Slow Cooker Navy Bean Soup With Kielbasa - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb dried navy beans
1 -2 teaspoon table salt, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 lb carrot, sliced into thin rounds
4 celery ribs, sliced
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
14 -16 ounces kielbasa, sliced 1/2-inch thick
6 cups water

Preparation

Sort through beans, removing any debris or stones. Rinse briefly and add beans to a 5-qt or larger slow cooker. Add 1 tsp salt.
Add all remaining ingredients to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
Mash 1/4 - 1/3 beans and vegetables (use a potato masher, food mill or blender - don't use an immersion blender, which will grind up the sausage with it) and stir in well. Taste and add additional salt by 1/4 tsp until it tastes good to you. Serve hot with crusty bread.