Silly kids, Sloppy Joe's aren't just for kids!

Did you know you can make sloppy joe's without a package mix or a can? They are fresh, you know exactly what you're eating and you can tweak them to suit your tastes. Here is the "guideline" I use:

Sloppy Joe's Done Your Way
1 pound ground beef
1 cup sweet Vidallia onoin, chopped
1 small shallot, diced
1 large garlic clove, minced
1, 6 ounce can tomato paste
6 ounces Cola
1/4 cup chili sauce
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1/4 cup  packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
1 teaspoon Gourmet Garden Chili Pepper Spice Blend or;
   1/2 teaspoon chili powder *optional
Salt & Pepper to taste.
Kaiser rolls or toast to serve on. (Tonight I used Cracked Wheat Sourdough bread, lightly toasted.)

In a large skillet over med-hi temp, cook beef, onion, shallot, and garlic until beef is browned and onion is slightly translucent. Drain off excess fat if there is any.

In a separate bowl mix together to combine; tomato paste, Cola (I use the empty tomato paste can as a measuring vessel for the cola), chili sauce, ketchup, quick-cooking rolled oats, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and Chili Pepper sauce. Add to skillet with beef mixture.

Simmer, uncovered, over low heat, stirring occasionally for approximately 30 minutes until sauce is thickened and a bit carmalized. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve on whatever type of bread you desire.

I have also made these substituting the cola with red wine and eliminating the yellow mustard. You can also sweeten these up by adding 1 tablespoon maple syrup. If you wan't to Mexi-fy them...add some chipotle seasoning. Any way you look at it, these are beautiful and much richer than any prepared sloppy joe mix available at the market.  A slice of sharp cheddar cheese added on top fancied the sandwiches up a bit - both in eye appeal and flavor.