White Bean Stew with Sausage

During the Holiday Season, our lives get a little more hectic and it gets a little harder to have a hot healthy meal ready for your family. Enter the handy crock-pot! As the weather turns colder, there is something comforting about coming home to a warm house with the smell of dinner floating through the air...and there's nothing you need to do but SERVE IT UP! Here is a delicious recipe that will warm your soul and your family will love it.

White Bean Stew with Sausage

1 lb (2 cups) dried small white beans
1 onion, finely chopped
2-3 carrots, sliced
2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp each sea salt and black pepper
6 cups chicken stock
1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes
1 package Applegate Organic Chicken and Apple Sausage, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
4 packed cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped

Add beans, onion, garlic, and spices to the slow cooker.  Add chicken stock and diced tomatoes, with juice, and sausage.

Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the beans are tender.  Add spinach and cook for additional 30 minutes.


Tips:
-If you will be home while cooking this meal, add the meat after 5-6 hours.  If you will be gone all day you can add the sausage at the beginning.
-Cook time will probably be close to 10 hours. Check beans at 6-7 hours and if are still very under cooked, turn to high for while.

Enjoy!!

1 lb. (2 cups) dried small white beans
1 onion, chopped into fairly small pieces
1 T finely minced garlic
1 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
6 cups homemade chicken stock or canned chicken broth
1 can (14.5 oz.) petite dice tomatoes
14 oz. Kielbasa sausage, cut into half-moon slices (use low-fat turkey Kielbasa for South Beach Diet)
4 packed cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional) - See more at: http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2012/02/recipe-for-slow-cooker-kielbasa-and.html#sthash.E4AijRDo.dpuf

1 lb. (2 cups) dried small white beans
1 onion, chopped into fairly small pieces
1 T finely minced garlic
1 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed
1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
6 cups homemade chicken stock or canned chicken broth
1 can (14.5 oz.) petite dice tomatoes
14 oz. Kielbasa sausage, cut into half-moon slices (use low-fat turkey Kielbasa for South Beach Diet)
4 packed cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional) - See more at: http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2012/02/recipe-for-slow-cooker-kielbasa-and.html#sthash.E4AijRDo.dpuf