SOUTHWEST-STYLE COWBOY BEANS

 2 1/2 cups dry pinto beans, rinsed and soaked overnight

4 quarts water

1 medium onion, quartered

1 tbsp salt

1 lb ground beef or turkey*

1/2 lb bulk turkey* breakfast sausage, crumbled

1 small onion, chopped

1 large green bell pepper, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 can 14 1/2-oz recipe ready diced tomatoes - do not drain

1 can (6-oz) tomato paste

1 pkg (1.25-oz) taco seasoning mix

green onion, chopped, for garnish if desired

Place the water, soaked beans, and the onion into a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, partially covered, for 1 1/2 hours or until the beans are tender. Add the salt and cook another half hour.

In a large skillet, combine the ground meat, sausage, bell pepper and garlic; cook, stirring often, until the meat is browned; drain in a colander.

Add the meat mixture, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and taco seasoning to the beans. Cook over medium heat for another half hour, stirring occasionally.

Note: If serving with cornbread, make homemade cornbread with white whole-wheat flour. If you prefer sweet cornbread, substitute Splenda granulated for the sugar in your recipe. Unless your blood sugar is well controlled, it is probably best to leave off the cornbread.

Garnish with the green onion, if desired.

*Always check the label on your ground turkey and/or turkey sausage for fat content and ingredients. If it contains the skin, do not buy it.

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