Lunch Lady Land

Who needs a can of "Manwich" sloppy joe mix, when you can make your own deliciousness.

Ground beef, onions and green peppers. You can make do without the green pepper if you don't have one, but if you do, use it. The onion is necessary. Brown the ground beef, get rid of most of the fat, leave a little for fun if you like. Add the green pepper and onions. If you like you can use other ground meat...turkey, pork, chicken. Also, if you want a low-fat ground beef version...brown the beef, the dump the whole mess in a fine mess strainer and run under hot water to rinse the fat away. You won't have fat free, but you will have lower fat.

Mix in a variety of seasonings, tomato paste, water and a bit of cider vinegar and/or Worchestshire sauce. Simmer for awhile, or turn the pan off and let sit until you are ready to have dinner. Serve on soft buns. Add cheese if you like. Just like Lunch Lady Land...only better!


Originally posted here.

Slightly altered here...

Sloppy Joes
1 lb ground beef
Hefty pinch of salt
Few shakes of Mrs. Dash

1 medium onion, diced finely
1 bell pepper, diced finely

1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
3 TB brown sugar

1 tsp cider vinegar
1/8 tsp Worchestshire sauce

1 6 oz can of tomato paste AND 1 1/4 cup water
OR
2-3 TB tomato paste, 1/2 cup tomato sauce and 1/2 cup water

In a large pan, brown the beef, while browning season with a little salt and Mrs. Dash....I always give my ground beef a little season, even if more is seasoning is coming later...it'll just taste better. Drain of most of the fat. Add the onions and peppers and cook for about 5 until the onions and peppers soft. When they are done, add in the spices and stir for about a minute. Add the water, cider vinegar and tomato paste. Allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes until hot, sloppy and bubbly.