”Not So” Sloppy Joes

”Not So” Sloppy Joes recipe with shredded beef, onions, celery, green pepper in a tangy chili sauce served on hollowed out French bread.

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”Not So” Sloppy Joes Ingredients

• 5-6 Pound, Chuck Roast

• 1/2 Cup, diced onion

• 1 Cup, diced celery

• 1/2 Cup, diced green pepper (or whatever color you like)

• 1 Bottle, Heinz Chili Sauce

• 1/4 Cup, Light brown sugar (packed)

• 1 Teaspoon, Worcestershire Sauce

• 2 Tablespoons, Vinegar (Whiter or Cider)

• 1 8 Ounce Can, Tomato Sauce

• Salt and Pepper, to taste

Back in those “good ole days”, sloppy joes were quite popular and super easy. All you had to do was open a can of Manwhich and pour it on top of cooked ground beef. Spoon the mixture on a hamburger bun and done!

But for as easy and yummy as those Sloppy Joes were, they sure do live up to the name “Sloppy”. Putting the right amount of mixture on the buns became a science really. Too little mixture, it tasted like seasoned wet bread. Too much mixture, well it tasted like seasoned wet bread with the mixture having plopped out of the bun.

I always had to eat mine with a fork (no fun). So, this is why I came up with an updated version called, “Not So” Sloppy Joes. I decided to trade in the hamburger bun for a hollowed out Italian bread loaf! How does that sound? All the sloppiness will have a nice space to reside in. And to top it off (no pun intended!!), it ends up becoming an open faced sandwich topped with shredded mozzarella cheese and pickles.

All that’s left to do is melt the cheese on top and cut up into pieces. No forks necessary! Let’s do this!!

Preparing Good Ole Chuck (Roast)

Start by seasoning Chuck with a good amount of salt and pepper, on both sides. Place him in a crockpot, set on low, adding just enough water (or beef broth) to cover the bottom. Cook Chuck until he falls apart, 6-8 hours.

Once Chuck is cooked, remove him, reserving about one cup strained liquid, shred him and place him aside.

To strain the liquid you will need a fine mesh strainer. Place it over a bowl, and pour the liquid through it. The strainer will catch any unwanted particles in your broth. If you don’t want the hassle, just use water or for added flavor, some beef broth.

”Not So” Sloppy Joes Filling

Grab yourself a large stock pot and place on the stove, turning the heat to low. Add in the rest of the ingredients, mixing until combined.

Next, stir in the shredded chuck. Using the strained liquid add in a little at a time. Simmer on low for an hour and a half. The mixture should be fairly thick.

Time to build our canoe

Take an Italian bread loaf and cut it lengthwise. Scoop out most of the bread, creating a “canoe”. Place under the broiler and toast. This will take mere seconds. Do not step away from the oven. Now place your “Not So” Sloppy Joe mixture in each “canoe”.

Top with shredded cheese and pickles.

Bake until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Remove from the oven and carefully cut into desired pieces.

Now grab a plate, ONE napkin and perhaps a nice helping of Mom’s MAC or Potato Salad with Bacon and enjoy the “Not So” Sloppy Joes, my way.~Christina