Sloppy Joe's

I don't remember eating Sloppy Joes much as a kid. I have an impression of it being something uniquely American. I recall spending a large amount of time trying to identify the "Manwich" from "A sandwich is a sandwich, but a Manwich is a meal" and finally realizing that the terrifying gooey sandwich the boy was eating was full of sloppy joes.


Happily, this recipe is a little more high brow that opening a can of sloppy joe sauce - only a little though. Note the liberal use of ketchup. This recipe is from Nigel Slater's "real fast food". As soon as I read it I knew I had to make it. I knew combination of beef and mushroom and Worcester was going to have a delicious umami-ness. This was the most delicious and satisfying thing I have made in a long time.

Sloppy Joes
(adapted from Nigel Slater's "real fast food")

1 lb ground beef
1 onion, diced
4-5 white mushrooms, sliced
4-5 chrimini mushrooms, sliced
1-2 small tomatoes, chopped
1 tbsp Worcester sauce
3 tbsp ketchup (and honestly, you could use a little more)

1. Brown beef if a large pan or dutch oven. Drain excess fat and add the onions. Cook about 5 mins until onions are slightly softened.
2. Add everything else. Cover and cook 15-20mins stirring occasionally.

Serve on grilled baguette. I put some olive oil on on the baguettes, then rubbed it with some garlic and found it to be especially delicious.