$8 or Less Recipe - Cowboy Soup with variations

1 lb ground beef
1 onion chopped
2 green chilis minced (or small call green chilis)
4 cloves garlic minced
2 Tblsp flour
1 can tomato soup
2 Tblsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
2 c beef stock
1-1/2 c frozen corn
1/2 c long grain white rice
1 c cubed American cheese (optional)
1 small can black beans (optional)

STOVETOP
in stock pot, cook beef onion, chilis and garlic over medium heat, until browned
add flour and stir about 3 more minutes
add soup, spices and beef stock, bring to a boil
cover and simmer 5 minutes
stir in frozen corn, bring back to a simmer
stir in rice and beans if using, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is tender
Stir in cheese if using until melted, then serve....or serve cheese as garnish

CROCK POT
brown first ingredients as in stove top version OR if you've browned your ground beef ahead of time and then froze it...
place all ingredients EXCEPT rice in 6 qt crock pot and stir well
cover and cook on low 8-10 hours
turn up to high and stir in rice
cover and cook 20 -30 minutes or until rice is tender
stir in cheese and serve or use cheese as a garnish

total cost around $6.50, less if you buy ingredients on sale and/or with coupons!

Until Next Time.....
Franny