To make an easy 1-dish stew or chili, use a large saucepan or crock pot. Add the following:
a tablespoon of canola oil and a medium chopped onion – let it cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat
add meat like chopped beef or pork and cook until browned
add chopped vegetables of your choice like potatoes and carrots
add a can of tomatoes and seasonings of your choice (such as oregano, basil, a bay leaf or thyme) and let simmer until done