Crock Pot Black Beans and Sausage

I'm using this for Sunday meals - Great way to go through beans, and sausage is an inexpensive meat. I can put everything in, and return after Church and laundry, and find wonderful meal waiting.

• Ready In: 6 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups dried black beans, soaked overnight
• 1  tablespoon  sunflower oil
• 1  large red onion, peeled and chopped
• 2 -4  garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 2  celery ribs, trimmed and chopped
• 1  teaspoon  minced  dried chili
• 1  teaspoon ground cumin or 1  teaspoon dried mustard
• 1  green bell peppers or 1  yellow bell peppers or 1  red pepper, seeded and chopped
• 8  spicy pork sausage links or 8  beef sausages
• 14 1⁄2 ounces chopped tomatoes
• 1  tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 1⁄4 cups beef broth or 1 1⁄4 cups chicken broth
• 2  fresh bay leaves
•  salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh thyme

Directions

1. Soak the black beans overnight in a generous amount of water.
2. Preheat the crock pot on high while prepping.
3. Drain beans, rinse, and place in a large pan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil, boil for 10 minutes, then drain and put them in crock pot.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet and saute the onion, garlic, celery with the chiles, cumin, and mustard powder for 3 minutes Add the bell pepper, stir, and put contents of skillet in the crock pot. Stir.
5. Add sausages to skillet, and cook until browned, (but don't overcook) then empty into crock pot.
6. Blend tomatoes, maple syrup, and broth. Cover and cook on high for 6 to 8 hours.
7. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, garnish with the chopped thyme.