Is it possible to mention the words sloppy joe and not make a SNL/Billy Madison/Adam Sandler reference? I’ve had this American staple only once in my life, this year, in Argentina… eating something called a “sloppy joe” grossed me out and just thinking about the hamburger helper type meat just didn’t seem Kosher. But boy was I missing out! I had to learn how to make this meaty, tomatoey, saucey treat. And I’m glad I did.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KslGZ86Dt_4&hl=en_US&fs=1]
Sloppy Joe Recipe Adapted from Goddess Martha Stewart:
Ingredients:
* 1 teaspoon oil (I used sunflower, but any neutral tasting version is fine)
* 1 medium onion, finely chopped
* 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
*Coarse salt and ground pepper to taste
* 1/2 kilo ground beef , yes I’m mixing metric and NORMAL measurements
* 400 g tomato puré (tomato sauce is fine too)
* 2 tablespoons tomato paste (this was to thicken my thin puré)
* 1/3 cup ketchup
* 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce .. or Salsa Inglesa here in ARG
* Pinch(es) of red pepper flakes (optional)
* 4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
* Potato Chips – I splurged here and bought the fancy kind
Directions:
1. In a pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Add ground beef to pot. Cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until it is no longer pink, 6 to 8 minutes.
3. Stir tomato puré (and paste), ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce into beef mixture in skillet. Simmer until thickened, stirring occasionally, 6 to 8 minutes.
4. Season the mixture with red pepper flakes and more salt and pepper, as desired. Spoon onto buns, and serve immediately with chips.
There were no leftovers in sight, except for a few scraping the bowl-type mini spoonfuls that had my name on it. If anyone got in my way I’d have to pull a LAY OFF ME I’M STARVINGGGGGGG
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YfvBbxE1vU&hl=en_US&fs=1]
TomAt Alki says
Where in Argentina (BA) did you get the 1st sloppy joe?
razalba says
I had a very talented friend open my eyes to the world of sloppy joes and make it for me.
Pearl says
Sloppy Joes! A favorite childhood meal …….my sweet dear mother made it the best. Normally, I wouldn’t eat soggy bread or buns, but a great big Sloppy Joe sandwich was an exception.