Sloppy Joes - A Very Tasty Recipe

 

Sloppy Joe (w/bun tilted to show the filling)

Here's a yummy meal we haven't had in years. I had to make these to counteract the disappointing results we had from Manwich's Sloppy Joe sauce, which actually used to have a pretty good flavor in the not so distant past. Forget that stuff! Don't waste your money. If you think about buying it, just buy a can of tomato sauce & mix it with your ground beef instead. That would be the equivalent. Manwich is a weak shadow of itself now. The bold, satisfying flavor that they used to claim on their commercials is gone.

So enjoy this recipe! It's simple and delicious!

1# ground beef

1/2 a medium onion, diced + equivalent amount of diced green bell pepper

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 Tbsps Worcestershire Sauce

1 tsp. mustard (yellow or dijon)

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

4-5 shakes of Tabasco 

1 8 oz. can of tomato paste

Water or stock (beef, chicken, or vegetable) as needed

S&P to taste 

Buns! (or your favorite bread)

1. Brown & break up the beef into smaller pieces (a 10" to 12" frying pan works well).

2. Add onion & bell, mix well. Cook until tender but still firm, stirring once in a while.

3. Add garlic, cook for a minute or two. 

4. Make a well in the middle, then add tomato paste. Gradually mix with other ingredients, allowing the paste to caramelize a bit. 

5. Add water or stock gradually, until it reaches a good thickness. If you add too much, don't worry,  just let it simmer until it reduces after you add the rest of the ingredients listed below.  (Adding too much and letting it reduce is a good idea anyway, because it helps the beef absorb the other tasty ingredients). 

6. Add Worcestershire, mustard, garlic powder, paprika, S&P, and Tabasco. Stir well. Let simmer for 20 to 30m. If it gets too dry, add more water or stock. 

7. Great on toasted buns or bread!