Sloppy Sloppy Joes

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 small onion
• 1 tablespoon pickled hot peppers (such as jalapenos or peppadews, chopped) or 1 tablespoon sweet pepper (such as jalapenos or peppadews, chopped)
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 1/4 lbs ground beef, not lean
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 1/2 cups tomato puree
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• salt, to taste
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 4 hamburger buns
• bread and butter pickles, slices for serving (optional)

Recipe

• 1 in a food processor, combine the onion, hot or sweet peppers, and garlic.
• 2 pulse until very finely minced.
• 3 you may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl several times; set aside.
• 4 heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• 5 add the onion mixture and saute for about 4 minutes.
• 6 add the paprika, cumin, chili powder and mustard powder.
• 7 stir well and saute another 4 minutes, or until the onions are very soft.
• 8 add the beef and saute, breaking up the clumps with a spoon, until the meat is just browned, about 5 minutes.
• 9 meanwhile, in a large measuring cup, whisk together the ketchup, tomato puree and vinegar.
• 10 add this to the meat, bring to a simmer, then lower heat to medium and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
• 11 season the sloppy joes with salt and pepper.
• 12 arrange each bun on a serving plate, then spoon a quarter of the sloppy joes into each.
• 13 serve with pickles, if desired.