Recipe(tried): Portuguese Kale Soup, Judy's recipe is the most ....

Judy's recipe is the most authentic. The exception being the vinegar. Then again, regional kale soups have their differences, depending on what part of Portugal they are from. Or from "the islands".
My former MIL was from one of the islands and her kale soup recipe, which I use and by which I judge all other caldo cerde, had no vinegar. Besides which she wouldn't spend the effort to soak dry kidney beans, etc. She simply used a good brand of kidney beens and rinsed them well before using.
The time is cut down considerably by using the canned variety. There really isn't much difference n the taste.