Recipe developed and contributed by Maureen Gualtieri
This month’s recipe is the definition of rib-sticking: perfect for a weeknight dinner, or as an energy-boosting lunch after a chilly driveway-salting expedition! DFC’s Original BBQ sauce does the flavour heavy lifting, supported by the deep umami of tomato sauce and the bright notes of green pepper and onion. This scoop of winter-heaven-on-a-lightly-toasted-bun begs to be served with something crunchy on the side, from pickles to chips to coleslaw!
BBQ Sloppy Joes
(Yield: 8 servings)
700g lean ground beef, or vegetarian ground beef alternative
(if using vegetarian option, olive oil for the pan, to taste)
1 medium (approx 150g) yellow onion, diced fine
1 medium (approx 250g) green pepper, diced fine
2 tbsp (30ml) tomato paste
1 1/3 c. (320ml) tomato sauce
2/3 c. (180ml) DFC’s Original BBQ sauce
2 cloves (approx 20g) garlic, minced
1/2 c. (118ml) water
salt and black pepper, to taste
4 of your favourite soft burger-style buns
butter, to taste
4 slices pepper jack cheese
Heat a non-reactive saucepan on medium. If going with the veggie ground beef alternative, glug a couple of tablespoons of olive oil into the pan, and once it’s shimmering, brown off the meat. If using actual ground beef, add oil according to the fat content of the meat, brown off, then drain the excess fat and discard it.
Add the diced pepper and onion to the pan and stir. When the veggies have softened a bit, push the mixture to the perimeter of the pan and tip your tomato paste into the middle. Stir the paste on its own around the middle constantly, until it takes on a darker colour and a more “cooked” scent, about 2 minutes. Then stir everything in the pan together, and quickly add in the tomato sauce, garlic, DFC’s Original BBQ sauce, and water. Cover and simmer, stirring periodically, for 10 – 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Meanwhile, heat a cast-iron or griddle on medium-low. Separate out your bun halves and butter the insides. Invert buttered side down on the hot pan, and grill until toasted and golden.
To serve, plate a bottom bun half and top with a generous scoop of sloppy joe mixture. Pile on a slice of cheese and the top half of the bun, then enjoy immediately with kettle chips or a crunchy coleslaw on the side!
