Mom's Kale Soup

Vikki's Notes:  Some of these family recipes are hard to put together, because the instructions and measurements were rather vague (you'll see).  I was writing this down as my Mom made it and dictated it to me and I might have left out some important details, but over the years, I have perfected it and here is the recipe exactly so it comes out right.  Read everything before you make this.  

Important note about the dry noodle soup mix.  This is in the Jewish section of the supermarket.  It comes in a long package.  (I am posting a picture).  It used to be put out by "Goodmans," but most recently I couldn't find that, so I got "Manishchewitz" brand and it came out fine.  There are two packets inside --one has the vegetables and the other little packet has the noodles and some seasoning.  

• 1 lb. Portuguese Linguica (sliced)
• 1 large potato
• 2 cans red kidney beans
• 1 large onion
• 1 pkg. frozen kale (the 10 oz. one will do..you can add more if you want).
• 1 carrot
• 1 small can lima beans
• 1 pkg of dry vegetable soup mix (read notes above about this).
• 4 shakes ketchup (see what I mean about being vague!)
• 4-5 shakes of Worcestershire sauce 
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• Sprinkle Garlic Powder
• Salt & pepper

Cut up linguica into slices.
Chop onion.
Cover with water and bring to a boil (about 20 minutes).
Add contents of the vegetable soup packet (Important:  Do not add the separate packet with the noodles and seasonings).  Put that aside for later.  You just add the package with the dried vegetables at this point.
Cover and simmer 1/2 hour.
Add carrots, kidney beans, kale, lima beans, ketchup, worcesterhire sauce, sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper.  NOT THE POTATO YET.  Simmer 1/2 hour.
Then, add potato and the noodle packet and simmer another 45 min-1 hour.

More Notes:  What is tricky with this recipe is the dry peas inside the noodle mix.  After this is done, taste the dried vegetables to make sure they are not still hard.  If they are, you need to simmer awhile longer.