Hot Dog Vegetable Stew

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: twenty minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

one Tablespoon butter
one Tablespoon olive oil
one large onion, peeled, cut in half, and sliced
one large rib of celery, diced
one large carrot, peeled and diced
two cloves garlic, finely-chopped
one cup beer (may substitute additional chicken broth or white wine)
two cans (about 14 ounces each) chicken broth or 3-1/2 cups homemade chicken broth
one can (about 14 ounces) Italian-style chopped tomatoes
1-1/2 cups tomato juice
one Tablespoon kosher salt
one cup little pasta (ditalini, child shells, or your choice)
1/4 pound fresh green beans, sliced in to 2-inch lengths
1/4 of a green bell pepper, diced
one cup frozen sweet peas
1/2 cup frozen corn kernels
one can (about 15 ounces) cooked black beans with liquid or about 1-1/2 cups homemade cooked black beans
8 hot canines (beef, pork, chicken, or vegetable), cut in to 2-inch lengths (see Note)
one teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
two teaspoons chili powder

Preparation:

Heat a large stockpot or dutch oven over medium heat. Add butter, olive oil, onion, celery, and carrots. Gently saute until onions are translucent, about five minutes. Add garlic and stir-fry one minute longer. Carefully pour in beer. Simmer until beer is reduced by half.

Add chicken broth, tomatoes, tomato juice, and salt. Bring to a boil, then add pasta and green beans. Simmer at a low boil for five minutes. Add bell pepper, peas, corn, black beans with their liquid, hot canines, oregano, and chili powder. Return to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer another ten minutes before serving.

Yield: 8 to ten servings