SLOPPY JOES CROCK POT FOR A CROWD RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large soup pot, cook ground meat over medium heat until browned. Drain grease from the pot.
• Add chopped onion, mixed vegetables, and tomatoes. Give it a stir. Reduce heat, and simmer for about 3 to 4 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Brown meat in a large deep skillet on medium-high heat; season with generously with salt and a little pepper. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat up into small pieces.
• When meat is no longer pink, drain all the liquid from pan. Add the onions, garlic and bell peppers to the meat and cook an addition 3-4 minutes.
• Transfer the meat to the slow cooker, then add tomato, cilantro, tomato sauce, 1 1/4 cups water, alcaparrado (or olives) [I usually add some of the brine from the jar for added flavor] then add the spices.
• Set slow cooker to HIGH for 3 to 4 hours or LOW for 6 to 8.
• After it's ready, taste for salt and add more as needed [I added a little more cumin and garlic powder at the end as well since the crock pot tends to mute the flavors of herbs and spices].
• Discard the bay leaves and serve over brown rice.
• Makes about 5 3/4 cups.