1st place winner—Dan Deines, Gering, Nebraska

ITALIAN STEAK AND BEAN SOUP

Brown 3 lbs of your choice of steak in some extra virgin olive oil and some pepper. Let rest for 10 minutes and slice into cubes. Do not clean pan, you will use it again later. Remember to under cook the steak, as it will go into the soup and cook some more!

In crockpot, add:

2-15 oz. cans Great Northern Beans with liquid

2-15 oz. cans of beef broth

1 Tbsp. liquid smoke

Cut and saute´ in same pan you made the steak in:

1 Serrano pepper

2 Roma tomatoes (they hold up better in soups and sauces)

5 cloves of garlic, minced

1 medium onion

1 green pepper

When nice and soft and onion is opaque, add mixture to crockpot.

Season with 1 teaspoon each of the following: Salt, Pepper, Basil, Thyme, Onion powder, Garlic Salt, Lemon Pepper

Add steak and adjust seasonings as needed for taste.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream, fresh chives and some bread and butter!