![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcO2ft7DHQ2MJU4Rz0BwQu4AtH9PlJR6uXIobY1s7a6_MAy1uakGoKb6G5NbZI5CqF1fOSmDzgEtmvys9lPKhzUCTU0VvePWXtcZXaqAyiwvfnh_v1xFtnAWRXitL_1fX6beHL1pd4bX8/s320/monastery.jpg)
This fall, I've been adapting the recipes from Twelve Months of Monastery Soup to the slow cooker- it's been so nice to come in from a cold walk home from the train station to a pot of steaming soup. Paired with a green salad and bread rolls (and an omlette, if you are serving hearty eaters) this makes for a quick, nutritious, and economic meal- all pluses in my book. This endeavor has also boosted my confidence about cooking with dried beans/lentils.
Apartment Therapy has some really helpful ideas for improving slow cooker soups. I've been surprised to learn how little liquid I need- the perfect amount of liquid for 6 servings of soup in my 5.5 quart oval slow cooker is 7 cups. If soup isn't your style, check out their list of top ten slow cooker winter dinners.