Sloppy Joe

The spring allergens are in the air and I really did not feel like going out this afternoon at all. So looking through the fridge, I found some nice local ground beef I had picked up at the Co-op that needed to be cooked. I found a few other things that I thought might be good for a twist on Sloppy Joe's.

If you are used to the sweet SJs out of a can or package, I don't know if you will think this will be for you. If on the other hand you would rather have some vegetables packed into your meat-wich, you might think this one is OK. Easy? Heck yeah. Took me about 45 minutes beginning to end. Sure, I have made SJs with the mixes for years. I keep thinking though that there should be tasty and healthy ways to make the same thing. So, this is what I happened to have in the house. I think that other vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, peas, corn) could also be added if you want. If you don't want to or are worried about shredding little carrots, only shred 2/3 of each and eat the nub. Yet another way to get veg in you diet.

1 lb ground beef
1 small chopped onion (about 3/4 cup or so)
12-14 mini carrots shredded (1/2 cup-ish)
2 small squash/zucchini shredded (another 3/4 c. or so)--I used one green & one yellow
1/2 tub (4 oz) chopped porcini mushrooms
1 6-oz can tomato paste
3-4 crushed garlic cloves
2 T. olive oil

1 T. chili powder
1 t. paprika
1 t. dried oregano
1 t. cumin
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. salt & fresh ground pepper

Brown the beef in a pan. Remove to a bowl. Saute onion and carrot in olive oil for 5 min or so until soft. The carrot will start to give off natural sugar which will help sweeten the dish naturally. Add squash and mushrooms and mix together. Saute for another 4 or 5 minutes until just starting to soften. Mine looked something like this:

Add beef to veg mixture and stir in tomato sauce and 1.5 cups of water. Add all the spices and stir to mix well. Once it starts to bubble, reduce heat to medium low and continue to cook for 12-15 minutes until the mixture has thickened. If it is still too runny, keep stirring and cooking for a few more minutes--don't worry, you won't kill the dish.

I didn't have any buns or bread in the house, but I did find some Wasa crackers and green chile cheddar. Melt the cheese on the bread (a broiler or toaster oven would be great for this) and top with the SJ mixture.

I think it tastes pretty good and a nice way to get veggies into the carnivore's ball. Give it a try. Play with it a bit. What can really go bad?

I had a couple people ask how much space I have in my kitchen. Well, to be honest, I actually have quite a lot. More than most to be sure. But that is one of the reasons I bought this house. Here is a photo. I am always happy to have folks come join me cooking here. Enjoy!