Caldo Verde

This soup is a favorite and common soup in Portugal.  This recipe comes from Dona Lourdes.  She was my landlady in Aveiro.  An amazing woman!  Now, Portuguese women don't really have "recipes".  When I asked for this one, and several others, I was told a little of this, a little of that...and there you have it.

Originally, the recipe calls for Cove de Horto de Galega.  The closest thing in the U.S. is collard greens or Swiss chard.  It also calls for chouriҫo, however, I have been unable to find a Portuguese chouriҫo so I simply use the Hillshire Farms smoked sausage (yellow label).  Lastly, a varinha mágica is a hand blender.  If you do not have this, simply use a blender.  A hand mixer will not create the same outcome.

Enjoy!

4-5 russet potatoes (other kinds do not provide the proper flavor), peeled and chopped
1-2 bunches of collard greens, shredded and wash thoroughly (squeeze water out*)
Olive Oil
1 package of sausage
Sea Salt
Bay Leaf

Fill pan with water.  Add potatoes and a little olive oil.  Boil potatoes until very tender.  Using a varinha mágica, blend potatoes and water until smooth.  Add a little more water.  Add sausage and collard greens. Bring back to a boil. Add salt, more olive oil, if desired, and a bay leaf (2 if its a big pot).  Let simmer until greens are tender.  Serve warm with a hard bread-sourdough is a great option!

*Ensuring all the water is out of the greens ensures your soup will not turn green. 

Cream of Mushroom Chicken

I copied this recipe from my sister.  I did change the name though.  I didn't read the recipe before I added the sour cream and added the whole container, oops!  It didn't turn out too bad.  I do recommend cooking it for the 6 hours, though.  I cooked it for 3 and the chicken wasn't as tender as I like it to be. 

Cream of Mushroom Chicken
4-6 pieces of chicken
1/2 package of bacon
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream

Whisk soup and sour cream together.  Put half in the bottom of a crock pot; add chicken.  Pour remaining soup-sour cream mixture over chicken.  Cook bacon, chop and add to crock pot.  Add salt and pepper.  Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.  Enjoy!