Lunch: Caldo Verde with Beef Shank and Sausage

Recipe by Abraham Conlon This hearty soup from Chicago chef Abraham Conlon is great for a hungry crowd. It's a perfect one-pot meal featuring meat, vegetables, potatoes and beans in a richly flavored broth that's perked up with a hit of tangy sherry vine

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Kale

Health benefits of Caldo Verde with Beef Shank and Sausage

Kale is an excellent source of calcium, which has an important role in egg maturation and follicle development in the ovaries.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound meaty beef shank
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 medium Spanish onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 quart chicken stock or low-sodium broth
1/2 cup dried kidney beans, soaked overnight and drained
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound kale or collard greens, stems discarded and leaves chopped (1/2 pound)
1/2 pound linguiça or Spanish chorizo, sliced 1/4 inch thick
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar, plus more for serving

Instructions

In a large pot, heat the olive oil. Season the beef shank with salt and black pepper and add it to the pot. Cook over moderately high heat, turning, until browned all over, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Add the onion, bay leaf and a generous pinch each of salt and black pepper to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the stock, beans and 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Return the beef shank to the pot. Cover and cook over moderately low heat until the beef and beans are tender, about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Add the potatoes to the pot and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 30 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the beef shank to a plate. Add the kale to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 10 minutes. Pick out and discard the bay leaf.
Using 2 forks, shred the beef into bite-size pieces. Discard the bone and any gristle. Add the beef and sausage to the pot and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the 2 tablespoons of vinegar and season with salt and black pepper. Ladle into bowls and serve, passing more vinegar at the table.