White Bean and Sausage Soup

Delicious Delicious Delicious!! If you are a fan of Northern White Beans, you will LOVE this recipe! It only takes an hour to make and is so worth every minute of it. I made this for New Year's Eve dinner and served it with some fresh baked corn bread. Did I say "YUM!"??? :)

White Bean and Sausage Soup
1 cup smoked turkey sausage, cut into small pieces (I use 4 Johnsonville Turkey Sausage links)
3 cans of northern white beans
2 cans of fat free chicken broth
1 cup water
1 tbsp olive oil
1 celery stalk, chopped fine
2 carrots, chopped fine
1/4 cup onion, chopped fine
1 tsp white pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp Thyme
Salt to taste
1 tbsp corn starch
water

Mash 1 can of the beans and set aside. Saute the celery, carrot and onion in olive oil in a medium sized pot until tender. Add the chopped turkey sausage and cook about a minute longer. Add the chicken broth and water and stir. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low for about an hour or longer (if you have the time). In a separate bowl, mix the corn starch with a little bit of water until smooth and creamy. Add to the soup and stir continually until it thickens. Simmer a little longer and then serve. Enjoy!!