Crock Pot White Bean Soup With Bacon - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups dried navy beans, picked over, soaked in water to cover overnight and drained
2 -3 slices bacon, cooked until the fat is rendered but not crispy
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 celery rib, minced
1 small carrot, minced
1 bouquet garni (1/2 tsp. dried oregano, 3 sprigs parsley, 1/2 fresh sage leaf and 1 bay leaf wrapped in cheesecloth)
6 cups chicken broth or 6 cups water
salt and pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)

Preparation

Combine the beans, bacon, onion, celery, carrot, bouquet garni and broth in slow cooker.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours.
Remove the bouquet garni.
Discard.
Puree about one-third of the soup in a food processor.
Season with salt and pepper.
Add cream if using, cover and continue to cook on LOW 15 minutes longer.