Sloppy Joes

OK, I admit it. When I looked at this recipe I had my doubts. Red peppers? In Sloppy Joes? But they add color more than flavor, and nutritional value. These are sweet, tangy sour, and mildly spicy (you can add more heat if you like).

Ingredients

3 Tbsp oil of choice

1 cup diced onion

1 red pepper, diced

 1 ½ tsp garlic, minced

1 pound ground beef

2 Tbsp brown sugar

2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

¾ tsp liquid smoke

1 Tbsp chili powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 cup ketchup

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Buns for serving

Instructions

     Heat a 10” skillet to medium heat and add oil. When hot, add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent.

     Add the peppers and garlic, stirring while cooking for 1 minute.  Then add the burger, breaking it up with a wooden spoon and mix all together. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

     Add  the brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire, liquid smoke, chili powder, and paprika. Stir until mixed thoroughly, about 2 minutes and add ketchup and vinegar, mixing thoroughly again.

     Simmer softly at least 5 minutes, longer is better, up to an hour. The flavor gets better with more time.

    Serve on buns sided with pickles, chips, potato salad, mac salad, cole slaw, etc.