Sausage Soup with Spinach & Wild Rice

This recipe comes from my mom – who recently had it laying out when I stopped by for a visit.  I copied it down and decided with winter still clearly here, that it would make a hearty dinner. 

We love wild rice, but were not sure how it would combine with the Italian style of this soup – but, it was great. 

A nice change from our normal array of soups. 

Sausage Soup with Spinach & Wild Rice – from Mom

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 C water
• 1/2 C uncooked wild rice
• 1 lb. turkey Italian sausage (we used links)
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1 T onion
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 3 C water
• 3 T tomato paste
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1 tsp. basil
• 3 cans chicken broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 3 C spinach, torn
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 3 T parmesan cheese

Directions

Cook wild rice in 1 1/2 C water according to package directions. 

Brown sausage, drain.  Quarter (if using links) and set aside.

Meanwhile, sauté onion and garlic.  Add sausage and 3 C water.  Add in seasoning, tomato paste chicken broth and diced tomatoes. 

Boil, then reduce to the soup to a simmer.  Simmer for 20 minutes. 

Stir in wild rice, spinach and season with salt and pepper. 

Top with cheese. 

Enjoy!