Tuscan Garlicky Bean Soup

 Want to try an easy Crock Pot dinner? One that will make your house smell so good? One that costs less than $4.00 to make, total? One that makes you feel like you're eating something super-healthy? Then you might want to try this recipe- Tuscan Garlicky Bean Soup.

Tuscan Garlicky Bean Soup- serves 8-10
1 lb. dry Great Northern, or other dry white, beans
1 qt. water
1 qt. beef broth
3 Tbs. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 Tbs. chopped parsley
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Plan ahead, because you need to put the dry beans in a bowl, cover them with water and let them sit for 8 hours or overnight.

 Drain and rinse well. Yes, my colander is ancient. It belonged to Bruce's grandmother. But it functions, ok?

 Combine beans, 1 quart fresh water,and beef broth in a slow cooker. My CP is circa 1983. Still going strong. Come to think of it, that measuring cup is circa 1983 also. Still measures just fine. Do not mock me about the age of my appliances.

 1983, close up. Sidenote: Don't you just love those CP liners? Whoever invented those should get a Nobel Prize or a very nice raise, at least.

 Action shot: Beef broth goin' in. I think I will give my new camera special name: Awesome New Camera Stratford.

 So now we have a murky looking liquid in the CP, with a few wimpy floating beans. Believe me, it gets better.

 Now you saute the garlic and parsley in the olive oil in a skillet. If you've never smelled what this smells like before, you will want to saute garlic and parsley every day, just to smell that smell.

 Stir the garlic and parsley into the CP. Add the salt and pepper. Now you have murky liquid, a few wimpy beans and some floating greenery- looking good, right?

Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours, or until beans are tender. Yum. Bruce had several helpings. BTW, this recipe is from the Lazy Day Cookin' cookbook that I know several of my blood relatives already own. Because I was there when they bought it. Enjoy!