Sloppy Joe

I am going to admit it...I have a guilty pleasure and his name is Sloppy Joe. I think it is because they bring me back to my childhood. I was craving them and caved into ultimate childhood feats of sloppy joes and tater tots. Very high class food. :)

1 Tbsp olive oil (or vegetable oil)
1/2 cup chopped mixed bell peppers - use whatever is your favorite. I used a combo of green and red
1/2 cup finely chopped onion (about 1/2 medium onion)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/4 lb ground beef or ground turkey if you want to make it a bit leaner
1/2 cup ketchup
1 can tomato paste
1 can diced tomatoes (I like the petite cut tomatoes)
two good shakes of Worcestershire sauce
black pepper to taste

1. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan on medium high heat. Add the bell pepper and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 more seconds. Remove from heat. Remove vegetables from the pan to a medium sized bowl, set aside.

2. Using the same pan - heat the pan on high. Crumble the ground beef into the pan. brown and drain off fat.

3. Return the cooked ground beef and vegetables to the pan. Add the ketchup, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce to the pan. Stir to mix well. If it is very thick add 1/4 to 1/2 cup water. You want enough water in it so that it is saucy and can simmer with bubbling from the heat. If it is too thick it will just burn to the bottom and sit like a lump. Lower the heat to medium low and let simmer for 10 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Serve on hamburger buns. Serves 4.

This serves 4 using either bigger kaiser type rolls or using a very generous helping on regular hamburger buns. Or can serve 6 using smaller helping on a regular bun.