BEAN TACO SOUP

1 lb. chopped chicken, roast beef or ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 (16 oz) can kidney beans, with liquid
1 (16 oz) can white beans, with liquid
1 (16 oz) can pinto beans, with liquid
1 (16 oz) can whole kernal corn, with liquid
1 can Ro-tel tomatoes with chilies and liquid
1 (16 oz) can stewed tomatoes, with liquid
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix

Saute ground beef & onion; drain. Add remaining ingredients, bring to boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Top with sour cream, tortilla chips and grated cheese. If using chopped and cooked chicken or roast beef, saute onions in a little oil and then add meat. Could be heated in a crockpot until well blended.

SWEET AND SOUR BEANS

1 lb. bacon (fried crisp and crumbled)
2 lg cans pork and beans (drained) (30 oz) (remove pork)
1 onion (chopped)
1/3 cup catsup
1 green pepper (chopped)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 can crushed pineapple w/juice (15 oz)

Mix altogether and bake at 325 degrees uncovered 1 1/2 to 2 hours. I put it in my crockpot on low until hot (about 5-6 hours). If desired you can saute the onion and pepper in bacon grease.

Easy Chili

This chili takes a while to simmer, but doesn't take a lot of hands on time. It's easy since you use canned beans. You could let it simmer in the crockpot for 4 or 5 hours instead, if you like. I got this recipe from a friend many years ago. I've made a few changes. Now it's one of my favorites.

1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 green pepper, sliced
1 habanero pepper, diced
2 cans tomatoes
2 Tbsp chili powder
3 Tbsp cold water
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
5 cans beans, drained
(I use 3 kidney and 1 each of pinto and white beans. I leave one of the cans of kidney beans undrained for extra liquid.)

Brown ground beef in Dutch oven. Add onions, celery, garlic, and peppers. Continue stirring and frying until onions are just translucent (about 10 minutes). Add tomatoes, chili powder (which has been mixed with the cold water), salt, sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer about 1 hour. Add beans. Heat through.