Going Stew Crazy!

It's the first week of October and the weather has turned from a nice and warm to the typical Rochester gray and rainy. This makes me seriously crave something stew-like or smothered in some sort of gravy. I've combined these two thoughts into a hearty stew that'll knock your socks off!

Hearty Sausage and Kale Stew

(I LOVE GREENS!!)

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. italian pork sausage (I used hot sausage)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large bunch kale, shredded (or roughly chopped, if you're lazy)
• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 1/2 cups beef broth (I used bone broth... chicken/beef broth will work too)
• 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp dried, rubbed sage
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (I ended up using a little more, as I like spicy foods)
• salt/pepper, to taste
• coconut oil

Method:

• Heat the coconut oil in a large pot, or dutch oven, over medium high heat.
• Crumble the italian sausage into the pot (If the sausage is in casings, slit them down the middle, peel away and discard). Add the peppers and onions. Cook until the sausage is browned and the onions/peppers are softened, about 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
• Add the coconut milk, broth and spices. Bring up to a boil. 
• Add the kale slowly, handful by handful, stirring them in so that they wilt down and make room for more.
• Put a lid on the pot and turn the heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the kale is tender.
• Taste and add more salt/pepper if necessary.
• Serve with rice, pasta, cauliflower rice, or on top of roasted root veggies (I used roasted beets and cauliflower).

The real inspiration for this recipe came from the combo of a 'Collard Greens and Chorizo' stew that I've made on several occasions and a 'Paleo Biscuits and Gravy' recipe (from http://robbwolf.com/2011/01/05/gluten-free-sausage-gravy-paleo-biscuits/). The resulting dish is phenomenal! The sausage and coconut milk add a rich fattiness and the kale is tender, yet oh so good! It's spicy and savory and awesome served over some roasted veggies or even some grits. 

In sum, if you enjoy sausage and greens, you'll LOVE this recipe!