Sloppy Joes, Hope of a Hurried Nation

Pull out the red-and-white checkered tablecloth. I’m coming home for dinner.

There are only so many nouvelle dinners one can eat in a week. And isn’t America crying out for a little tradition, some comfort, a little taste of home? Oh, you’re too busy. You don’t have time anymore. Grandpa’s old BBQ beef recipe has been lost along with your favorite pair of socks, and even if it hadn’t, it takes the likes of two days to prepare.

But what about good old sloppy Joes? Maybe it’s not quite grandpa’s beef, but it sure is tasty, and 30 minutes is all the time you will need.

MENU (30 MINUTES OR LESS)

Sloppy Joes on Sesame Seed Buns

Coleslaw

INGREDIENTS

SHOPPING LIST

1 (16-ounce) container coleslaw

2 (4-count) packages sesame seed buns

1 1/2 pounds ground meat

1 large green bell pepper

STAPLES

Butter

Catsup

Garlic

Dry mustard

Onions

Worcestershire sauce

Cider vinegar

COUNTDOWN:

30 minutes before: Chop onions and bell pepper, mince garlic and saute.

20 minutes before: Add ground meat and brown.

15 minutes before: Add remaining filling ingredients and continue to cook.

10 minutes before: Toast the sesame seed buns.

5 minutes before: Assemble the sandwiches and serve with coleslaw.

SLOPPY JOES

Oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 onions, chopped

1 large green bell pepper, chopped

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 cup catsup

1 teaspoon dry mustard

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons cider vinegar

8 sesame seed buns

Butter (optional)

Coat large skillet with oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onions and bell pepper. Saute until aroma of raw garlic has disappeared. Add ground beef and brown over high heat.

Add catsup, mustard, Worcestershire and vinegar and heat through.

Toast top and bottom of sesame seed buns to medium-brown color, using about 1 teaspoon butter per bun, if desired.

Spoon beef mixture onto bottom bun and leave open-faced with top bun balancing on side.

8 sloppy Joes. Per sloppy Joe:

377 calories; 627 mg sodium; 48 mg cholesterol; 19 grams fat; 34 grams carbohydrates; 16 grams protein; 0.26 gram fiber.

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KITCHEN TIPS

*The inside of the bun can be scooped out to accommodate the sloppy Joe meat.

*The coleslaw can be served on the side or on top of the sandwich.

*Any ground meat, including turkey, chicken and pork, can be used instead of ground beef.

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SHORT CUTS

* Buy coleslaw from your favorite deli or supermarket to save time.

* If you’re cooking in a hurry for kids (or friends who still have a hearty kid appetite), serve barbecued potato chips with the sloppy Joes; they make a fast and fun addition.