Sausage Minestrone Soup… Great for a cool winter’s night…

1 qt low sodium chicken broth

2 Cups water

2 Tbsp Tomato Paste

1  chopped onion..

2-6 cloves of chopped garlic depending on your taste..

1 cup carrots or parsnips chopped small..

1 can (14 oz) Cannellini beans..

1/2 cups chopped celery or Celeriac..

1  can 28 oz diced tomatoes..

1 Bay leaf..

1/2 tsp dried Thyme..

1/2 dried Basil..

1 LB Hot or mild sausage  cut up and casings removed or use bulk sausage..

2 Cups cut up Kale, Swiss Chard, or Spinach..

2 cups Cooked  Orecchiette, Orzo ,  Rice,  Quinoa, etc.. Pick one or combine two..

In a slow cooker combine chicken broth, water, tomato paste, onion, garlic, celery, cannellini beans, salt, tomatoes, Bay leaf, thyme, and basil.

In a nonstick skillet saute sausage breaking it into small pieces until browned, about 5 min. Drain on a paper towel lined paper plate. Then add to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high 4 hours. Stir in Kale, Swiss Chard, or Spinach, and whatever pasta rice, or Quinoa you have chosen..  makes about 12 cups…

You mat add whatever other spices you desire and or more  chopped vegetables. Summer squash, zucchini, pumpkin, other squash,  cut green beans, or a can of chic peas  to taste..  You may need more water or broth if you add more vegetables.. Also cook the pasta, rice, or Quinoa in a vegetable or chicken broth.. I make broth ahead and store it in the freezer until I need it…

Serve this with bread dipped in spiced Olive Oil, or your favorite crackers…