Cowboy Stew

During our trip out to Colorado, mom and I made Cowboy Stew- quite possibly one of my favorite dishes from my childhood. It's sweet and chunky. Filling and oh. so. tasty. Love love LOVE it. This can be made in a crockpot, or in huge cast iron skillets like the one pictured. This is fabulous with some thick crusty bread.

Cowboy Stew

• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can butter beans
• 1 large can Pork and Beans (we used plain Baked Beans)
  
• 1/2 lb bacon (we used thick cut ham)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup onion - diced fine
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup molasses

-- Drain kidney and butter beans. Cook up the bacon in skillet, breaking it apart. Set aside.
-- Brown beef (keeping it chunky) with the onion. Drain and set aside.
-- Mix all beans and meat together in a 9 x 11 pan (or large iron skillet).
-- Mix the ketchup, sugar, and molasses together and pour over the protein.
-- Bake for one hour at 350 OR for 4 hours at 200. Also, you can cook it on low for 4 hours in a crockpot.