Sloppy Joes are a classic American comfort food, and while there may not be a specific “Briar Flats, Texas” version, I can provide you with a basic Sloppy Joe recipe that you can enjoy. You can always adjust the ingredients to your taste. Here’s a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey for a lighter version)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Hamburger buns
Instructions:
- In a large skillet or frying pan, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until it’s browned and crumbled. If there’s a lot of excess fat, you can drain it.
- Add the chopped onions, green pepper, and minced garlic to the pan with the cooked meat. Cook and stir until the vegetables are softened, which should take about 5 minutes.
- Add the ketchup, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chili powder, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Stir everything together until it’s well combined.
- Reduce the heat to low, and let the mixture simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.
- Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning as necessary. You can add more salt, pepper, or chili powder to suit your preferences.
- While the Sloppy Joe mixture is simmering, toast the hamburger buns in the oven or on a griddle until they’re slightly crispy.
- Once the Sloppy Joe mixture is ready, spoon it onto the bottom halves of the hamburger buns.
- Top with the other halves of the buns, and you’re ready to serve!
You can also add cheese slices, pickles, or coleslaw as toppings for your Sloppy Joes if you like. Enjoy your delicious Briar Flats, Texas-inspired Sloppy Joes!
