Pioneer Chow - Troop 158, Herndon VA

Pioneer Chow
Hearty and simple to prepare. This is camp comfort food at its most basic.
Single recipe makes 6 to 7 servings
Ingredients
Single recipe – serves 6
Double recipe -- serves 12
Ingredient
2 pounds
1
1 can (15-ounce)
½ can (11-ounce)
1 can (28-ounce)
2 packages (14.5-ounces)
4
2
1
1
1
3
ground beef
medium onion(s), ¼-inch dice
tomato sauce
condensed tomato bisque-flavored soup
pork and beans
corn chips (such as Fritos or Tostitos)
Toppings
2 cups (8 ounces)
1 container (8-ounces)
OR 1 container (8-ounces)
4 cups (16 ounces/1 pound)
shredded cheddar cheese
1 container (16-ounce)
sour cream OR
2 containers (each 8-ounces)
crème fraîche
pounds
can (28-ounce)
can (11-ounce)
can (55-ounce)
packages (14.5-ounces)
Directions
1. In a large-size skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground
beef and onions. Cook until meat loses its pink color, but
do not overcook or the meat will become dry and crumbly.
Drain the grease.
2. Blend in the tomato sauce, tomato soup and pork and
beans.
3. Heat and simmer until the chow reaches the desired
thickness, scraping the bottom and sides of the pan
occasionally. Serve over corn chips with optional toppings
as desired.
Recipe Variations/Embellishments
Ø Add ½ bell pepper (any color) and/or 1 celery stalk, each ¼-inch dice, when browning the ground beef
and onions.
Ø Prepare 1 to 2 fresh garlic cloves, finely chopped or pressed through a garlic press. Add to the browning
ground beef and onions about 3 minutes after beginning to cook the mixture.
Ø Add 1 to 1½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce and/or several dashes of hot sauce when adding the
tomato sauce, tomato soup and pork and beans.
Ø Instead of fresh garlic add ¼ teaspoon garlic powder near the end of the cooking time.
Ø Near the end of the cooking time, check the flavoring of the chow and adjust the taste with salt and
pepper.
Based on a recipe from
Peacepipe Council, Girl Scouts of the USA
Recipe courtesy Eric Stewart