This recipe is from Andrew Schloss's Art of the Slow Cooker.Mr. Schloss instructs, "The cornmeal thickens the soup and adds an appealing grainy texture. If you don't have cornmeal, substitute 1 tablespoon flour; it will thicken just as well. Or you can throw in a handful of crumbled corn chips once you add the broth. If you do use the corn chips, don't wait for the broth to thicken in the skillet. Just add everything to the slow cooker and the chips will thicken the soup as it cooks."