Friday, January 23, 2009

sophisto joes

How long has it been since you've eaten sloppy joes? I have a feeling the last time I had one was as a school lunch in elementary school.

The last time I was home, I saw this recipe in "Gourmet" and I wrote it down in my recipe notebook.

Since I had recently opened a bottle of wine, I figured that this was a good time to try this recipe. On top of that, it has been really cold and kind of gloomy and I've been in the mood for some comfort food.

Sophisto Joes from Gourmet, October 2007 : Serves 4

Ingredients
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can whole tomatoes in juice, drained
1 large onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
1 celery rib, finely chopped
1 1/2 lb ground beef chuck
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup dry red wine
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
4 kaiser rolls, split

Preparation:
Purée tomatoes in a blender.

Cook onion and garlic in butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until onion begins to brown, 4 to 5 minutes.

Add carrot, celery, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, 4 to 5 minutes.

Add beef and brown, stirring to break up lumps, 5 to 6 minutes.

Add chili powder, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring, 2 minutes.

Add puréed tomatoes, wine, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar and boil, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened, about 6 minutes.

Season with salt and sandwich inside rolls.


NOTES: First off, I cut the recipe in half, since there is only the 2 of us. I used a canned tomato sauce which had garlic and onion blended in. The sauce also had some sugar in it, so I think when I added the suggested amount of sugar, this made the sauce a bit sweet. The next time I make this, I think I'll either leave out the sugar or not use the canned tomato sauce.

Also, I used some roasted garlic that I had in my refrig instead of fresh garlic and EVOO instead of butter. I also did not know what chuck was in Japanese, so I just used the ground beef that is sold in the markets. Is it the same thing?

I didn't use the amount of salt they had listed, I just did a little sprinkle and several grinds of pepper. I couldn't find hamburger buns nor kaiser rolls at the supermarket, so I ended up getting butter rolls. Can you believe that they only sell 6 rolls in a bag here? Anyway, they were smaller than hamburger buns, but tasted good with this recipe. (I actually wanted to get the rolls with wheat/grains in them but they had some weird butter substitute in them.)

I served the sophisto joe with some cole slaw. This was a great combination of comfort foods. (I actually had another sophisto joe after eating the slaw and the one in the photo.)

Up until now, I have never used the canned version of sloppy joes nor have I ever made sloppy joes, but I think this recipe is a keeper--it is fast, easy and delicious.

Hope you have a nice weekend.

17 comments:

  1. I think I haven't had a sloppy joe since elementary school too. Looks really good. Take care and keep warm.

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  2. Hi Kat - Looks good.... I don't remember the last time I had a sloppy joe!

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  3. Wow, your sloppy joes look much better than the ones we used to get during public school lunch in Honolulu! I think the sauce for those probably came out of a can and the whole filling was scooped onto a hamburger bun using an ice-cream scooper, so they all had a stiff dome shape until you smashed it. Kind of disgusting, but they were tasty, though.

    Thanks for bringing back those memories.

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  4. haha Sloppy Joes! Though I prefer the original because it is not nice if the bread gets soaked with sloppy joes. Hmm...its been a while since I have had spaghetti...

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  5. Thanks Laura!

    Thanks Kirkk!

    OMG, Jenster that is exactly how I remember sloppy joes in school too.

    Soaking the bread is the best part of the sloppy joe, Phoebe :)

    Take care everyone!
    Kat

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  6. There's something about cabbage and sloppy joes together, isn't there! I have a recipe for SJ that I've made for years that includes the cabbage in the sloppy joe itself (along with onions and celery) and it's so yummy. I haven't made it in a year or so, though, so you've inspired me to make it again. Yum.

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  7. Perfect comfort food. My Mom used to make them all the time when I was young but it has been a long time since I have had one. These look delicious!

    BTW: I finally tried the "London Fog" tea latte (what they are calling the Lavender Earl Grey one) at Starbucks today and I liked it. I have been wanting to try it since your post. ;-)

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  8. Have you posted about it Abigail? I'll surf around on your blog, sounds like a delicious recipe!

    I am glad you liked the "london fog", Deb, I've heard mixed reviews on it.

    Take care you two.
    Kat

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  9. I believe that the only time I ever did eat SJ's was at the school cafeteria!

    I hear you on the cold & gloom. I better walk the dogs before it starts raining.... :-(

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  10. No, I've never posted about it but if I do I'll let you know! It also calls for vinegar and brown sugar which make it kind of sweet/sour. I like the addition of chili powder, cumin, and red wine in yours. Sounds really oishii yo!

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  11. Do you guys still have snow Rowena? Keep warm!!

    Thanks for telling me that Abigail, I was just about to look on your blog :) vinegar and brown sugar sounds delicious, kind of reminds me of baked beans now...

    Take care.
    Kat

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  12. Great idea for a blog! I love all the recipes and information about Japan. I good friend of mine and her boyfriend were in Osaka last summer and came back with some great photos. I like the fact that you have alot of information about Japan on the site.

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  13. Also reminds me of my school lunches. The lunches I remember most are Sloppy Joes, Spanish Rice, Hamburger Stew and Chicken Ala King.

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  14. I remember spanish rice, hamburger stew and shoyu chicken, Nate. I think Chicken ala King was at my pre-school (I didn't like it).

    Take care.
    Kat

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  15. Hmm, can't remember my last sloppy joe...maybe 2 years ago??

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  16. Wow, you've had one recently, Lori :)

    Take care.
    Kat

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