Sloppy Tom's by Tom

Sloppy Tom's

A couple of friends were coming over for a holiday drink the other night.  Not knowing how long into the evening the festivities would go, we decided that we should have something available for dinner if they cared to join us.  That meant it had to be something both easy and able to be prepared ahead of time.  Hence the creation of Sloppy Tom's! 

From an earlier posting of a Dinosaur Bar B Que recipe of Shepherd's Mac and Cheese, I had mentioned that the base of that recipe I thought would make a good sloppy joe's-type dish.  With that in mind and a little creativity, Sloppy Tom's were created.  All of us really enjoyed the meal, so this one is a keeper.
                        ---Tom

The Ingredients
 serves 6 on open face rolls

  2# lean ground beef - I used 95% lean

  1 medium sweet onion diced

  1 red pepper diced

  1 yellow pepper diced

  1 large jalapeno pepper diced (optional)

  2 tablespoons chopped garlic

  2 cups barbeque sauce - sweet versus smoky works best

  1 tablespoon brown sugar

  1 tablespoon tomato paste

  1 teaspoon chili powder

  Salt and pepper to taste

  2 tablespoons canola oil

  Serve on hamburger rolls - I used potato flour rolls

After you have diced the onion and peppers, throw them into a large skillet with oil over medium heat.  Sprinkle some salt and pepper on the mixture.

Saute the vegetables until they are soft but not browned.  Next add the garlic and saute for one more minute.

Now add the lean ground beef to the vegetables and cook the meat until it is well crumbled and has lost its pink color.  If you find you have too much liquid in the vegetable and meat mixture at this point, just carefully pour most of it out.

Toss in all of the remaining ingredients.  Stir well, and check for how well the meat and vegetables are coated with the barbeque sauce.  If you need a little more sauce, add it now.  Simmer the mixture for at least 20 minutes.  After simmering, you can take it right to the plate, or refrigerate as I did and serve the next day.

Serve over a hamburger roll and enjoy.  This is a good cold weather meal.  And kid friendly.

                                  ---Tom