Dutch Oven Cowboy Stew

About 14 servings

Ingredients:

7 potatoes, cut into about 3/4-inch pieces
1 1/2 pounds Angus ground beef
2 medium onions, diced
3 cups canned corn, drained
3 cups canned peas, drained
3 cups green beans, drained
3 cups tomato soup
3 cups baked beans, NOT drained
3 cups stewed tomatoes, NOT drained, but cut into dices
2 Bay leaves
1/3 stick of butter

Instructions:

Prepare the Fire: This stew is a camping classic, perfect for those outdoor adventures. Start by setting up your campfire and a sturdy tripod with a 12-inch lidded Dutch oven hanging from it. Adjust the height of the pot on the tripod chain to control the cooking temperature. This part takes about 30 minutes to get everything ready.
Boil Water: Place 2 to 2 ½ inches of water in the Dutch oven and hang it over the open fire. Bring the water to a boil, which typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
Cook Potatoes and Onions: Add the potatoes and diced onions to the boiling water. Potatoes can be slightly above the water level. Allow them to cook for about 30 minutes in a rolling boil.
Brown the Ground Beef: While the potatoes are cooking, brown the Angus ground beef in an RV or any available cooking setup. Break up the hamburger into as small pieces as possible. Remove the hamburger from the pan using a slotted spoon to drain as much grease as possible.
Combine Ingredients: Do not drain the potato and onion water. To the Dutch oven, add the remaining canned items, including corn, peas, green beans, tomato soup, baked beans (not drained), stewed tomatoes (not drained but cut into dices), and bay leaves.
Simmer: Simmer the stew with the lid on for about 15 to 20 minutes to let all the flavors meld together.
Final Simmer: Remove the lid and simmer for an additional 10 minutes to thicken the stew slightly.
Season to Taste: Allow each person to season their stew with salt and pepper according to their taste preferences.
Serve: This hearty Cowboy Stew is best enjoyed with a side of cornbread. Optionally, you can add fresh sliced carrots along with the potatoes or toss in some chopped cabbage for extra flavor.