Slow Cooker Sausage Rice And Beans

Method

1. For the sausage: Place all the above sausage ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix thoroughly until well blended. Make into small meatballs, about 1/2″. Refrigerate while veggies are cooking.
2. For the beans: In a large skillet, heat olive oil to medium-low, add onions, bell pepper and celery, sauté until tender, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté one additional minute. Add sautéed onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic and remaining ingredients to the slow cooker, stir to combine.
3. Add sausage meatballs and stir gently, cover and cook on low 6-8 hours. Recommend 4-6 quart slow cooker.
4. For the rice: Separately, cook brown rice according to the directions on package.
5. To serve: Remove the bay leaf and serve sausage meatballs and beans over a bed of brown rice