Here is a simplified recipe for Olive Garden’s famous Zuppa Toscana:
Ingredients:
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- 1 lb Italian sausage (hot or mild, depending on your preference)
- 4 slices of bacon, chopped
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 large potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch thick slices or diced if preferred
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2-3 cups chopped kale (or spinach if you prefer)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional for additional heat)
- Parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Directions:
Cook the Sausage and Bacon:
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- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
- Add the sausage to the pot. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until browned. Remove excess fat if necessary, but leave a little for flavor.
Sauté the Vegetables:
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- Add the chopped onion to the pot with the sausage. Cook until the onions start to become translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Simmer the Base:
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- Pour in the chicken broth. Bring it to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer.
- Add the sliced potatoes to the pot. Cook until the potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
Combine Ingredients:
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- Once the potatoes are nearly cooked, return the cooked bacon to the pot.
- Stir in the heavy cream, simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Do not boil after adding the cream to avoid curdling.
Add Kale:
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- Add the chopped kale to the soup. Cook until the kale is wilted but still vibrant, about 3-5 minutes.
Season and Serve:
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- Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes:
If you like a thicker soup, you can mash some of the potatoes against the side of the pot to thicken the broth.
For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the sausage with a plant-based sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken.
This recipe captures the essence of Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana with its creamy texture, hearty ingredients, and a bit of spice.
Enjoy!
Montana is seeing a sweep of Republican leadership
For the first time since 1897, Montana is seeing a sweep of Republican leadership across the Senate, governorship and congressional seats.
The 2024 election cycle marked a historic change for our state.
Republican Tim Sheehy ousted the long-serving Democratic Senator Jon Tester, marking the first time in over a century that Montana has two Republican Senators simultaneously.
Montana’s congressional seats have been consistently held by Republicans since 1997, with no exceptions in recent elections.
Greg Gianforte, a Republican, has been elected as governor, continuing the trend of Republican dominance in statewide executive offices.
The Republican Party has achieved super-majorities in both the Montana House and Senate, indicating strong control over state policy-making.
This shift has been attributed to several factors:
An influx of residents from traditionally blue states has brought a more conservative voter base to Montana, often referred to as “political refugees” looking for lower taxes and less regulatory environments.
The influence of national figures like Donald Trump has played a role, with his popularity in Montana contributing to Republican victories.
The Montana GOP has been assertive in its political strategy, maintaining a unified front and focusing on issues resonating with the state’s electorate, like less government intervention, pro-business policies, and cultural conservatism.
The political landscape in Montana has thus moved decidedly towards the right, solidifying its status as a red state, especially evident in the complete sweep of Republican leadership across its federal and state offices in the 2024 elections.
State level:
While Republicans dominated statewide offices, Democrats did make some gains in the state legislature.
Democrats are likely to pick up two seats in the state Senate and several more in the House.
These gains are attributed to a newly drawn legislative map and extensive grassroots campaigning.
Despite these legislative gains, Republicans maintain a strong majority in both chambers of the state legislature.
This Republican sweep in Montana reflects a broader trend of political realignment in the American heartland over the past two decades, with the state transitioning from a “purple” state to one where the GOP now enjoys widespread support and control of government institutions.