Monday, January 12, 2009

Grandma Ryan's Sloppy Joes

In beer commercials single guys seem to encounter a never-ending string of beautiful, buxom, scantily clad blondes with Ms. America smiles who like to frolic in hot tubs. The music pulses, the good times roll, and life is glamorous. While being a single guy had its thrills for me, it was far from being a party at the Playboy Mansion. During my bachelor years, my inner gourmet was drowning in a sea of beer, and my path to culinary enlightenment was blocked by microwaveable meals, bar food, and recipes spotlighting ground beef. A culinary highlight during this bleak period in my life might involve browning some hamburger and combining it with a can of Manwich. I could sometimes go a week eating leftover Sloppy Joes.

Needless to say I don't miss that life. Gone are the cans of Manwich, and when I make Sloppy Joes today, they're made from scratch, using a recipe our household received from our dear friend Mary Ryan. I know there are some culinary snobs out there who scoff at the notion of this sandwich. Just give it a try. I think, you'll find the tang of the mustard, vinegar, and the hint of cloves to your liking. If this recipe doesn't make one of the best Sloppy Joes you've ever tried, leave your name & address, and I'll mail you a can of Manwich.


Grandma Ryan's Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped green pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Directions:
  1. In a large skillet, brown the beef and drain excess grease. Set aside.
  2. Saute onions and green peppers until soft.
  3. Add beef to the onions and green peppers.
  4. Mix remaining ingredients together and add to the meat.
  5. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
  6. Enjoy!
Eat your vegetables,
muddywaters

PS. . . I do miss the stereo speakers I had during my bachelor years, but that's about it.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's funny because I was just craving a Manwich. I'm definately going to try this recipe.

High Plains Drifters said...

Bachelor food... ahh, the memories.

Waking up with melted fake cheese under my fingernails from a three am stop at the 7-11 for a chili cheese dog.

I knew a guy who was saving every dime for grad school, and he lived off of rice three meals a day. Rice and butter and/or maple syrup for breakfast, rice and hot sauce for lunch, and rice with Mrs Dash for dinner.

A buddy used to cook every meal on a cast iron skillet, then would set it on a wooden cutting board to eat dinner right out of the skillet. He always cooked more than he needed, and left the left-overs on the stove. The next morning, regardless of what dinner was, he cracked an egg or two and fried up the mixture for breakfast.

I think there's a parody cookbook waiting to be published of bachelor cooking tips.

rebel said...

Yummy. Real close to how I make mine.

muddywaters said...

okiesister: I know Manwich is convenient, but you gotta try this recipe. You'll never go back to the can after this recipe.

Drifter: We are primordial beasts. Your stories are a testament to that. I'm just glad we're able to be somewhat domesticated.

Rebel: Thanks. . .You'll need to share your recipe on your blog.

The Duo Dishes said...

Mmmmm, these looks hearty and delicious. And sloppy! That's the best part.

shweetpotato said...

Its almost 9 am here and Im waiting for hubby to go get some hamburger buns so we can eat our sloppy joes, the meat is all ready LOLOL, have you ever had sloppy joes for breakfast? Ill let ya know how we like them. Carm

shweetpotato said...

Delicious..we loved these, next time I will double it, hubby can eat alot :D Thanks so much for the recipe, Carm

Anonymous said...

Muddywaters - Thank you for your wonderful and very humorous blog! I was a Little Miss Pickyeater on occasion, wonder if my folks were smart enough to take away something I really liked.

Anyway, I will definitely try this recipe, I haven't had Sloppy Joes since I was a kid and I loved them. Lucky me, no Manwich, my mom made them from scratch, probably a recipe similar to this one. Will be a fun treat.