SLOW COOKER TOMATO AND TORTELLINI SOUP

By jbrockel

Ingredients

• 1 quart vegetable stock
• 2 28-ounce cans ground peeled tomatoes (we like Pastene or Cento)
• A few Parmesan cheese rinds, optional (will be removed after cooking)
• 1 large bay leaf (will be removed after cooking)
• 3/4 cup fresh basil roughly cut
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme (or 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 1/2 cups diced carrots
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
• 4 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons butter (to smooth out the acidity, but optional)
• 12-ounce package of frozen cheese-filled tortellini
• 8 ounces baby spinach or fresh spinach, stems removed and chopped (or frozen may be used if fresh is not available)

Details

Adapted from afamilyfeast.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a four quart slow cooker, place stock, tomatoes, cheese rinds, bay leaf, basil and thyme. Turn your slow cooker on, setting the timer on high for four hours or low for six hours, and cover the mixture (this will allow your slow cooker to start heating up).
While the slow cooker starts to heat up, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add celery, onions and carrots and cook for three to four minutes until almost soft. Add garlic, salt, pepper, paprika and pepper flakes and cook for one more minute. Add tomato paste and cook for about two minutes (being careful not to burn), then add wine to deglaze the skillet. Pour this mixture into slow cooker along with the other ingredients and stir to mix. Cover again and allow to cook for four to six hours.
After the cooking time is up, remove cheese rinds and bay leaf and discard. With an immersion blender puree mixture until very smooth. Add Romano cheese, cream and butter and stir with a spoon to combine. Taste and add more salt and pepper only if needed.
Turn the slow cooker to high (if it isn't already), then add frozen tortellini. Cook until they are fully cooked (approximately 10 minutes), then add spinach. Continue cooking just until spinach has wilted into the soup (only a minute or two). If soup is too thick, dilute with more cream or more vegetable stock.