Slow-cooked Beef Minestrone

1. Dust beef with flour pat off excess.

2. Heat oil in large braising pan over medium-high heat until oil faintly smokes. Add beef sear 10 minutes or until all sides are paper-bag brown.

3. Transfer beef to slow cooker dont discard pan drippings. Add vegetables to skillet with beef drippings season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, 3 minutes add to slow cooker.

4. Add stock, tomatoes, sauce, basil, oregano, and salt pepper to taste to slow cooker. Cover, cook 4 1/2-6 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low.

5. Add dry pasta and beans 10 minutes before end of cooking on high (45 minutes before end of cooking on low.)

6. Add spinach to slow cooker stir to blend well. Allow spinach to lightly wilt, about 2 minutes.

This recipe yields about 14 cups.