Chili Con Carne

1 ½ dry red or kidney beans*
1 onion, chopped
1 pound ground beef
1 one pound can (2 cups) diced tomatoes
1 green pepper, chopped (optional)
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste
1 to 1 & ½ Tbl chili powder
1 & ½ tsp salt
1 bay leaf

Rinse beans; then add to 1 & ½ quarts cold water and let stand overnight. Add 1 teaspoon salt to beans and soaking water; cover, and simmer until tender, about 1 hour. Drain, reserving bean liquid.

Spray pan with cooking spray and brown ground beef, then drain off any fat. Add onions and green pepper to ground beef and cook until onions are tender. Add beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, seasonings, including a dash of cayenne pepper & dash of paprika.

Cover and simmer 1 ½ hours, adding reserved bean liquid or water as needed. Makes 6 servings.

*Or use two 1 pound cans (4 cups ) red or kidney beans. Drain beans, add to meat mixture with tomatoes and etc.