I am always looking for new interesting recipes to try out at home and see how my family likes them. Some are keepers and make it in to the regular rotation of meals, others do not make the cut. It is definitely fun to try new things from time to time but there are a number of meals that are so popular around our house, nothing will ever replace them. Sloppy joes are one of those meals. There are actually squeals of delight when I announce that is what we are having for dinner. Compared to the reaction some meals get, this is a welcome change. Now, I don’t know about you, but sloppy joes when I was young reminded me of not-so-appetizing school lunches. Homemade sloppy joes can be both a delicious and healthy meal for your family.
Last week with our chili meal, we also introduced the idea of batch cooking. Remember, to do a round of big batch beef cooking start with four pounds of beef. Cook lean or extra lean quality Canadian ground beef in Dutch oven over medium-high heat for 10 minutes, breaking into small chunks with back of spoon, until browned. Drain, and return to pot. Add 4 of each onion and cloves garlic, minced, simmer for 15 minutes until vegetables are softened. Spread in a single layer on several foil or parchment paper-lined baking trays; freeze until meat is just firm, about 1 hour. Loosen into chunks; scoop meal-sized portions into freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To make this version of sloppy joes from Canadian Beef, use two cups of your frozen beef, 1 cup pizza sauce, 1 1/2 cups of frozen vegetables, and 2 tsp worcestershire sauce. Combine in a large heavy saucepan. Cook about ten minutes and place on toasted hamburger buns.
| 2 cups (500 mL) | frozen Big Batch Beef (recipe follows) |
| 1 | can, (7.5 fl oz/213 mL) pizza sauce |
| 1 ½ cups (375 mL) | frozen mixed vegetables |
| 2 tsp (10 mL) | Worcestershire sauce |
| 4 | hamburger buns or baked potatoes |
- Combine frozen Big Batch Beef, pizza sauce, frozen vegetables, Worcestershire sauce and 1/4 cup (50 mL) water in large heavy saucepan.
- Cover and simmer cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot, about 10 to 15 minutes. Use to top 4 toasted hamburger buns or baked potatoes.