Goodbye Manwich, Hello Super Sloppy Joes

The term "Manwich" has always been equilavent to the phrase "sick nasty" in my book.  Sloppy Joes have traditionally ranked up there with my notion of bad meatloaf (just bad ones...I don't mind a good one every now and then).  However, I decided to give this poor man's entree a try again...albeit the non-canned, non-processed, veggie-rich, grass-fed beef version (recipe below).  Why?  Simply, my husband loves them and my kids will eat them.

Tonight's Super Sloppy Joes Review:  Kids ate them with no prodding!  Nathan thought they were flavorful, wants me to make this recipe again, but asked for the veggie chunks to be smaller next time.  As for me...well, actually I didn't mind them.  They weren't greasy at all, like my former experiences.  I would like to try ground Smart Chicken next time just to cut down on the saturated fat, though. 

For my own version, I combined Rachael Ray's and Ellie Krieger's Sloppy Joe recipes, while making a few of my own changes.  We put our meat/veggie mixture on mini whole wheat buns and served them with oven fries and salad.

Super Sloppy Joes

Serves: 4

1 lb lean grass-fed beef
2 tsp Montreal steak seasoning
2 T brown sugar
1 T olive oil
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 red pepper, finely chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 - 8 oz can unsalted tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon maple syrup
4 whole wheat buns (or 8 mini buns)

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and meat to the pan. Spread the meat around the pan and begin to break it up. Combine brown sugar and steak seasoning. Add sugar and spice mixture to the skillet and combine. When the meat has browned, remove from pan to drain oil.  Wipe pan out.  Add olive oil.  Then, reduce heat to medium and add carrot, onion, red peppers, garlic, red wine vinegar, and Worcestershire to the skillet.  Cook until veggies are tender, about 5 minutes. Add meat, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and maple syrup to pan. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to simmer and cook Sloppy Joe mixture 5 minutes longer. Using a large spoon or ice cream scoop, pile meat mixture onto toasted bun bottoms and cover with bun tops.

The lighting in my kitchen combined with my cheap camera never seem to give an accurate representation of my food.  But, this gives you the idea!

If you like this recipe, you may also enjoy:
Stretch a Buck Turkey and Bean Burrito Burgers 
Mini Chicken Burgers with Herbs