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Potato soups seem to generally come in two varieties.  You can either have a triple bypass or a quadruple bypass/heart transplant combo deal.  And a side of lifelong statin therapy.

You know, for what you’ll eventually have to go through if you eat them on a regular basis.

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Thanks, but no thanks.

I have a half marathon (donate to fight cancer!) to run in just a week and a half and I’d prefer not to collapse in the middle of Times Square or somewhere along the dregs of the West Side Highway due to cardiac failure.  No matter how appealing eating a bowl of soup made up entirely of carbs sounds at the moment.

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I was working on accepting the fact that my potato soup dream was never quite going to happen. (At least not in a non-artery clogging kinda way.)  And then, when I least expected it, into my life fell this potato-kale soup from Cooking Light. And it was like all of my carb-filled dreams came true in one fell swoop.

Between the gruyere topping (swoon) and the kinda-caramelized onion base, it tastes almost like a good French onion but with all the heartiness that potato has to offer.  And it’s filled with a truckload of kale. Which, in my kitchen…is always a good thing.

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One year ago…Seared Bean Sprouts with Tempeh and Sesame-Orange Sauce, Snickerdoodle Biscoff Sandwich Cookies
Three years ago…Sausage and Eggplant Polenta

Potato-Kale Soup with Gruyere
Serves 6, adapted from Cooking Light October 2002

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 7 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 lb Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1/4 tsp salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 6 cups chopped fresh kale (about 3/4 lb)
  • 1 tsp tuscan seasoning
  • 9 tbsp (about 2 oz) shredded Gruyere cheese

Instructions

  1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 8 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
  2. Stir in the broth, potato, salt and bay leaf. Bring to a boil and then cover, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until the potato is tender.
  3. Stir in the kale and dried herbs. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until kale is tender. Discard the bay leaf. Partially mash the potatoes with a potato masher until thick and chunky. Season with salt to taste.
  4. Top each bowl with the cheese before serving.

I am submitting this to Deb over at Kahakai Kitchen for Souper Sundays!
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Now. Can we also talk about juice?  It’s kind of a point of contention between The.Boy and I because he can’t live without it and I pretty much refuse to drink my calories in a sugar-filled way (because I’d always rather have ice cream. Duh.).

Needless to say, we were both pretty psyched when we heard about Ocean Spray’s new line of Diet Juice drinks. They come in a ton of flavors (cranberry, cranberry with lime, cranberry-grape, cranberry-lemonade, cranberry-pomegranate, cranberry-cherry, blueberry, blueberry-pomegranate) and even in sparkling varieties!  Each serving provides 100% of the vitamin C you need for the day for a fraction of the calories of regular juice. So if you’re a juice fiend or just like a drink with flavor as an alternative to water every once in a while, these are great options.

While The.Boy was perfectly happy to drink his juice plain with dinner, I decided to try mine in a smoothie.  I blended the diet cranberry juice with frozen cherries, black cherry greek yogurt, and banana which resulted in a nutrient-dense, protein-rich and absolutely delicious smoothie! It was the perfect healthy after-dinner treat and definitely helped to curb my ice cream cravings.

Mixed Berry Smoothie
Serves 1-2, adapted from Ocean Spray 

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup Ocean Spray light cranberry juice
  • 3/4 cup frozen mixed berries (I used frozen cherries)
  • 1 (6 oz) container berry yogurt (I used nonfat black cherry greek yogurt)
  • 1/2 banana, sliced

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse until well-blended. Drink up! 

I have partnered with Ocean Spray through DailyBuzz to help promote their new Ocean Spray Diet product. I have been compensated for my time commitment to work with this product, however my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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71 Responses to Potato and Kale Soup with Gruyere and a Mixed Berry Smoothie

  1. I’m always down for potato soup, but this one is different! It actually looks HEALTHY! Whaaaat?! So awesome. Great recipe!

  2. Lynn says:

    I have a truckload of kale at home! I’m so making this. 🙂

  3. I shall look out for the juices here. Delicious soup 🙂

  4. Patsy K says:

    I’m all over that smoothie! I don’t like drinking my calories either, so a juice has to be worth it!

  5. Barbara says:

    Good recipe find on the kale soup, Joanne. And the smoothie looks delicious. Love that you added fresh cheeries. Nice combo!

  6. Karis says:

    I love everything about this soup and am hoping the healthiness of it will convince my carb-phobic husband that it’s ok to eat potatoes.

  7. Lovely! Yes, it is hard to find a potato soup that isn’t loaded with cream, butter, and cheese, but this sounds fabulous — a perfect and healthy balance. Good luck with the run and the last leg of training for it. You’re amazing! Oh and that smoothie? Looks so wonderfully light and refreshing.

  8. What a comfort soup! It’s cold and rainy in Boston today – I would LOVE this for my lunch!
    And I also am not a big juice drinker at all, but I do love smoothies! Love the bright, pretty color of this one 🙂

  9. Gloria says:

    ah Joanne love your plate especially all of these yummy cheese, Im crazy by cheese and I have to control me I know:)
    ANd this smoothie look yummy, I will make in a minutes more because I have some bananas I have to use:)

  10. As a person who suffers from boring lunches on many days, I really appreciate this post! This looks really tasty, and seems like a great healthy (ok not so with potato inclusion, but its a teamed with a smoothie!!) way to change up my lunch routine, thanks for sharing!

  11. Big Dude says:

    Love the soup Joanne – I definately need to eat more of this variety.

  12. Amy says:

    You had me at Gruyere! And also, I’d very much like one of those smoothies. Stat.

  13. Audra says:

    Oh I wish I was in town to cheer you on for the NYC half!! (I mean I’ll be in Paris so it’s Ok:) )

    Onto the soup- I agree, potato soups are usually way too heavy for me. This looks like a perfect balance- love it.

  14. Any soup loaded with that much kale is A-OK in my book Joanne – it looks awesome!

  15. We got and entire inch of snow here last night, so obviously soup is in order. This sounds so so good! I love kale with potatoes but I’ve never made a soup of it. Also – cranberry juice in a smoothie = genius!

  16. YUM! I make my potato soup with half cauliflower to lighten the carb load too, and I love kale in soup!

  17. Pam says:

    Loving that soup! Bookmarked.

    The smoothie looks mighty tasty too.

  18. bellini says:

    Cooking Light comes to the rescue again. Comforting for these in-between days.

  19. Mari says:

    Yums that smoothie looks so refreshing and perfect for after a workout!

  20. Sarah says:

    oooh, a health potato soup! love it. 🙂

  21. Lora says:

    The soup looks so healthy and I love that smoothie.

  22. Eep, have not read your blog in too, too long, lady, and forgot how great all your recipes are. The caramelised onions in this soup sounds amahzing. All the best for your marathon! Also, jealous of how many Ocean Spray varieties you can get, pretty sure we only have like, five, in New Zealand.

  23. I have to admit, I feel the same way about juice. I’m actually not a fan of many soups (just plain broth or puree) for the same reason, but I love the chunky, satisfying texture of this soup–it really looks like a ‘meal’ that you can chew!

  24. Jessie says:

    I’m Jessie, RD and I approve this potato soup! 😉 Potato and kale go so well together, and this soup looks delicious! Especially with the gruyere, mmm 🙂

    I have smoothies every morning for breakfast, so I’m totally on board with that. Have a great rest of your week, Joanne!

  25. Mary Younkin says:

    The soup and the smoothie both look delicious! I’m with you on the juice. It’s rarely worth the calories to me either!

  26. Mmmm..truckloads of kale + gruyere – that’s my kinda dish!

  27. Guru Uru says:

    I need this seriously, maybe as a dinner combo”?

    Cheers
    CCU

  28. I absolutely love this lighter take on potato soup Joanne!! And Gruyere is seriously my favorite cheese so that’s just the icing on the cake 🙂

  29. Eileen says:

    Aw, no collapsing! You will do great. 🙂 I love the idea of adding kale to potato soup–it’s almost like colcannon in soup form. Yay! And that is one PINK smoothie.

  30. Julia Menn says:

    Ooh, glad to see this potato/kale recipe. I bought a bunch of kale to juice but so far haven’t liked the recipes I’ve tried with it. I may try out this soup! And that smoothie looks delicious. But the bottom of my blender busted, so my smoothie creations will have to wait until I replace it. wah wah.

    All the best w/ the run!

  31. i’ve made a better baked potato soup before, but i am loving this version as well–bring on the kale!!

  32. sandra says:

    I also eschew juices ever since my doctor told me the best way to loose weight was to not drink juice. I had been drinking it hand over fist thinking it was healthy, but once I stopped I noticed the change.

    Your soup looks fabulous. I have some potatoes just waiting to be used in such a fashion! And kale, too!

  33. sandra says:

    I’ve never heard of Tuscan seasoning. It is described on one site as containing: SPICES (INCLUDING BLACK PEPPER, MARJORAM, ROSEMARY, THYME, BASIL, AND RED PEPPER), ONION, GARLIC, SUN DRIED TOMATO, RED BELL PEPPER, SUNFLOWER OIL, AND SALT.

    I suppose I can make something resembling it myself?

  34. This soup sounds incredible! Just what I need on a rainy day like today.

  35. Beth says:

    The soup looks amazing. Healthy potato soup – what could be better? Well, a smoothie would be close.

  36. OohLookBel says:

    That is one fantastic soup. Love that it’s got potatoes but no cream. Win!

  37. Hotly Spiced says:

    I had no idea potato soup was so bad for you. I love how this is loaded with kale. And your smoothie is such a pretty colour. How many marathons do you run a year? xx

  38. Mary says:

    I love two-fers. These both sound delicious and a healthy potato soup is always welcome at my table. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  39. I like that soup a lot. I usually do kale with white beans, but I like the sound of it with potato (and, of course, gruyere).

  40. This potato soup is way more up my alley than the standard creamy one. I much prefer broth-based soups and this one looks so yummy!!!

    Diet Oceanspray has been around for years, at least the cranberry varieties, because I’ve been drinking it for a long time! The other flavors might be new. Love the idea of incorporating it in a smoothie though 🙂

  41. Natalie G says:

    Scrumptious looking soup! Lots of kale and only two potatoes, sounds great to me! Your smoothie looks really good too, I try to make a new smoothie almost everyday so thanks for sharing!

  42. For the sake of all of our hearts I think this soup is a MUST! Good luck in your 1/2 marathon lady! Wish I could run it with you. I need to get my butt to a race in the near future! It’s been too long.

  43. Blond Duck says:

    I want to slurp up the smoothie!

  44. Annie Patz says:

    Ahhhh yes these recipes are perfect for my “cleanse” thanks Joanne!

  45. That Girl says:

    I like the idea of a french onion soup type base!

  46. Kari says:

    I don’t like juice but I do like smoothies. It’s one of those odd paradoxes. Juice in a smoothie I think I could do, so this looks great!

  47. Perfect dinner! Hot soup and a cold smoothie 🙂

    Sues

  48. marie says:

    How you managed to make a bowl of soup look so mouth watering is beyond me. Soup is one of the hardest foods to photograph, my hats off to you. Also, caramelized onions, yes, yes, yes!

  49. Jenn Kendall says:

    everything looks delicious Joanne!

  50. P says:

    This soup looks so delicious. I love how you combined both kale and potato in it!

  51. Gorgeous soup. You just fulfilled a recipe I was looking for. I’ve been wanting to make a kale soup and my standby is a kale chorizo sausage soup, but I wanted a vegetarian version. I was having a hard time figuring out how to get the flavor imparted, but the “caramelized” onions is a brilliant idea…and well the cheese too of course.

  52. You continue to amaze me with your commitment to running! This soup sounds like great winter fuel!

  53. Pam says:

    You had me at Gruyere! It looks and sounds like a great soup!

    I can imagine how excited you are about the marathon as my DIL and 45,000 other runners just signed up for the Chicago Marathon in October. Good luck with yours!!!

  54. teresa says:

    i’m so with you on this! my husband is always begging for potato chowder and i just can’t bring myself to do this. i can’t wait to make this though!

  55. tigerfish says:

    I made kale, potato, and “grain meat” (vegetarian sausages) soup during the winter months and has been enjoying it. I would love to have some cheese on it next time.

  56. This does sound like a winning soup recipe. Who needs cream, when you can have ice cream instead 🙂

  57. I dream of soup too, love your soup photos and wish I could eat it

  58. I don’t cook with kale often enough. This sounds like a delicious way to eat more of it.

  59. Reeni Pisano says:

    I love potato soup in all its many forms whether it be fattening or good for you loaded with kale and gruyere like this one! Plus that smoothie. I’m craving one something bad.

  60. Joyti says:

    I do a potato and kale soup with caramelized onion and a little cream…pureed. More fattening than yours (but not too bad as far as cream and potato soups go) I think yours looks excellent, nice and light and restorative. Yum!

  61. Christine says:

    Joanne, this soup is brilliant! Love kale soup and the idea partially mashed potatoes to thicken it. I’m adding this to my recipe collection. I googled tuscan seasoning and there are so many versions. Some store bought and some homemade, what kind do you use? Like the idea of topping this with gruyere!

  62. It’s true. Potato soups are always so rich and heavy. This one looks delightful with all that kale! The gruyere on top is a nice touch too.

  63. Absolutely delicious, Joanne. 🙂 I love potato soup too, but try to make it much healthier with heaps of veggies like this. I’ve been tucking kale into everything I can these days. And I love it. 🙂

  64. Nicole, RD says:

    Grueye on soup? Genius. Potato + kale soup…yes, please!

  65. Johanna GGG says:

    I am used to the potato soups that I make myself which aren’t calorific – well not in the dairy filled way I think you mean – the poor old potato gets a bad rap because it goes so well with oil and cream and cheese but there is a who world of potato beyond this that is so yummy – like your soup – must bookmark for when it is cool enough again for me to face soup

  66. Dining Alone says:

    I can remember my Mom making a potato lasagna that I can still feel coagulating in my mouth and getting stuck halfway down my esophagus. This looks like a MUCH better way to enjoy potatoes 🙂

  67. Chris says:

    Are you saying the triple roux, cream cheese enhanced, potato soup with 8 cans of cream of xxx soup in it is bad for me? ;0

  68. Candace says:

    I’ll take your soup over the other soups any day. Gruyere makes this soup that much better. Yum!

  69. You know me and my love for potatoes–this looks perfect, especially with all that lovely Gruyere on top! 😉 Thanks for sharing with Souper Sundays.

  70. Best potato soup ever! It’s like 80+ degrees in LA but I’d gladly dive in a bowlful of this!

  71. Karen says:

    I would love that soup! The smoothie looks so appetizing… will have to look for the juices.

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