“The Sloppy Joe”
Sloppy Joe Recipe
Serves 6
This diner staple began with an unfortunate name: the loose meat sandwich. But with little clever reworking it evolved into a humble classic. Just swap out your napkins for a beach towel for this messy (but oh so satisfying) sandwich.
INGREDIENTS:
6 potato hamburger buns
3 Tbs of Olive Oil
1 yellow onion, minced
1 green bell pepper, minced
3 cloves of garlic
3 Tbs of tomato paste
2 lbs. of ground beef
3/4 Cup of ketchup
2 Tbs. of Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. of red pepper flakes
2 Tbs. of Brown Sugar
1 cup of water
Salt and Pepper to taste
Sliced Pickles
For the Onion Rings (recipe to follow):
1 red onion, sliced into rings
1 cup of flour
1 cup of beer
1tsp of salt
1tsp of black pepper
1tsp of paprika
1tsp of garlic powder
Canola Oil for Frying
STEPS:
Make the Sloppy Joe:
In a large pot brown the beef over high heat ~ 8 minutes. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the meat as it cooks. Transfer the meat to a large bowl, and set aside.
Add the olive oil to the pot.
Add the onions, green bell pepper, and garlic to the pot and cook until the onions are translucent ~ 3 minutes.
Add the beef back to the pot and stir to combine.
Add the tomato paste and stir well. Cook until the tomato paste is rust-colored ~ 2 minutes.
Add the ketchup, mustard, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, and water to the pot. Stir to combine.
Bring to a boil and then lower to simmer.
Simmer for 30 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Keep warm.
For the Onion Rings:
Over medium high heat, heat a large cast iron skillet or pot with ~ 1/2 inch of canola oil in the pot to 350ºF.
While it’s heating combine the beer, flour, and spices in mixing bowl. whisk until just combined.
Add the sliced onion rings.
Coat fully in the batter, and then place the onion rings, one by one in the hot oil.
Cook on one side for about 20 seconds and then flip.
Cook on the second side for about 2 minutes.
Flip and cook on the first side again for about 2 minutes.
Remove the onion rings to a cooling rack on a sheet pan or a plate lined with paper towels.
Keep warm in a low oven until ready to assemble the sandwiches.
Assembly.:
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown each of the potato buns on one side until golden. I usually add about 2 Tbs of olive oil or butter to the pan.
Lay out all of the rolls with the inside facing up.
Scoop a portion of the sloppy joe onto each bun.
Top with the onion rings and sliced picked.
Hand out beach towels in lieu of napkins.
Serve.