It seems like all of my recipes are approximations only! But here is something I’ve been making a lot of lately, it is cheap, and tasty.

Beany Tomato Stew
2 cups beans (any type you have on hand, assorted, etc)
1 cup brown rice
1/4 cup - 1/2 cup Tomato paste or concentrated crushed tomatoes (we buy this in a approx 1 gallon can for around $3 - $4)
3 Carrots
3 Sticks Celery
1 Onion
1 Bell pepper (any colour)
Salt and pepper to taste, normally I put 1 - 2 tsp. of salt, it can take a lot
Hot sauce - a few dashes
Celery seed
Basil
Oregano
Garlic
All of the above dried spices just sprinkle in liberally until it tastes good :). Maybe 1/2 tsp celery seed, 1 tsp each basil, oregano, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. But taste it and see.

Put the beans on to soak the day before, and the rice in a separate container. The night before throw the beans into the crockpot on low with more than enough water to cover, and leave on overnight. In the morning, if you are ambitious you can sautee your onion in a large pot until it is golden, (or just chop it up and throw it in with everything else) transfer the beans to a large pot with some of the soaking water if there’s some left. Drain the rice, and put it in, chop the veggies, put them in, make sure there is enough liquid to keep the food moist so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Add the tomato paste/crushed tomatoes and spices and stir.

Bring to a boil, then reduce to low to cook througout the morning. And it should be done by lunch! Yummy, and cheap :). It also freezes well for reheating - you may just need to add a bit of water to prevent sticking. Easy peasy to double the recipe for freezing!