Monday, October 29, 2012

Slow Cooker Senate Bean Soup

Have you noticed how all the talk about the election has seemed to grind to a halt with Frankenstorm, aka Hurricane Sandy bearing down on the East Coast?

With the storm momentarily taking the focus off the upcoming election, I thought I'd post my version of the most famous recipe from my former work place, Senate Bean Soup.  No one really knows for certain how the recipe developed, but it is served daily on Capitol Hill.  It is the Soup du Jour, every day.

My version can be made with or without bacon, but I do prefer the smokiness of a little bacon, smoked turkey, smoked sausage or ham hock in this soup.  I also add greens, to up the healthfulness of the recipe.  

This easy soup cooks all day in your slow cooker, giving you a warm, filling, yet healthy meal to come home to after a long day!

Slow Cooker Senate Bean Soup

3 - 15 ounce cans Navy beans, drained -OR- 5 cups cooked Navy beans
2 celery ribs, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium russet potato, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups water
1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
1 teaspoon dried parsley
3 slices bacon, crumbled -OR- ½ cup diced smoked turkey or sausage (optional)
cooked greens (optional)

Place all ingredients in the slow cooker.  Close the lid.

Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, HIGH 4-5 hours.

Serve with bread and enjoy the hearty goodness!


Serves 6-8.

Life is sweet,
SPC

3 comments:

Vicki said...

I add chicken or veggie broth instead of water. Try it, you'll like it.

Gina; The Candid RD said...

I'm all about the slow-cooker lately! This sounds delicious. I think white beans are my FAVORITE type of bean.

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