Sausage Broccoli Soup

An Italian soup made with sausage and
broccoli with white beans and a potato.

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/4 pounds Italian bulk sweet sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 large potato, peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 bay leaf
2 cans white beans, drained
Salt and pepper
4 cups chopped broccoli
2 quarts chicken stock
Grated Romano, to pass at table

Directions:
Heat medium soup pot over medium-high heat.
Add the olive oil and sausage and brown.
Add veggies, bay leaf and beans.
Season with salt and pepper.
Cook mixture 5 minutes to begin
to soften the vegetables.
Add stock and cover pot.
Raise heat and bring soup to a boil.
Reduce heat to simmer and cook 15 minutes.
Adjust seasonings and serve
soup with grated cheese, for topping.