Sandra Lee-Slow Cooker Black Bean and Sausage Soup

This is wicked easy and very delicious. Great for winter evening dinners. We like it was a green salad and crusty bread to dip in the soup.

• Ready In: 10 hrs 10 mins
• Serves: 5

Ingredients

• 16  ounces dried black beans
•  beef  onion soup mix (like Lipton's)
• 5  cups water
• 1⁄2 lb smoked sausage, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup carrot, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup celery, chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 3  bay leaves
• 1  cup  canned crushed tomatoes
• 2  teaspoons  hot sauce

• Garnish

•  chopped green onion

Directions

1. Rinse and sort black beans.
2. In a large bowl, place beans and cover with water 2 inches above beans.
3. Let soak for 8 hours and then drain.
4. In a slow cooker, stir in all ingredients except tomatoes, hot sauce and green onions.
5. Let cook for 10 hours on low heat or until beans are tender.
6. Using a stick blender, partially puree mixture.
7. Add tomatoes, hot sauce and stir .
8. Pour in bowl and sprinkle with green onions.