Olive Garden Copy Cat of Zuppa Toscana

I saw this soup in an ad, and wished I could have some. Then I googled the name and found the copycat (link below) at restaurant.food.com. This is my version.  It was a really fun change of pace!

the photo is from the wonderful lady at the below link that recreated the recipe I altered. :0)

1 lb GF Italian sausage (I like mild sausage) 
2 large russet baking potatoes, sliced in half, and then in 1/4 inch slices
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 cup bacon bit (optional, but I think it made it)
2 garlic cloves, minced (I used a lot more)
2 cups kale or 2 cups swiss chard, chopped
2 (8 ounce) cans chicken broth
1 quart water
1 can coconut milk
A palmful (1 TBS or so) smoked paprika (my addition)
Directions:

1
Chop or slice uncooked sausage into small pieces.
2
Brown sausage in your soup pot.
3
Add chicken broth and water to pot and stir.
4
Place onions, potatoes, and garlic in pot.
5
Cook on medium heat until potatoes are done.
6
Add sausage and bacon.
7
Salt and pepper to taste.
8
Simmer for another 10 minutes.
9
Turn to low heat.
10
Add kale and cream.
11
Heat through and serve.

Read more at: http://restaurant.food.com/recipe/olive-garden-copycat-zuppa-toscana-38298?oc=linkback

I served this with crumbled ruffles with ridges on top, as well as the crumbled bacon.