Hurricane Irene with a side of American Chop Suey

This weekend we are in for crappy weather, hurricane Irene is moving up the coast heading our way bringing with it tons of wind and rain. John and I didn't have any plans this weekend which was nice because the next few weekends with be busy with traveling and weddings so it will be a nice calm before the storm. (haha) 

We decided to make it a lazy weekend today I finally was able to finish the book I have been reading for the last 2 months. It was the last book in the Clan of the Cave Bear series, I really loved these books! They are not usually the type of books I read but I really got into this series. John played video games all morning while I finished up the book. Looking outside it was a torrential down pour but we decided to go grocery shopping anyway that way we didn't need to leave the apt the rest of the weekend. :) Since we were stuck inside with bad weather what goes better then comfort food in other words american chop suey. I used a recipe that I found off the internet which turned out to be pretty good.

• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1/2 green bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and shopped
• 1 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 to taste kosher salt
• 1 (7 1/4 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (7 1/4 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1/8 cup tomato paste
• 1/3 cup tomato juice
• 1/2 pinch sugar
• 1/2 lb elbow macaroni

1. In large pot over medium heat melt butter. Add onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic for about 1 minute. Stir in ground beef and cook, stirring and breaking up meat chunks with a spoon. Cook until meat is done, about 7 minutes until no longer pink. Toss herbs and pepper over the meat mixture, add salt to taste, and stir until well mixed.
2. Add canned tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and tomato juice. Add sugar to taste. Simmer gently while you prepare the pasta.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil over high heat. Add macaroni and cook until al dente, stirring occasionally. Drain the macaroni and add to the chop suey.