Crock Pot Creamy Tomato Soup

INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp

olive oil

1 cup

finely diced celery

1 cup

finely diced carrots

1 cup

finely diced onions

28 oz

can whole plum tomatoes, with juice

1 tsp

thyme

1/4 cup

fresh basil

3 1/2 cups

reduced sodium chicken broth (or vegetable for vegetarians)

Parmesan or Romano cheese rind (optional)

bay leaf

2 tbsp

unsalted butter

2 tbsp

flour

1/3 cup

grated Pecorino Romano cheese

1 3/4 cups

reduced fat (2%) milk, warmed

salt,

black pepper,