Sloppy Joes

This is not your elementary school cafeteria sandwich nor the Hunts Manwich we might be familiar with but rather a super tasty ground beef on a bun!

I found out through the amazing world wide web that the sandwich actually got its name from the famed Key West bar it was invented in, Sloppy Joe’s. While Ernest Hemingway was living in Key West, his favorite bar was said to be Sloppy Joe’s, and that has helped it become a bit of a tourist destination and the sandwich to become famous.

I followed this recipe exact except for the red pepper.  You may want to add that.

Sloppy Joes by Rachael Ray

1 tablespoon olive oil

1-1/4 pounds ground beef (sirloin or 90% lean)

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons of Montreal Steak Seasoning Blend

1 medium onion, diced

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 cups tomato sauce

2 tablespoons tomato paste

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add oil.  When hot, add meat and cook, breaking up with a metal spatula or spoon.  Combine brown sugar and steak seasoning and add to the skillet.  Stir into meat to combine.  When the meat has browned, add the onions.  Reduce heat to medium and add the red wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce and cook for 5 minutes.  Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste to pan and stir to combine.  Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes longer.

Serve on a toasted hamburger bun or crusty roll, as Rachael suggests.  Either way it’s delicious.

mise en place:

breaking up ground beef and browning with sugar mixture:

adding onions, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce:

tomato sauce and tomato paste:

simmering:

served with cold beans (variety Emerite) and cherry tomatoes (variety Sungold and Sweet Baby Girl) and a touch of Good Seasons Italian Dressing.  Ever make this?  It’s really good!