Pic of Caldo verde

Caldo verde

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Meat mains

Caldo verde

Main Serves 2 50 min
This is a classic, simple but tasty Portuguese soup. It's hearty enough to be a meal on its own and quick enough for midweek cooking. Spring greens, kale or dark green cabbage will all work; anything robust in the greens department. If your potato breaks up a little, all the better. Serve on its own or with bread for mopping up any extra sauce.

Ingredients

  • oil for frying, e.g. sunflower or light olive
  • 300g cooking chorizo, skins removed, meat roughly crumbled
  • 1 onion, finely sliced
  • 500g potatoes, peeled and diced into 2cm chunks
  • 1 garlic clove (or 2 if you really like it), finely chopped
  • 600ml chicken stock
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 200g spring greens, de-ribbed and shredded
  • salt and pepper

Method

Prep time: 10 min
Cooking time: 40 min

  • Step 1

    Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan. Add the chorizo and stir-fry on a medium heat (not too hot so it burns) for 4-5 minutes, to lightly crisp it and release its paprika juices. Transfer it to a plate.

  • Step 2

    Add the onion to the same pan with a splash more oil, reduce the heat to very low and fry, stirring now and then to stop it catching, for 10 minutes. Add a splash of water if it looks like it might catch at any stage.

  • Step 3

    After 10 minutes, add the potato, garlic and chorizo meat to the onion. Stir for 2 minutes. Add the stock, bay leaves, a little pepper and bring up to a low boil.

  • Step 4

    Cook for 5 minutes, then add the shredded spring greens and cook for about 8-10 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until the greens have wilted and the potatoes are tender.

  • Step 5

    Keep an eye on the liquid level and top up with a little more stock or water if needs be. Remove the bay leaves and check the seasoning to serve.