Crock Pot Minestrone Soup

Ingredients:
-1/2 onion, chopped
-1 c carrot, chopped
-1 celery stalk, chopped
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes
-1 (15oz) can white beans, drained and rinsed
-3 c broth
-dried or fresh basil to taste
-salt and pepper to taste
-2 c chopped fresh or frozen spinach*
-2 c cooked small pasta**
-parmesan cheese for top**

1.  Rinse and drain beans.  Puree beans with 1 cup of the broth in processor or blender.
2.  In a crock pot, combine broth, tomatoes, purred beans, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper.  Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
3.  40 minutes before serving, add spinach.  Cover and cook 30 more minutes.  Add cooked pasta and cook 10 minutes more.
4.  Ladle soup into bowls and top with paremsan cheese.


*If using frozen, be sure to defrost and wring out water before adding it in.
**Omit if observing Daniel Fast.