Zuppa Tuscana knockoff

Once upon a time I was making a soup that was supposed to resemble corn chowder, but I was out of a couple of the key ingredients, so I substituted with other things that I did have and voila! a delicious soup resembling Olive Garden's Zuppa Tuscana was created.  Here are the specifics for all of you who have been wondering.  (I apologize for the lack of exactness.  As this was an accident to begin with I have never really written it down and still tend to just eyeball it.  But don't worry.  You'll do great as I know that almost everyone that will be reading this will be more advanced in the culinary arts than me.  Enjoy!)

Zuppa Tuscana

6-8 Potatoes (maybe more maybe less depending on their size)
1 pkg spinach
2-3 T. butter
16 oz. package sausage
12 oz. can evaporated milk
salt 
pepper
italian spices
Nature's seasoning

Peel and slice potatoes in thin slices like you would for scalloped potatoes.  There should be enough to fill your pan about halfway.  Fill the pan with enough water to cover the potatoes plus just a little bit more and set to boiling.  In separate pan combine a couple tablespoons of butter and the bag of spinach.  Saute the spinach in the butter and as it wilts chop it into little pieces with your spatula.  Cook your sausage like you would hamburger (don't drain, the grease in the soup broth is delicious although slightly less waist friendly-it's just better if you don't think about it).  Add your cooked spinach, sausage, and evaporated milk to the potatoes once they are fully cooked (do not drain potatoes) and stir.  Once the evapporated milk has been added DON'T bring to a boil again.  This can be disastrous.  Now here is where the guess work comes in.  Add some salt, pepper, italian seasoning or nature's seasoning (if you have some) or whatever else you like to season with or sounds good to you.  I just keep adding until it tastes good and I can see an even mixture of little seasoning particles floating happily in my broth.

Anyway, that is it.  Enjoy and substitute or add to anything you want because "When you are here, You're family".   
 

2 comments:

Anderson Family said...

Thank you, thank you! Lindsay, I love this soup. However, it has been a long time since I have had it. I take it the spinach is fresh, not frozen, and the sausage is ground sausage, not sliced like a polish kabalsa? Let me know, so I can duplicate it the best I can. Thanks for posting the recipe.
I love the cute pictures of Alex. She already looks chubbier and older!
Love, Erica

mare said...

i have to say, despite lance's cynicism, i was pleased with the last line of your post, and i think you should be proud of it. what do depressed people know anyway?
i do appreciate the recipe, but i'm not gonna lie, it sounds a little hard for my taste, so i won't pretend i'm going to make it because i'm not. we did make that chinese casserole of yours the other night and it was delicious.