Dragon's Breath Chili

Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef or ground turkey
1 large onion, diced
3 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes, divided
3 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp seasoned pepper
2 4oz cans mushroom pieces
1 28oz can baked beans
2 15oz cans kidney beans with liquid
2 6oz cans tomato paste
1/8 cup sugar
3 carrots, sliced
3 stalks celery, sliced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2-3 jalapeno peppers, diced
1/4 cup beer
hto sauce (to taste)
1/3 cup barbeque sauce

In a large skillet over medium heat, brown meat together with onion, 1 tbsp red pepper flakes, garlic, and seasoned pepper.
Drain off fat, and place mixture into slow cooker.

Stir in mushrooms, baked beans, kidney beans with liquid, tomato paste, sugar, carrots, celery, peppers, beer, and barbeque sauce.
Season with hot sauce and remainder of red pepper flakes.

Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.

Chunky Beef Vegetable Stew

Ingredients
3 cups V8 vegetable juice (or other brand)
2 cups hot water
1 lb beef, cubed
8 cups frozen mixed vegetables
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 onion, chopped
1/4 cup ketchup
3 tbsp beef bouillon
1/2 tsp pepper

Pour vegetable juice and water into slow cooker.
Add beef, vegetables, ketchup, bouillon, and pepper. Stir gently.
Cook on low heat for 8-9 hours or high heat for 4-5 hours.
Serve with crusty bread such as italian, ciabatta, or french baguette.

Slow-Cooker Minestrone

Ingredients
1 lb boneless beef chuck, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 14.5oz cans diced tomatoes (with basil, garlic, and oregano)
2 14oz cans beef broth
1 15oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 15oz can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 cup dried bowtie pasta
1 medium yellow summer squash, halved lengthwise and sliced

In crockpot, combine beef, undrained tomatoes, broth, cannellini beans, kidney beans, carrots, salt, and pepper.
Cover and cook on low heat for 8-9 hours or on high heat for 4-4 1/2 hours.
Add pasta and squash.
Cover and cook 30-45 minutes more or until pasta is tender.