Slow Cooker Smoky White Bean Summer Squash Soup With Optional Andouille Sausage Recipes

SLOW COOKER SMOKY WHITE BEAN & SUMMER SQUASH SOUP WITH OPTIONAL ANDOUILLE SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Add the beans, tomatoes, squash, potato, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, a quick grind or two of black pepper (or a hefty pinch), water, and the Parmesan rind to the Crock Pot. Stir.
• Cook on low for 8 - 10 hours.
• Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
• Remove the Andouille sausage from the casing and brown in a medium saucepan. Using a spoon, remove grease from the pan.
• Add a little less than half of the soup - about 3 1/2 cups - to the saucepan with the sausage. Stir and, over medium heat, bring to a low boil. Simmer for 20 minutes.
• Tear basil leaves over both batches and stir.
• Serve with additional basil leaves and shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired.

WHITE BEAN SOUP WITH ANDOUILLE AND COLLARDS

Steps:

• In a 4 to 6 quart slow cooker, combine the beans, sausage, onion, celery, and thyme. Add the broth and stir to combine.
• Cover and cook until the beans are tender, on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.
• Twenty minutes before serving, discard the thyme stems, add the collard greens, cover, and cook until the greens are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. (If you are using frozen, you'll have to cook longer). Add the vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
• Drizzle with the olive oil and serve with bread sticks.

SUMMER SQUASH AND SAUSAGE STEW

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat; cook sausage slices until they begin to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add onion, reduce heat to medium, and cook until onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, and jalapeno pepper; stir to combine.
• Bring mixture to a simmer; gently stir squash and potatoes into mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low. Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
• Simmer stew, uncovered, until potatoes and squash are tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Stir in Italian parsley. Adjust levels of salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if needed. Serve in bowls; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.