Ranch Style Stew

Every cook needs a fairly quick “can-opener” recipe or two, and this one from the   "Southern Living the Low Cost Cookbook" is man and kid-pleasing.  I keep pieces of green pepper and chopped onions in freezer bags, ready to use in this kind of recipe, open a few pints or cans of vegetables and beans, add it all to your browned hamburger, and you can whip up a few biscuits or a small pan of cornbread to go with this while it simmers.  Some cooks I know even keep browned hamburger in the freezer for an even quicker start.  If your family likes a spicier dish, add a drained can of green chilies instead of the green peppers.  If you don’t have the time or energy for biscuits or cornbread, crackers or slices of garlic bread might be a tasty choice.  Finish off with small dishes of canned fruit for dessert.

                             Ranch Style Stew

  1           Pound  Ground Beef

  1           Medium  Onion -- diced

  1           Each  Green Pepper -- diagonally sliced

  1 1/2    Cups  Canned Corn -- whole kernel

  1           Can  Kidney Beans, Canned -- 20 ounces

  1           Teaspoon  Salt

  2           Cups  Canned Tomatoes -- canned

  1           Teaspoon  Chili Powder

     1/2    Cup  Water

Brown the beef, onion and green peppers in 1 tablespoon shortening in large saucepan.  Add the corn, beans, salt, tomatoes, chili and powder and water and simmer for 20 minutes.

2011 Cost:  $4.26 or $1.07 per serving