Sloppy Joes

It was obviously one of those nights that I clearly didn't consider my husband while planning dinner; he wouldn't be home for it, anyway. For some strange reason, the thought of Sloppy Joes had crossed my mind, and in one of those serendipitous moments (especially for a pregnant lady with a craving), we had all the ingredients I'd need. Since Dave wasn't home (and tends to dislike Sloppy Joes), it all seemed like the signs were too good to be true. Sloppy Joes, it is! Woo hoo!

I scoured the Internet looking for a homemade version, and came up with this variation (taken from a couple of other versions: namely, The Pioneer Woman and Rachael Ray)

Meg's Sloppy Joes
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 lb. ground beef (most recipes call for 1 1/4 lbs, at least, but this is what I had on hand)
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. steak seasoning
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 onion, chopped/diced
1/2 red pepper (can be green), chopped/diced
1 clove garlic, chopped
Splash Worcestershire sauce
Splash red wine vinegar
1 can (approx. 15 oz) tomato sauce
A few squeezes of ketchup

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium high heat. Add the ground beef and start to brown. Add the sugar and spices, and continue to brown the meat, cooking for approximately 5 minutes. Next, add the onion, pepper, garlic, Wor. sauce, and vinegar. Allow these to simmer on medium for approx. 5 minutes more. Finally, add the tomato sauce and ketchup and continue to simmer until reduced.

Serve on toasted bun (can also add cheese to the top, but I couldn't bring myself to do it) with appropriate sides; I had sweet potato chips and pickles (what else? ;-D)...and I didn't actually toast the bun because I couldn't be bothered. 30 Rock was calling my name. Literally. Liz's ex-boyfriend, Dennis, was calling for his new wife, whose name just happens to be Megan. Add that to the fact that it was a St. Patrick's Day episode and there was no way I was toastin' any buns. No time, man, no time!


Just a heads-up that this ended up needing some definite simmering to become thick enough to eat, but it's all good. Also, just gotta share that my ingredients helped make this. Everything was all-natural (yes, even the Worcestershire sauce and vinegar), and some were organic. The roll I used was fresh-baked at a local marketplace and the beef was locally-raised and grass fed...not that you could necessarily taste it, but it matters. :-)

I must say that these will be a definite on the future "Mommy and Me" menu. Y'know that menu, don't you? For when Daddy's unavailable to join us for dinner...and Mommy wants to be the favorite. (Honestly, I'll need all the help I can get; I'm definitely going to be the disciplinarian in this household.) And I only wish I could have found a sufficient Adam Sandler video clip for this post, but I'm sure anyone in the know can hum along (Slop- Joe, Slop-Sloppy Joooooes...anyone?).