Sloppy Joes

Some things just aren't all that pretty to photograph, but they are still delicious! And when I make something that my kids say is yummy, I want to pass it along. I've tried this recipe with ground buffalo, but you can substitute ground turkey (as in the original recipe I adapted from Gourmet September 2004), ground beef, or whatever you want as your protein source.

Sloppy Joes
serves 4 - 6

1 lb. ground buffalo or ground dark meat turkey or ground beef

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 organic celery ribs, chopped
1 orange or red organic bell pepper, chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 14 1/2 ounce can or box whole or chopped organic tomatoes in juice
2 tablespoons organic ketchup
1 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons organic blackstrap molasses

1. Heat oil in large sauce pan (at least 4 inches deep) over moderate heat until hot, then cook onion, celery, bell pepper and garlic until golden, about 10 minutes.

2. Add ground buffalo and cook until meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper.

3. Puree tomatoes with juice, ketchup, molasses, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce in blender until smooth. Add to meat mixture and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally until sauce is thickened, about 25 minutes.

4. Serve on warmed buns of choice. (Ciabatta, Francese or other firm ones seem to work out best.)