I always loved my Mother’s sloppy joes. I have many fond memories of her making these sandwiches. For those of you who didn’t know my Mom, she was always one to lend a helping hand. More than once I remember her taking sloppy joes to a family when they had lost a loved one or were moving. I think my Mom was a wonderful lady and I know her sloppy joes, simple as they are, brought many people joy.

I guess I was in need of some joy when I decided to make them for supper. I don’t know about you, but I am definitely in need of warmer weather and some sunshine. While my sloppy joes didn’t bring the warm weather (it is 5°F outside), they did warm my soul.

When Mom would deliver her sloppy joes, she would always take buns and potato chips to the recipient. We rounded our meal off with some roasted sweet potato rounds, and fruit salad. It was heavenly. So whether you are looking for a quick meal for your family or something to drop off to a friend in need you won’t go wrong with my mom’s sloppy joes.

Two questions: What is one of your favorite meals to take to others or receive when you have needed a hand? When was the last time you took someone in need a meal?

Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:
2-2 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 cup catsup
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Brown ground beef and onion together in a skillet. When the beef is cooked through, drain off the grease. Return the meat and onion to the skillet.
In a 2-cup measuring cup, combine the vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, catsup, and salt. Stir until well combined. Pour the sauce over the browned meat and onion. Stir until the meat is well coated and the sauce has been heated through. Simmer until ready to serve. Serve on the buns of your choice.

(On a side note, my copy of my Mom’s recipe lists these steps: “Brown & Drain, Add, Simmer.” How is that for simple?)

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:
Sweet Potatoes, sliced in 1/4″ rounds
Salt
Pepper
Olive Oil

On a roasting pan, toss your sweet potatoes with olive oil and then salt and pepper the potatoes. Roast them in a 400°F oven turning once. I don’t know exact times, so you will want to keep an eye on these to make sure, but it will probably take between 10 – 15 minutes on each side.