Caldo Verde - Portuguese kale soup

This is an old time favourite soup and a classic in Portuguese cuisine. There are a variety of recipes for this soup, but I still prefer the original one, which is as simple as can be. Caldo verde actually means green broth!

INGREDIENTS:
6 potatoes
1 lb of kale or Chinese cabbage
2 quarts of cold water
4 tbsp olive oil
1 chourico
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Wash the potatoes, peel and cut them in thin slices
2. Wash the greens, roll them up tightly and slice them as thin as you can (thsi is very important)
3. In a little hot water first quickly scald the greens - this will make the greens keep their colour
   
4. Take 2 table spoons of olive oil and lightly sautee the potatoes in a large pot
5. Add the water and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the potatoes are breaking apart
6. Mash the potatoes or mix them thoroughly to create a nice minimally smooth cream
7. Let it simmer again for about 5 minutes then add the kale
8. In a small frying pan lightly sautee the sliced chourico. 
9. Just before serving, quickly mix in the leftover olive oil and the fat from the slices of chourico
10. When serving the soup in bowls decorate them with the slices of chourico