Hearty Bean Soup

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan or soup pot, and sautee sausage briefly to brown. Remove from pan, and sautee carrots, onions, and garlic for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Add the broth, Italian seasoning, pepper and beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes.
3. Using a blender wand, puree some of the soup. (If you’re using a regular blender, take out about two cups, puree, and return to pot.) It’s up to you how much to puree: Do you like your soup thick or thin?
4. Add sausage chunks back in, and simmer recombined soup for 5 more minutes.
5. Turn off heat. Add spinach and stir until spinach wilts in the hot soup.