Grandma's Vegetable Beef Soup

December is here and the days are getting shorter, colder and busier.  For me, nothing refreshes and warms like a hot cup of Grandma's Vegetable Beef Soup.  This is one of my favorite things to make and is a weekly staple in my house during the winter.  The best part is it is OH SO EASY to do...so easy even a domestically inept individual like myself can do it!  This meal is made in the slow cooker...which means you mix it up and forget about it.  Go to work, do your shopping and come home to a piping hot cup of healthy goodness.  The hardest part is browning the beef...promise!

Mom's Award Winning Chili

The other day there was just a "hint" of fall in the air.  Picture for yourself a delightful mixture of cool morning temperatures, back to school buzzing all over town, and pots of hardy mums bursting forth with color and dotting every shop corner.  I live for fall.  It's the most fabulous time of year.  I love everything about it...especially football season!  And where there is football, chili inevitably follows.  
So it was in such a setting one morning that I decided to put on a pot of chili.  Not just any chili...my mom's AWARD WINNING chili.  I'm not sure what makes it so special but for me its the best chili out there and no matter how hard I try, I can never seem to get it just the way mom makes it.  She was kind enough to allow me to share her recipe.  So I hope the next time you decide to make some chili, you'll give this recipe a try.
This is a great recipe because its sooo easy and it's made in the slow cooker!  If you haven't discovered the joy's of slow cooker cooking....then I suggest you do!  There is nothing like coming home from  a hard day at work and finding dinner....already made!  Hot and ready to go!  

Mom's Award Winning Chili

Ingredients:

These are the brands I like to use!

• 1.5 lbs ground beef
• 1 pkg of McCormick Original Chili Seasoning
• 1 large can (46oz) of tomato juice (you won't use all of it)
• 1 can (14.5 oz) of petite diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 can (14.5 oz) of chili beans
• 1 jar medium salsa
• 1-2 tsp chili powder
• 1-2 tbsp brown sugar
• cayenne pepper, salt to taste

Instructions:

• Brown the beef in a large skillet over medium heat.  Drain fat.
• Place all the ingredients in a large slow cooker and stir well.  Only add about half of the tomato juice.  You can add more later if necessary...depending on how liquid-like or chunky you like your chili.
• Let the chili sit on low in the slower cooker over several hours.
• Serve with fresh cornbread or oyster crackers!