Black Bean Soup with Sausage

Ingredients

• 31 oz black beans canned
• 0.5 cup cilantro leaves chopped
• 3 cloves garlic chopped
• 6 oz mild sausage links to package directions and coin italian hot
• 1 cup chicken broth low-sodium
• 2 teaspoons olive oil 
• 1  onion diced
• 16 oz salsa 
• 6 servings salt and pepper 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• slow cooker
• tongs
• cutting board

Directions

1. Warm oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Combine onion mixture, beans (with their liquid), salsa and chicken broth in a slow cooker. Stir well and cook on low for 5 hours.
4. Stir sausages into bean mixture in slow cooker and cook for 1 hour longer.
5. Using tongs, remove sausages to a cutting board, cut into bite-size pieces and then return to slow cooker. Stir in cilantro and season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve soup hot in bowls, with chopped avocado and a dollop of sour cream on top, if desired.