Sloppy Joes

Do you ever find yourself on the hunt for a good recipe and you get sucked into the story the blogger is telling? I really like this anecdote from Our Best Bites but here's a brief summary in case you're too lazy to click the link: Kelsey from The Next Food Network Star 2008 made sloppy joes for a challenge and had to feed them to Martha Stewart and Martha refused to eat them! I can't think anyone would be above eating a sloppy joe but there you have it! Anyway, so glad I tried this recipe; it's a good one! Oh and in case you're wondering: apparently these hail from Sioux City, Iowa. These "loose meat" sandwiches are the creation of a chef named Joe :)

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. lean ground beef
Seasoning salt, to taste
1 medium onion, minced
1/2 green pepper, minced
3-4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
3/4 cup ketchup
1 tsp. mustard
3 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. red wine vinegar
3/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
1/3-1/2 cup water to reach desired consistency
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
6-8 hamburger buns
Pickle slices

DIRECTIONS:
Chop the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat about 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. When hot, add the beef and brown it, stirring frequently, with the onion, green pepper, and garlic. Season to taste with seasoning salt.

Add in mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, red wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Combine tomato paste and water and add to hamburger mixture. Add more water if desired. Season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Cover, turn heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve on hamburger buns (we actually love them topped with pickles; also: you can serve these as sliders on King's Hawaiian Rolls).