Cowboy Hot Pot recipe

Earlier this week on Menu Monday I posted that I'd be trying a new recipe- the 'Cowboy Hot Pot' from my Vegetarian and Vegetable Cooking book by Christine Ingram. After giving it a test run I've decided it's worth sharing! If you are looking for ways to reduce meat consumption in your home, this has been a really worthwhile cookbook. 

First let me say this is a great recipe base. Meaning, you don't like something in it? Change it! You could even add hamburger or some other meat to it if you'd like. Although, I do believe in giving things you think you won't like a try. So maybe the first time, try and stick close to the actual recipe.

Ingredients:

1 sliced onion

1 red bell pepper sliced

1 sweet potato or 2 carrots, chopped

3 tablespoons sunflower oil(i used grapeseed oil)

4 ounces green beans, chipped

1 can baked beans (14oz)

1 can corn(used a pint of frozen corn from the garden)

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon seasoned sale

4 ounces smoked cheese, cubed

1 pound potatoes, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons butter melted

salt and pepper

1. Fry the onion, pepper and sweet potato(or carrots) in the oil until softened, but not browned.

2. Add the green beans, baked beans, corn with liquid, tomato paste, seasoned salt. Bring to a boil then simmer for 5 minutes.

3. Transfer the vegetables to a shallow oven proof dish and scatter the cubed cheese on top. 

4. Cover the vegetable and cheese mixture with the sliced potatoes, brush with butter and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked and golden brown. 

It sounds like a strange mixture, right? But it really tastes pretty good. The words that come to mind are, Comfort Food. I had two servings. Whoops. The baked beans really come through in this, so you'll probably for sure like it if you like baked beans. I used the sweet potato option over the carrots and found that extra tasty.

Truly there are all kinds of things you can do to this to make it to taste- add hot peppers, meat, use different cheese, omit the baked beans and do a regular bean, add more tomatoes, etc. Think of it like a baked potato. And get creative! Just, eat those veggies, ok?