Memory Lane

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I had some favorite foods as a kid. Although they aren’t gourmet I still love them to this day.

So when the weather suddenly turned from warm to rainy and cold this past weekend I got a craving for none other than “Sloppy Joes”.

I fell in love with Sloppy Joes when I was in elementary school and somehow it still holds a special place in my stomach and childhood memories. The other was spaghetti with meat sauce from Parkmoor the restaurant. My family use to go there on a regular basis and I just loved their spaghetti or their premium frank, which I can’t eat anymore without feeling sick.

Getting back to my Sloppy Joes, I decided to make them for dinner tonight in anticipation that it was suppose to rain all day. Of course, it was sunny and warm but, with the ingredients in hand already, I prepared them. Although this time I served them on a whole grain bun which is better for you than on a white bun. They were scrumptuous! Just like I remembered.

Sloppy Joes will bring you back to your childhood and hey, if you have kids they’ll love them as well. Just like many of us did as children.

So here’s the recipe for Sloppy Joes that I’ve been making for years. It reminds me of those days running around the grade school cafeteria. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do, if you try them.

Sloppy Joes
serves 6

1 lb ground sirloin
2 medium onions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup ketchup
2 ribs celery, finely chopped

Brown the ground sirloin and onion together in a skillet. Drain and add the remaining ingredients. Mix and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve on hamburger buns.

They’re great served with sweet potato fries and coleslaw, some other favorites of mine.