitness community as a customer or coach, please email us at amber@mommysmetime.com!