Kielbasa and Butter Bean Soup

A hearty soup for those cold days. Use either Polish Kielbasa or Smoked Sausage. Kielbasa gives a sweet taste to the soup while Smoked sausage gives a great background for the beans. It's delish either way.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2  stalks celery
• 1  large sweet onion
• 2  tablespoons butter or 2  tablespoons margarine
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1  teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1  lb Polish kielbasa or 1  lb smoked sausage
• 4 (16 ounce) cans butter beans
• 16  ounces water

Directions

1. Course chop onion and celery and saute in cook ing pot for 3 to 5 minutes in the butter. Add salt and pepper to taste and add paprika.
2. Slice kielbasa into 3/4 inch pieces and add to pot.
3. Add 3 cans of butter beans with canning liquid to pot. Open last can and puree in blender. Add puréed beans to pot. Add water.
4. Bring pot to low boil, cover and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for minimum 30 minutes to several hours (the longer the better).