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Leslie Myers

Sloppy Joes (Leslie’s Version)

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Tbsp oil divided
  • 1 lb ground turkey or ground beef optional: fold in cubed, extra-firm tofu at the end
  • ½ of a medium finally diced onion about ¾ of a cup
  • ½ cup finely diced celery (about 1 small stalk
  • ½ cup grated carrot about 1 medium carrot
  • 1 cup small-diced red or green bell pepper about 1 medium bell pepper
  • ½ 1 cup water
  • 2 cloves garlic minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
  • 3 oz tomato paste ½ of a 6-oz can
  • 7 8 oz tomato sauce ½ of a 15-oz can
  • Pinch of ground cloves
  • 1 2 Tbsp blackstrap molasses
  • 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 4 cups spinach leaves
  • ½ cup finely chopped parsley

Method
 

  1. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Cook the turkey or beef until browned and cooked through. Remove from the pan. If using tofu, skip this step
  2. Add the remaining oil, onion, celery, carrot, and bell pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes, splashing in 1–2 Tbsp water at a time to steam and soften the vegetables
  3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes.
  4. Stir in tomato sauce, cloves, balsamic vinegar, molasses,cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Return meat to the pan. Simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Fold in the spinach and parsley just before serving until spinach is wilted.
  6. Serve on a hamburger-stye bun, roasted sweet potato halves or quinoa.