Real sloppy joe sandwiches should require a fork and knife.
They also should be packed with a mouthpuckering combination of sweet tomatoes and savory spices that envelopes tender ground beef. And there should be just a hint of heat.
Achieving this perfect sloppy joe sandwich required weeding out any ingredient that would distract from the essentials.
For that same reason, the technique used to prepare the onion (in which the beef is sauteed) matters greatly. Most recipes call for finely chopping, or even mincing. A food processor is much easier.
This method reduces the onion (especially once cooked) to a soft pulp, imparting plenty of flavor but little texture.
A blend of smoked paprika, chili powder, yellow mustard and cumin provides deep, smoky flavors. These are balanced by the sweetness and acidity of the tomatoes and vinegar.
A teaspoon or so of hot sauce is the traditional source of mild heat in sloppy joes, but adding pickled hot or sweet peppers (such as jalapeno or Peppadew) offered superior flavor. And by tossing them in the processor with the onions, their flavor was uniform.
Sloppy Joes
1small onion
1tablespoon chopped pickled hot or sweet peppers (such as jalapenos or Peppadews)
3cloves garlic
2tablespoons olive oil
1teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2teaspoon cumin
1/2teaspoon chili powder
1/2teaspoon dry yellow mustard
11/4pounds ground beef (not lean)
1/2cup ketchup
1 1/2cups tomato puree
1tablespoons cider vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4hamburger buns
Bread and butter pickle slices, for serving
In a food processor, combine the onion, hot or sweet peppers, and garlic. Pulse until very finely minced. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl several times. Set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion mixture and saute for about 4 minutes. Add the paprika, cumin, chili powder and mustard powder. Stir well and saute another 4 minutes, or until the onions are very soft.
Add the beef and saute, breaking up the clumps with a spoon, until the meat is just browned, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large measuring cup, whisk together the ketchup, tomato puree and vinegar. Add this to the meat, bring to a simmer, then lower heat to medium and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
Season the sloppy joes with salt and pepper. Arrange each bun on a serving plate, then spoon a quarter of the sloppy joes into each. Serve with pickles.
Makes 4 servings.
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