Menu #53

Sloppy Joes is a favorite in the Waller home.  It’s cheap, easy, and satisfyingly comforting.  It’s one of those meals that always takes me back to childhood, especially served with corn on the side.  Here’s my recipe. . .

Sloppy Joes

3 T brown sugar

1 t garlic powder

1 t onion powder

1 t  paprika

S&P, to taste

1 T extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

1/2 T minced garlic

2 T tomato paste

1 lb ground beef

1 T red wine vinegar

1 T Worcestershire

2 C crushed tomatoes

Mix together brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and S&P to make a Sloppy Joe spice mix and set aside. 

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Add onions & peppers and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.  Add garlic & tomato paste and cook another 2 minutes.  Add the meat & season with the spice mix.  When the meat has browned, reduce heat to medium and add red wine vinegar & Worcestershire and cook another 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce, stir to combine, reduce heat to a simmer and cook another 20 minutes longer.

This week’s menu:

Monday:  Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken/quinoa & black beans

Tuesday:  Sausage-kale-potato soup/whole-wheat rolls

Wednesday:  Shrimp Salad over greens/whole-wheat rolls

I’m also teaching a Lil’ Chefs School on this afternoon.  We’re making cheese ravioli out of wonton wrappers along with a make-your-own veg salad. 

Thursday:  Chicken-Broccoli Stir Fry/steamed brown rice/edamame & mandarin oranges

Friday:  Movie @ The Park!  Quinoa-Spinach Patties in Pitas/hummus & pita chips/whole-wheat couscous salad/lemon bars

We’re going to picnic while watching Madagascar 3 at one of our local parks.  J

Saturday:  Housewarming Party #1!  Chicken-Sausage-Veg Kabobs/corn salad/pasta salad/chocolate fountain w/ fruit

This is the 1^st round of housewarming parties we are throwing this summer.  We decided to divide the parties into several throughout the summer rather than one huge one, so that we have more conversation time with all our guests (and not too many kids at one time).  ;-)

Sunday:  Party Leftovers!