Bubba’s Sloppy Joes

Our adult taste-testers described this dish as mildly hot. If your family prefers less kick, adjust the amount of pickled jalapeños (and liquid from the jar) to suit their tastes.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef 
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes 
• 1 1/4 cups ketchup 
• 1/2 cup bottled barbecue sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños (optional)
• 1 tablespoon liquid from pickled jalapeños (optional)
• 8 hamburger buns, toasted

Directions:

1. Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until beef crumbles and is no longer pink; drain well. Return cooked beef to skillet.
2. Stir in tomatoes, next 3 ingredients, and, if desired, jalapeños and liquid. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes or until thickened. Serve mixture on toasted buns.
3. Note: For testing purposes only, we used KC Masterpiece Original Barbecue Sauce.

Source: Richard Coleman, Orange Park, Florida, Southern Living
MARCH 2006