Slow Cooker (Or Instant Pot) Low Carb Tuscan Style Soup

One serving of a delicious and flavorful
Tuscan inspired soup.

Ingredients:
1 pound mild Italian sausage (I used Jones Farm)
1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cloves of garlic, minced
4 1/2 - 5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 small stalks or 1 large stalk celery, finely chopped
1/2 a head of cauliflower, broken or chopped into small florets, or 2 - 3 cups radishes**
3 cups chopped kale
1 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt, or sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
1/2 cup heavy cream

Slow Cooker Method:
Lightly grease the inside of a slow cooker with an olive oil cooking spray.
Brown and crumble the sausage, in a large skillet over medium heat, until fully cooked.
Drain the grease from the sausage. Discard the grease and place the sausage in the slow cooker. Place the oil in the skillet. Add the onions and garlic and saute for 3 to 4 minutes, until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant. Add the onions, garlic, broth, cauliflower, kale, and spices to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.

Cook on high for 3 1/2 to 4 hours, or on low for 7 1/2 to 8 hours. Stir in the heavy cream.
Serves 8 to 10.

Instant Pot Method:

Add all of the sauteed ingredients, broth, cauliflower, kale and spices to the instant pot.  Add a 1/2 cup of water to the pot and stir all of the ingredients. Seal the pot and set to manual/high pressure for 45 minutes. After the timer sounds, release the pressure, using the quick release. After the steam and pressure are released, remove the lid and stir in the cream.   

Nutritional info per serving (1/8 of pot with vegetable broth): 
220.95 calories ~ 17.1 grams fat ~ 5.47  grams net carbs ~ 12.7 grams protein

Nutritional info per serving (1/8 of pot with chicken broth): 
221.9 calories ~ 17.16 grams fat ~ 5.42 net carbs ~ 13.26 grams protein

Notes: 
The nutritional info equals approximate totals.

**If  you prefer, 2 to 3 cups of quartered radishes can be substituted for the cauliflower. (They are an excellent substitute for potatoes.)

I like the Olive Garden's  Zuppa Toscana, but it is full of potatoes! Not only is this version low carb, but it also has a fantastic flavor that tastes better than the restaurant version.