Southwestern Potato Sausage Chowder

In a large skillet cook sausage until no longer pink; drain off fat.

In a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker, combine cooked sausage, potatoes, onion, sweet peppers, serrano pepper (if using), garlic, cumin, and ground pepper. Stir in chicken broth.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours. Top each serving with cheese and/or Fried Potato Sticks, if you like. Makes 6 servings.