Sloppy Joes, food coincidence and movie trivia
The boys were watching The Backyardigans. At the end of every episode, one of the characters invites the others over for some specific snack. This time, Tasha invites the gang over for Sloppy Joes. And that’s what I was making for dinner that night! I don’t really have a recipe, but I prefer to make up a sauce instead of using ketchup or a can of Manwich.
This time I started with sweating one small onion… (grated finely so the kids don’t notice it) and adding 1 1/3 lb. ground beef . Cook over medium heat until the beef is browned. Then I added about 6 oz. of extra firm tofu, shredded with a fork. No one notices the tofu in the Joes, and the health benefits and anti-cancer properties are pretty amazing. After the beef, onion and tofu are browned and mixed well, add a 15 oz. can of tomato sauce, 4 Tbs. of brown sugar, 1 Tbs. of Worcestershire sauce and some fresh-ground pepper. Mix well and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Serve on hamburger buns with lots of napkins. 🙂 Recipe breakout is at the end of this post.
Anyone remember this movie quote from the 80s?…
“A lot o’ people don’t realize what’s really going on. They view life as a bunch o’ unconnected incidents ‘n things. They don’t realize that there’s this, like, lattice o’ coincidence that lays on top o’ everything. Give you an example; show you what I mean: suppose you’re thinkin’ about a plate o’ shrimp. Suddenly someone’ll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate o’ shrimp out of the blue, no explanation. No point in lookin’ for one, either. It’s all part of a cosmic unconsciousness.”
- 1 1/3 lb ground beef (I prefer 85/15)
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 6 oz. extra firm tofu, shredded with a fork
- 1 15 oz. can of tomato sauce
- 4 Tbs. brown sugar
- 1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
- fresh ground pepper to taste
Sweat onion over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef and brown. Add tofu and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Serve on hamburger buns.
This looks great! I think simple, delicious food is the best you can ask for. It’s fun to make the more complicated things, but really for day to day…it’s the quick, yummy recipes and ideas that I appreciate!
Thanks!
@Dionne, Thanks! I think we all get in the rut of having the same 15 (or so) dishes over and over. Part of the reason for doing this blog was to give me incentive to increase that number. 🙂 Feel free to offer suggestions…
Now the real question, did you know the movie quote? I’m counting on you!
Love the site, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a recipe for tomato anything that doesn’t call for salt!
The quote is from a movie I haven’t seen in forever and am now inspired to see again. Not going to spoil for everyone just yet, all I can say managing a pop group is no job for a man!
Life is definitely more complicated today; there are so many choices it boggles the mind. Love that you narrow the choices for us by your suggestions for the tasty, healthy, simple meals that can uncomplicate meal planning — most of us just need the hints. Appreciate that your blogs are not lengthy.
Grest picture of the cook books.
Movie quote sounds a bit like Forest Grump but think that’s a 90’s movie. My forgetter works really good. xxxooo
Let’s go eat sushi and not pay. Wow, that’s a blast from the past. I’m also a big fan of this movie and won’t give it away. He was a young gun 🙂
@Curtis, Thanks! Actually, the Worcestershire sauce itself is fairly salty. Feel free to add salt as needed. Maybe we should have a Guy’s Night In and watch that movie.
@Mom, Thanks for taking a look at this, I appreciate it. I hope this is helpful to you and lots of other people. Didn’t you take that picture of the cookbooks? xoxox…
@Steve, You got it. See my comment above about GNI.