Friday Food Fun-Zuppa Toscana Soup - like Olive Garden's®

Zuppa Toscana Soup - like Olive Garden's®

1 lb. spicy Italian sausage - crumbled
1/2 lb. smoked bacon - chopped
1 qt. water
(2) 14.5 oz. cans (about 3 2/3 cups) chicken broth
2 lg. russet potatoes - scrubbed clean, cubed
2 garlic cloves - peeled, crushed
1 med. onion - peeled, chopped
2 cups chopped kale OR Swiss chard (or spinach)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper - to taste

-In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown sausage, breaking into small pieces as you fry it; drain, set aside.
-In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown bacon; drain, set aside.
-Place water, broth, potatoes, garlic, and onion in a pot; simmer over medium heat until potatoes are tender.
-Add sausage and bacon to pot; simmer for 10 minutes.
-Add kale and cream to pot; season with salt and pepper; heat through.

Notes: I am currently on a low-carb diet (South Beach) and I have substituted cauliflower in place of the potatoes and you can't even tell the difference- NO REALLY
AND I used turkey bacon
AND I used a lower fat sausage
AND I used less of the whipping cream, or sometimes I use half and half.
In place of broth you could use chicken bullion (3tbl with 3 ¾ water)

I know it sounds like a lot of substitutes, but it still tates like the Olive Garden's soup!