I wish I had a picture for you, but alas. I never think to take pictures, and my food pics often come out poorly anyway. But this is a super easy dinner, that turns out great every time. I don't do much measuring when I cook this way, so its definitely a rough guide. Check this post over at the Foster Family blog for more easy dinner recipe ideas!
Ingredients:
One can diced tomatoes (fresh would be fine too)
1-2 cans small white beans (or other, your choice. Dried can work too, I think, with added liquid and time?)
3-4 sausages (its really good with spicy ones, but any will work)
1 medium onion, diced
(optional) 1-2 cups chopped veggies of your choice -- carrots, celery, leafy greens?
One large box/can of chicken broth (or equivalent), plus water to stretch it if you'd like
crushed garlic, to taste (2-4 cloves?)
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
salt, to taste (I would check and add at the end - I rarely need any thanks to the salt in the sausage and broth)
one bay leaf
other herbs, fresh (chopped) or dried, to taste. I like tarragon, basil, parsley or rosemary...
Directions:
You can just toss everything in, turn on the slow cooker and it all will turn out well! I often use frozen sausage, thaw it just enough to slice, then brown it (with the onions and garlic) in a pan (or IN your crock on the stove if you have the Versaware one that I have!!!) before tossing it in. I have also tossed the sausages in whole and frozen, and pulled them out to cut at partway or all the way through cooking.
For cooking time, I usually do it on low for 4-6 hours, but my crock seems to run somewhat hot. If I am using frozen meat it needs to go longer -- then I often put it on high for 2 or so hours an then turn it to low after that. I am generally home all day to check on it, so I am not very aware of cook times! If you can experiment a few times before leaving it alone all day, that might help.
I like this served with lots of crusty bread and a salad, but its nice with pasta added as well! Yum!
