Shrimp Creole Soup for Crock Pot

This is an easy, healthy, flavorful and spicy soup. It is an impressive first course for company if you use large or jumbo shrimp. Alternatively, you can use tiny shrimp and the cost will be much lower but the taste will be the same. It is a regular main dish for my family (using smaller shrimp) and for my annual 'soup party'. I found this recipe on southernfood.about.com and have improved upon it (in my opinion) since first posting by adding vinegar, red wine and Worcestershire sauce. These ingredients are noted as "optional'.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 10 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups  diced celery
• 1 1⁄4 cups  chopped onions
• 3⁄4 cup  chopped green bell pepper
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes
• 2 (14 1/2ounce) cans chicken broth
• 2 -3  garlic cloves
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 8 -16  drops Tabasco sauce
• 1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar (optional)
• 1⁄4 cup red wine (optional)
• 1  teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• 1  lb  frozen cooked shrimp, tails removed

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients except shrimp in crockpot. Cook 3 to 4 hours on HIGH or 8 to 10 hours on LOW.
2. Increase heat to HIGH and add cooked shrimp 15 minutes before serving.