Zatarain's Red Beans and Rice (and soup out of the leftovers!)

My family loves red beans and rice.  I've never made it from scratch with dried beans so I can't really compare this to the real thing.  I'm sure there is a purest out there somewhere that would just gasp at the thought of using packaged red beans and rice but I'm not one of them!  I really like the Zatarain's products and I get the low sodium variety whenever available.  I use one box with 1/2 a package of smoked sausage sliced up and we usually like ours with some sort of greens and garlic bread.

Now for the leftovers.........

If you only use 1/2 your sausage and save about 1/3 of your greens (we had kale this time) you can have a great soup the next night.  When I get my greens I get the Glory brand in the produce section.  They are already cleaned and chopped.  If you haven't tried kale, it's similar to collards but a little curly. 

Sausage and Kale soup

1/2 package of smoked sausage, sliced in bite sized half circles

1 1/2 c kale (collards or turnip greens would work too), sauteed with a little diced onion

1 can cannelinni beans

2 cans chicken broth

Saute your sausage till a little browned.  Add everything else plus about 1 c water.  Simmer for about 30 mins.