Servings: 4-6

I keep trying different methods and improving my sloppy joe game. Here’s a really good version, a bit more work than some of the others, but worth it.

Ingredients

• Olive oil (3 turns on the skillet)

• 1 yellow onion, finely diced (1/4″ cubes)

• 1 large, or two smaller carrots, finely diced

• 2 celery stalks, finely diced

• Feel free to add other firm saute veggies to the mix: bell peppers, beans and the like

• Either

  • 1 pound ground meat (beef, pork, bison, chicken)

• Or

  • 1/2 package of extra firm tofu, cut into 1/2 in cubes
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms

• 2 tablespoons minced garlic

• 1/4 cup red wine

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

• 1/4 cup cider vinegar

• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon pepper

• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

• 3 ounces tomato paste (1/2 can)

• 1 1/2 cups (1 28oz can) crushed tomatoes (a good brand like Muir Glenn)

• For Mashed Potatoes

• 3 large or 6 small russet potatoes

• 1 Tbsp butter

• 4 Tbsp sour cream or 1/4 cup milk

Directions

• In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, combine the olive oil, onion, celery and carrots; cook for 5 minutes until softened.
• Meat version
  • Add the meat, break up and brown.
  • Depending on the amount of residual fat, you may need to drain some from the pan.
• Or
  • Add the Tofu and/or sliced mushrooms
• Add the garlic, let cook for 30 seconds
• Deglaze with red wine, then stir in the remaining wet and dry ingredients
• Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stiring every 5 minutes so it doesn’t burn
• If the sauce gets too thick as it simmers, add up to 1 cup of broth or water to adjust the consistency.

While sloppy joe mixture is simmering…

• Cut potatoes into 1″ pieces, boil for 20 minutes, and until a fork easily penetrates the potato
• Drain water from pot, or pour into a colander and return potatoes to pot
• Add butter and sour cream to potatoes, and mix with a potato masher
• You can also just serve over sliced or baked potatoes, or mashed without the dairy, rice, pasta, or the more traditional buns or bread as well