Hawkeye Sloppy Joes

My friend Marcy shared this sloppy joe recipe with me.  She made it one time when we visited her lovely home in Iowa.  She prepared it with her typical midwestern laissez-faire elegance. Iowans are no-nonsense, quick and efficient in their movements.  I think it’s something about growing up in a farming community.

I watched her as we reminisced, she threw this concoction together in mere minutes.  Honestly, it didn’t look particularly appealing.  We moved into the living room to continue our conversion as the pot simmered.

The time passed too quickly as it often does with old friends and soon the kids wandered in looking for snacks, but it was already dinner time.  So, Marcy started dispensing sloppy joes like a short order cook. I don’t know if it was the jetlag, or that crisp Iowa air, or that fresh Iowa grass fed beef, but that was the best sloppy joe I ever had – unexpectedly delicious.

I immediately asked her for the recipe.  I was surprised to learn that it was not some long passed down family secret. She told me it was originally from the New York Times.  She later shared the link with me.

I love how easy this recipe is to prepare – although it did seem even easier when Marcy made it.  It’s been a family favorite in our home for years.  My family refers to them as the Hawkeye Sloppy Joes.  They make a hearty, satisfying meal and its budget friendly.  It’s a convenient impromptu meal – everyone always has ground beef in the freezer and the other ingredients in their pantry.

Our kids often have friends over, and sometimes you end up with a few more dinner guests than you planned on.  This is a quick and easy meal that can be prepared at a moment’s notice and will leave everyone smiling and asking for more.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 onions chopped
  • 2 ribs of celery diced
  • 1 jalapeño pepper diced (optional)
  • 1 red pepper diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1-1/2 lbs. ground beef
  • 4 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • hot sauce to taste

Directions:

  1. In large pot or Dutch oven, sauté the onions, celery, and peppers on medium-high heat. When the vegetables are limp, add the garlic and continue cooking for 5 minutes.
  2. Add the ground beef and cook until well browned
  3. Lower heat to medium low and add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce if desired. Continue cooking for another 15-20 minutes.
  4. Season to taste and serve bread of your choice