Slow-Cook Tuscan Sausage and Bean Soup

This is a recipe from one of my favorite blogs, Recipe Girl. I have been following her even before she had a blog. She has a great site full of wonderful recipes.

We eat a lot of soup in the winter. I am always on the prowl for great, healthy soup recipes. This one appealed to be because it looked healthy, easy and yummy. It really lived up to my expectations. This recipe originally came from a Weight Watchers cookbook, the points for a serving of this soup will be listed at the bottom.

I did not make this in my slow cooker. My day got away from me, as it is so prone to do. So, I threw it together on the stove top about an hour before we ate. I served it with the Whole Wheat Baguette that I still had on hand. The meal was hearty and perfect for a cold winter's night. You will want to make it too! It was delicious. The whole family loved it!

Slow-Cook Tuscan Sausage and Bean Soup

• One (12-ounce) link of turkey kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1 large carrot, peeled and roughly chopped

• 1 large stalk celery, chopped

• 1/2 medium bunch kale, stems removed, & leaves chopped (about 4 cups)

• 3 cups fat-free low-sodium chicken broth

• One (15.5-ounce) can red kidney beans, rinsed & drained

• One (15.5-ounce) can great Northern beans, rinsed & drained

• One (14.5-ounce) can Italian seasoned diced tomatoes

• 1/2 cup dry red wine (or water)

• 1 tsp. dried basil

• shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients except Parmesan. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low until the vegetables are tender, 8-10 hours.

Yield: 6 servings (1 1/2 cups per serving)

Nutritional Information (without Parmesan): calories 241, fat 5g (sat 5g & trans fat 0g), cholesterol 37mg, sodium 1,258mg, carbohydrates 31g, fiber 8g, protein 19g, calcium 158mg

WW POINTS: Points Plus: 6 Old Points System: 4

Tips:
*If you are preparing this recipe as Dairy Free, skip the addition of Parmesan cheese.
*If you are preparing this recipe as Gluten-Free, make sure you add in sausage that is free of gluten.

Source: Adapted slightly from Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook