Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      pound         dried cannellini or great northern beans
   6      cups          water
   2                    hot Italian sausages -- sliced
   1      large         onion -- chopped
   1      large         garlic clove -- minced
   2      large         tomatoes, peeled seeded and chopped
   1                    bay leaf -- crumbled
     1/2  teaspoon      thyme -- crumbled
     1/2  teaspoon      basil -- crumbled
   3      1" strips     orange rind
   1      teaspoon      salt
     1/4  teaspoon      pepper
   1      teaspoon      instant beef broth granules

Preparation:

Pick over bans and rinse. Cover beans with water in a large kettle; bring to boiling; cover; cook 2 minutes; remove from heat; let stand 1 hour. Pour into an electric slow cooker. 2. Brown sausages in a small skillet; push to one side; saute onion and garlic in same pan until soft; stir in tomato, bay leaf, thyme, basil, orange strips, salt and pepper and instant beef broth; bring to boiling; stir into beans; cover. 3. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 5 hours or until beans are tender.