Aimee’s Portuguese Soup: A Flavorful Remedy for Wellness
As winter settles in and our bodies crave warmth and comfort, this nourishing Portuguese Chourico & Kale Soup offers the perfect remedy. My dear friend Aimee shared this recipe with me, and it’s become a staple in my kitchen ever since. She describes it as “nutritious and nourishing at the same time,” which perfectly captures its essence.
In Chinese Medicine, pork is celebrated for its ability to nourish weakness, support qi and blood, moisten dryness, and nurture yin. It’s also an excellent source of selenium, a mineral that plays a key role in preventing complications such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, preterm labor, gestational diabetes, and intrauterine growth restriction. Additionally, pork contains Vitamin B6, a crucial vitamin for fertility, as it helps regulate hormonal balance and supports overall reproductive health.
For fertility, it’s especially beneficial to include more pork during the menstrual phase of your cycle, as it nourishes blood and supports the kidneys, spleen, and stomach—organs vital for healthy conception in Chinese Medicine.
To maximize the therapeutic benefits of the pork, it’s important to use specific methods of meat preparation that reduce toxicity. For this soup, cooking the pork in broth with ginger root is ideal, as ginger helps cleanse the body of acids and toxins from meat. Marjoram is another herb that aids the liver in digesting the fats in meat. Leafy greens, particularly kale, also support digestion and enhance the soup’s nourishing qualities.
Kale is one of the best leafy greens for fertility, packed with folate to help prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy. It also contains indole-3-carbinol, a phytonutrient shown to help balance estrogen levels. With its rich array of nutrients—iron, calcium, manganese, and Vitamin A—kale promotes healthy red blood cells, supports fertility, and aids conception.
For an even more nutrient-dense meal, I prefer using bone broth as the soup’s base. It enhances the overall richness and nutritional value. Feel free to try my bone broth recipe and learn more about its benefits for your health.
This Chourico & Kale Soup is the perfect combination of flavors, nourishment, and fertility support to keep you warm and well during the colder months.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp organic extra-virgin olive oil
3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
2 onions, finely chopped
4-6 garlic cloves, minced
1-2 pieces fresh ginger root, sliced
2 bay leaves
1 pound organic kale, chopped into coarse pieces
Sea salt & freshly cracked pepper, to taste
15 oz can of chickpeas (or any bean, such as Navy beans)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 pound diced chourico sausage, casing removed
1 quart organic bone broth
Warm, sprouted whole grain bread (for serving)
Directions:
Begin by peeling and dicing the potatoes, chopping the onions and garlic, and preparing the kale. Set these aside.
In a deep soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ginger, diced potatoes, and onions, sautéing for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions begin to soften.
Add the garlic, bay leaves, sea salt, pepper, and chopped kale to the pot. Cover and allow the greens to wilt for 2 minutes.
Stir in the chickpeas, diced tomatoes, chourico sausage, and bone broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are tender and the flavors meld together, about 20-25 minutes.
Serve the soup with warm, sprouted whole grain bread and a dollop of ghee for added richness.
Enjoy this hearty, nourishing soup that's perfect for cozying up on chilly days!
Aimee’s Tips
“This recipe is incredibly versatile—feel free to use whatever ingredients you have on hand, such as any variety of beans, potatoes, sausage, or leafy greens. For an extra kick, consider adding a bit of jalapeño!”
Aimee also loves to heat up leftovers for breakfast and tops them with a fried egg for a satisfying, protein-packed start to the day
Nourishment and Wellness in Every Bowl
As you savor this nourishing Portuguese Chourico & Kale Soup, remember that food is medicine, and every ingredient is chosen with intention to support your health and vitality. At The Violette House in Groton, we believe in the power of holistic wellness, combining the wisdom of Chinese medicine with nourishing meals like this one. Whether you’re looking to support fertility, boost your immune system, or simply enjoy a delicious, comforting bowl of soup, this recipe is a beautiful reminder of how deeply connected food and well-being truly are.