The Crock Pot Chronicles: Two for One Special- Spicy Sloppy Joe's/Taco Salad

What could be better than a slow cooker recipe for saving you time? How about a slow cooker recipe that makes a second, different meal the next night. That's right...here we go.

Day 1- Spicy Sloppy Joe's

Ingredients:

2 lbs ground beef

2 16 oz jars of salsa (Pace or the store brand works really well, even though I'm a snob and won't eat it by itself)

3 cups sliced mushrooms

3 large carrots, shredded

1 1/2 cups chopped red bell pepper

1/3 cup tomato paste

2 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

4 cloves garlic, minced

6 wheat kaiser rolls

Directions:

1. In a large pot or skillet, cook beef over medium heat until browned (break into small chunks). Drain off fat.

2. In 5 quart slow cooker or larger, combine beef and all ingredients (except of course the rolls!).

3. Cover and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours (half the time for high setting).

4. Reserve unused meat mixture for tomorrow's dinner.

5. Serve Sloppy Joe mix on kaiser rolls. I suggest toasting the rolls to keep them from getting soggy. We served ours with mustard potato salad and pickles.

Day 2- Taco Salad

Ingredients:

Reserved meat mixture (5 cups)

1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 tsp taco seasoning*

9 cups torn iceberg lettuce

corn chips

shredded cheddar cheese

1-2 tomatoes, chopped

sour cream

*If you don't have taco seasoning, here's what is in it... onion powder, salt, chili powder, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, oregano, cumin. I do about equal parts of these to get my seasoning.

Directions:

1. In a large saucepan, stir together meat mixture, beans, and seasoning. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes.

2. Serve by layering lettuce and corn chips in a shallow bowl. Add some of the meat mixture and top with cheese, tomatoes and sour cream.

Each recipe makes about 6 servings. Enjoy!