Tuscan Bean

• 1 lb. of lean ground beef (organic if possible)
• 8-10 slices of bacon or Canadian bacon
• 4-5 cans of beans (or less depending on Crockpot size)

            – 1 can of Garbanzo Beans
– 2 cans of Dark Red Kidney Beans
– 1 can of light Red Kidney Beans
– 1 can of Cannellini Beans

• 1 medium onion
• 2-3 Cloves of Garlic
• 1/2 c. Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1/4 c. Brown Sugar
• 3/4 c. Ketchup
• Brown instant rice

***I make this meal with as many as organic ingredients (if not all) as possible, but it’s completely up to you!

Directions:

1. Cut onion and put into pan with a very little bit of olive oil or any oil of your preference.
2. Peel and chop garlic and add with onions and cook until translucent.
3. Add lean ground beef to the onions and garlic. 
4. In a separate pan, add the bacon either pre chopped or not, and cook bacon until slightly crispy.
5. Add the beef and onion and garlic to the crockpot and then add the bacon without adding all the oil from the bacon. (Hint: some of the oil from the bacon is the key to additional flavor, so you can add sparingly)
6. Open and drain the cans of beans and empty them over the beef and mix
7. Add apple cider vinegar (ACV), ketchup, and brown sugar and continue to stir the ingredients in the crockpot. (you may add more than the amount given: ketchup or ACV)
8. Set on high for about 4 hours and occasionally stir (taste to see if any of the above ingredients need to be added) or set on low for about 8 hours.
9. I like to use instant brown rice and I usually wait until my Tuscan Bean is almost done to put the rice on the stove.  Follow the directions on the box and you’re done!

I hope you enjoy this one!  You can bet I will be making more of this over the weekend! =)