Picadillo From A Crock Pot - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lbs lean ground beef
1 1/2 cups chopped green bell peppers
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup sliced scallion
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/3 cup chopped pitted dates
1/3 cup chopped dried apricot
1/4 cup sliced pimento stuffed olive (optional)
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted (optional)

Preparation

In a large nonstick skillet, or skillet sprayed with nonstick spray, begin to brown beef, stirring and breaking up with a wooden spoon.
As meat begins to brown, add bell pepper through garlic. Continue to cook until meat is well browned and vegetables soften.
Drain off fat and place meat in a 4-quart crock pot.
Add tomatoes through black pepper and stir well.
Cover, set crock pot on \"high\" and cook 3 hours.
If desired, stir in almonds.