Chorizo & White Bean Soup Will Make You Happy

Good Golly, Miss Molly! I haven't written anything in almost a year. I used to write quirky little stories about my daily thoughts as well as my single life, but for the last 9 months I have been consumed with getting fat and happy with my soon to be hubby. I am working on the not being fat part (I actually did exercises with my fire extinguisher to strengthen my core today since it is not nice enough to go outside and run). I visited my mom a few weeks ago and she said that he next time she saw me, she wanted to see less of me. On it, mom! I don't plan on changing the happy part, because I am pretty damn happy being happy. Speaking of happy, I am sharing a soup recipe which makes me very happy and it should make you very happy as well. It somewhat resembles chili. I usually find chorizo to be to rich when it is just accompanied by scrambled eggs which I feel obligated to eat when we visit the Mexican family of my other half, but all of the other ingredients really balance out the richness.

Smoked Chorizo & White Bean Soup

 Makes 4 servings:
 * 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
 * 3 garlic cloves, minced
 * 2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
 * 1 (14.5 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
 * 2 (14.5 oz) cans fire-roasted tomatoes
 * 1(10 oz) tube spanish chorizo
 * 2 cups chicken broth
 * pinch of saffron
 * 1 Tbs. smoked paprika
 * 2 cups baby spinach or 1 small bunch of kale, tough stems removed, washed well, and coarsely chopped  
 * coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

In a large sauce pan, heat a smidge of oil over medium-high. Add the chorizo and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, about 6 minutes. Add the onion and saute until softened, 4 minutes. Add the garlic and bloom for 30 seconds. paprika and season with salt and pepper. Toss around to incorporate the flavor. Add the tomatoes, the beans and the broth. Throw in that pinch of saffron. Let simmer about 15 minutes. Toss in the spinach and simmer 6 more minutes. Taste and see what you’re missing. Season accordingly.

Courtesy of  bevcooks.com