Sloppy Joes

I was looking for some quick new recipes to try once baby arrives.  I've never made sloppy joe's from scratch before, so I decided I would give them a go.  I was surprised at how easy they were to make and how much better they were from scratch.  This picture doesn't do them any justice.  I will be making this simple dinner once the little one arrives. 

Sloppy Joes

Recipe Courtesy of Ezra Poundcake

For the best flavor, make the tomato sauce ahead of time, and store it in the refrigerator for at least an hour so the flavors can meld together.

Serves 4

• 2 TABLESPOONS VEGETABLE OIL
• 1/2 MEDIUM ONION, CHOPPED FINELY
• 1/2 TEASPOON SALT
• 2 CLOVES GARLIC, MINCED
• 2 TEASPOONS CHILI POWDER
• 1 POUND GROUND SIRLOIN
• FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER, TO TASTE

Tomato Sauce:
• 1 15-OUNCE CAN TOMATO SAUCE
• 1/4 CUP WATER
• 1/4 CUP DARK BROWN SUGAR
• 1 TO 2 TABLESPOONS RED WINE VINEGAR
• 1 TABLESPOON WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
• 1 TABLESPOON YELLOW MUSTARD
• 1 TO 2 TEASPOONS CRUSHED RED PEPPER FLAKES
• 2 TABLESPOONS TOMATO PASTE

• 4 HAMBURGER BUNS
• BUTTER, FOR SPREADING ON HAMBURGER BUNS

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil to medium-high. Add onion and salt, lower heat to medium, and sauté until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2. Add garlic and chili powder, and cook for about 30 seconds.
3. Add beef, and cook for about 3 minutes, breaking it up as you stir. (The meat will still be a little pink when you move on to step 5. Don’t worry. It will keep cooking as it simmers in the tomato sauce.)
4. In the meantime, grab a medium bowl, and combine the tomato sauce, water, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard and red pepper flakes.
5. Add the tomato mixture to the beef. Stir in the tomato paste. Simmer for at least 10 minutes, or until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. (If it seems a little “wet,” just keep simmering.)
6. To Prep the Hamburger Buns: Warm a skillet over medium heat. Butter the insides of the buns, and place them butter-side down in the skillet. Toast. (We just threw ours in the toaster without butter)
7. Taste the Sloppy Joe mixture, and adjust the seasonings. Sandwich the mixture in the hamburger buns, and serve.