Slice casings of sausage meat and crumble into a skillet. Add olive oil and saute over medium high heat until outside of sausage begins to brown. Add onion and saute until translucent. Add garlic near end. Sausage meat does not need to cook, only brown slightly. Do not allow garlic to brown.
Deglaze pan with chicken stock, and transfer contents of pan to Crockpot.
Add remaining ingredients except for tomatoes to Crockpot.
Set Crockpot to high setting and cook for 2 hours, then cook an additional 3-5 hours on low setting or until beans are tender.
Check occasionally to see if more liquid is required as beans expand during cooking. Add tomatoes during final hour of cooking.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Can be served over pasta or rice.
Note: When in season, fresh herbs may be substituted for dried for enhanced flavor.
Submitted by: CM
