crock pot bean and meatball-dumpling soup

Ingredients

• FOR THE SOUP
• 8 cups homemade or low-sodium canned chicken stock
• 1 pound pinto beans, dried
• 1 - onion, diced
• 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed of excess moisture
• 2 - bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon thyme, dried
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• - salt to taste
• FOR THE MEATBALLS
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound bulk italian sausage
• 1/4 cup bread crumbs
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 2 pinches thyme, dried
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 - egg
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes, or to taste
• GARNISH
• - olive oil, garnish
• - parmesan, garnish
• - red pepper flakes, garnish