Italian Sausage Soup

1 lb ground Italian sausage
1½ tsp crushed red peppers
1 large diced onion
4-5 strips of cooked bacon chopped in pieces
2 tsp garlic chopped fine
10 cups chicken stock
1-2 carrots, chopped
1-2 stalks celery, chopped
3-5 large potatoes, cubed
¼ of a bunch of kale (we use a full bunch of cilantro in place of Kale, but both are good, just make sure you chop into small pieces ...this can also be ommitted entirely)

Saute onions, celery and carrot, until onion is just turning translucent.  Add sausage, garlic and crushed red pepper and chop up as it is cooking (like you would hamburger for tacos) cook until browned.  Add bacon pieces, chicken stock, Kale (or cilantro) and potatoes.  Simmer until potatoes are tender.   Serves 4-6