Ever since Michael and I decided to go all organic with our meat, I have been doing a lot more veggies and beans in order to keep our budget in check. Organic meat is very expensive but I am a firm believer that if you want something bad enough, you will figure out a way to make it work. In this case, the best way to make it work for us was to start finding alternatives for protein that were cheap a couple times a week. Beans, Eggs, and Fish (which I don’t mind being non-organic) really have helped me to stretch a buck while keeping our food healthy and affordable.
This recipe has got to be one of the best cheap, easy and healthy meals I have come up with yet. It’s full of healthy, colorful veggies, protein and fiber packed beans, tasty, and basically cooks itself with or without you even being around to check on it.
Hope you enjoy!! Leave me a comment if you try it and let me know what you thought!!
Into your crockpot, simply add:
- one large can of crushed tomatoes
- one box of organic chicken stock
- one can, drained and rinsed black beans
- one can, drained and rinsed light red kidney beans
Then chop and add in any root veggies that you have in your fridge that you would like to use up or anything veggies that look good at the market that day. I used:
- onion
- celery
- carrots
- red pepper
- green pepper
Once those are all in the crockpot, season with:
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- garlic salt
- red pepper flake
- oregano
- chili powder
- unsweetened coco powder (this sounds odd but it will deepen the flavor and make for the best tomato base you’ve ever tasted! I used about 2 tbsps)
And that’s it! just turn on high and let it slowly become delicious as you go about your normal day and dinner will be ready when you are. I topped mine with a little leftover mozzarella but you could also use plain greek yogurt, sour cream, or just crackers.
