Recipe: Sloppy Joes

This is one of my “comfort food” faves. This version is a bit of work compared to just using a supermarket spice pack but it’s good.

2 TBS olive oil
]1 onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 jalapeño pepper, diced (or about 1 TBS of Tabasco Green Jalapeño Sauce)
1 bell pepper, 1” dice (optional)
6 cloves crushed garlic
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup tomato sauce
3 TBS tomato paste
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tsp Tabasco or other hot sauce
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 TBS chili powder
1 tsp dried mustard
1 tsp red wine vinegar
1 TBS brown sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Onion rolls or other buns

Heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat. When oil is hot, add the onion, celery, jalapeño, and bell pepper. Cook until soft. Add the garlic and continue cooking for 3 or 4 minutes.

Increase heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook meat until browned (about 10 to 12 minutes). Pour off excess fat. Season with salt and pepper.

Lower heat back to medium and add the tomato sauce, paste, ketchup, Tabasco, mustard, vinegar, sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, stirring, until the liquid is reduced and the mixture is thick (15 to 30 minutes).

Season with salt and pepper and serve on onion rolls or other types of buns.

Adapted from Epicurious, January 1999.