ITALIAN BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse dry beans.
• In a Dutch oven combine rinsed beans and 5 cups cold water.
• Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
• Simmer for 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• Cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse beans.
• In a slow cooker combine beans, 4 cups water, onion, tomatoes, bouillon, garlic, the 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, and pepper.
• Cook, covered, on high or 5-6 hours until beans are tender.
• Thaw green beans and stir into soup.
• Cook about 30 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, stir together margarine,garlic powder, Parmesan, and 1/8 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
• Spread on 1 side of each bread slice.
• Broil 4 to 5 inches from oven broiler for.
• 45 to 60 seconds or until crisp and light brown.
• Watch carefully.
• To serve, ladle soup into bowls.
• Float 2 pieces of herb toast atop each bowl of soup.
• Serve immediately with extra Parmesan.
• You can also add chopped ham, Italian sausage that you brown first, or leftover beef roast.