Italian Sausage And Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 1 to 1 12 lb Italian sausage
• 1 onion chopped
• 12 c celery chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 c cabbage shredded
• 1 29 oz can Italian plum tomatoes
• 1 14 12 oz can chicken broth
• 1 15 oz can white cannellini or Great Northern beans drained
• 14 tsp each thyme basil and oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 c whole natural almonds toasted if desired

Directions

1. Cut sausage into 12-inch pieces brown in large heavy saucepan over medium heat
2. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat Stir in onions cook 5 to 8 minutes stirring occasionally until soft but not browned
3. Stir in garlic and celery cook until soft 5 to 8 minutes
4. Stir in cabbage tomatoes beans chicken broth thyme basil oregano and bay leaf
5. Cover and bring to a boil
6. Simmer 30 minutes
7. Discard bay leaf
8. Stir in almonds