Hot And Spicy Sloppy Joes

In a large skillet cook ground beef, onion, and garlic until meat is brown and onion is translucent. Drain off fat.

Meanwhile, in a 4 quart crock pot or slow cooker combine tomato-vegetable juice, tomato sauce, water, brown sugar, jalapeno peppers, chili powder, hot sauce, bay leaves and oregano. Stir in meat mixture.

Cover; cook on low heat setting for 8 hours or high heat setting for 4 hours. Toast buns; spoon meat mixture over buns and sprinkle with cheese.

Add or substitute basil, marjoram, thyme or other herbs as desired.