Sloppy Joes and More Easy Goodies
It’s that time of year to be outside, enjoying the beautiful weather and dining al fresco. The menu below can be prepared on your stove, or better yet, give your grill a good workout. Gas grill directions are noted with **.
Sloppy Joes
Baked Beans
Sweet Corn on the Grill
Snazzy Sliced Tomatoes
Crusty buns
Rose Wine or Cold Beer
Sloppy Joes
1 lb. ground beef
½ medium onion chopped fine
1 celery rib chopped fine
3 tbsp. dried mustard
½ tbsp. molasses
3 tbsp. ketchup
¼ cup brown sugar
1 cup chicken stock – plus more if required
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Brown ground beef in a medium sized frying pan. Be sure to break up any chunks. Add onion and celery. Continue to fry until beef is nicely browned. Drain in a colander.
In a medium sized saucepan, combine the remaining ingredients to taste, then add the beef and vegetables. Cover and simmer for 1 hour. Monitor closely and add more chicken stock if sauce gets dry.
**It’s easy to cook Sloppy Joes on the grill. Follow the recipe above, just be sure to use heavy pans and stir frequently.
Serve on crusty buns.
Baked Beans
1 small can Bush’s Honey Baked Beans
1 small can Bush’s Homestyle Baked Beans
2 tbsp. dried mustard
2 tbsp. maple syrup - optional
2 strips bacon
Preheat oven to 325°.
Pour beans into a metal loaf pan or oven safe dish. Stir in mustard and syrup. Lay bacon strips on top. Bake in the center of the oven 45 minutes or until desired consistency.
**Set grill temperature to medium. Only use a metal pan if you cook the beans on the grill. Prepare as above, then place pan on top rack. Cook about 25 minutes or until desired consistency.
To serve – discard bacon.
Sweet Corn on the Grill
1 ear fresh corn per person – do not remove husk
Water
Butter or margarine
Salt
Pour cool water into a container large enough to hold the sweet corn. Soak corn still in its husk at least 1 hour, but no more than 2 hours.
Set grill on medium high. Remove corn from the water and lay the ears on the grill. Roast until the husk is brown on that side, then turn and repeat the process. Total cooking time is about 20 – 25 minutes.
To serve - peel back the husks. Roll the ears in butter or margarine, then sprinkle on a touch of salt, and enjoy!
Snazzy Sliced Tomatoes
1 tomato per two people
Red wine vinegar
Garlic powder or fresh garlic minced
Fresh or dried chives
Prepare this dish about an hour or so before serving.
Slice tomatoes ½” thick and arrange on a serving plate.
Drizzle vinegar over the tomatoes, then dust with garlic powder or fresh garlic. Sprinkle plenty of chives across the top.
Set on the counter away from sun or heat to flavor through.
As always, I'm happy to have your input. Please feel free to comment.
Sloane Taylor
And all this time, I thought Sloppy Joes were created from a package! Love this - especially the cold beer! BTW - Still waiting at the dock! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like. It's also better the next day.:)
DeleteWoman, I've been paddling around for ages trying to get across the USA to your border, but the damn dirt keeps slowing me down.
Yum! The tomato slices sound scrumptious! And we all love sloppy joe's and baked beans, but I usually put ground beef in my baked beans to make them heartier. I can't wait for the corn and tomatoes to become available at the Farmer's Markets.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the tomatoes. They're easy and a little zip to any meal.
DeleteOoh, never thought of ground beef in the beans. I bet that tastes great and WOW on hot dogs! How do you do it, Cordelia?
I'm with Sharon. I thought SJs were canned creations. Sounds delicious, Sloane.
ReplyDeleteHi Ann, I thought so too until I ran out of cans and had last minute company coming. Surprise phone calls like that make a woman think fast. LOL
Delete