Slow Cooker White Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp olive oil ($0.32)
• 4 cloves garlic ($0.32)
• 1 yellow onion ($0.11)
• 4 carrots (about 1/2 lb.) ($0.30)
• 4 ribs celery ($0.46)
• 1 lb. dry navy beans* ($1.25)
• 1 bay leaf ($0.30)
• 1 tsp dried rosemary ($0.10)
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme ($0.05)
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika ($0.05)
• Freshly cracked black pepper (15-20 cranks of a pepper mill) ($0.05)
• 6 cups water ($0.00)
• 2 tsp salt, or to taste ($0.05)

Instructions

1. Mince the garlic, dice the onion, slice the celery, and peel and slice the carrots. Add the olive oil, garlic, onion, celery, and carrots to a large (5qt or larger) slow cooker.
2. Give the beans a quick rinse in a colander and then add them to the slow cooker, along with the bay leaf, rosemary, thyme, paprika, and some freshly cracked pepper.
3. Add six cups of water to the slow cooker and stir to combine the ingredients. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
4. After 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high, stir the soup and begin to mash the beans against the side of the slow cooker to thicken the soup. Once the soup is thickened to your liking, start adding salt to taste. Begin with 1/2 tsp and add more until the soup tastes flavorful to you. I used about 2 tsp total.
5. Serve the soup hot with crackers or crusty bread for dipping.