Sloppy Joe (Indian Style)

Recipe No: 71

Even though the concept of the Sloppy Joe is western, this particular one is loaded with Indian flavors. Served on a bun like our Pav Bhaji, this is made usually with minced beef giving an excellent chance to sneak in some veggies to your kids and your stubbornly non vegetarian husband!!! Keep your table manners aside and don’t quarrel with your kids if they have some on their face, or some fell back into their plate or even they lick their fingers….because this is meant to be sloppy…after all this is Sloppy Joe!!!

Ingredients                                              Serves 5
To make the meat mixture

• Minced beef……………………..….1 ½ cups
• Oil………………………………….…..2 Tablespoons
• Onion chopped………………..…..1 cup
• Ginger- Garlic paste…………......1 Teaspoon
• Finely chopped vegetables…...1 cup (I used Carrots, Beans, Frozen Green Peas and Green Onion)
• Pepper powder………………..…...1/4 Teaspoon
• Turmeric Powder……….............1/4 Teaspoon
• Red Chilly Powder…...…………..1 Teaspoon
• Coriander Powder……………......1 ½ Teaspoons
• Garam Masala Powder……….....1/2 Teaspoon
• Roasted Cumin Powder……......1/4 Teaspoon
• Tomato Sauce……………….….....8 oz or 1 cup
• Water ………………………………...1 Cup
• Coriander Leaves chopped……..2 Tablespoons (Also known as Cilantro)
• Chopped Roasted Cashew nuts...2 Tablespoons (optional)

To assemble

• Burger Buns……………………….....5 No
• Lettuce Leaves............................5 (Washed and dried)

Method of preparation

1. In a pan on medium high heat, add oil followed by Chopped onion and salt. Saute it till translucent.
2. Add the minced meat and fry till slightly brown. Add Ginger garlic paste and saute till the raw smell is gone.
3. Mix in the veggies and fry for a minute.
4. Lower the heat to medium low and add Pepper powder, Turmeric powder, Red Chilly powder, Coriander powder, Garam Masala powder and roasted Cumin powder and saute till the raw smell is gone for about 2 minutes.
5. Mix in the tomato sauce and water. Transfer this mixture to a Pressure cooker and cook till two whistles.
6. When the Pressure cooker is cooled open it and let it dry out until it is thick but still wet. Add Cashew nuts and minced coriander leaves and switch off the flame after checking the level of salt.

To assemble the Sloppy Joe

1. Split the burger buns into two.
2. Place a lettuce on top of the bottom piece and then place the meat mixture.
3. Cover with the top of the bun.
4. Serve hot.

Notes:

• In order to make roasted Cumin Powder either roast store bought Cumin powder in a dry pan on medium heat till slightly dark and fragrant or Roast whole Cumin seeds till dark and fragrant and then powder it.
• Please do not misinterpret tomato sauce with Ketch up or tomato paste. Ketch up is generally used as a dipping sauce and is slightly sweet and tomato paste is thick and strongly flavored. Tomato sauce is generally used for cooking and to make pasta sauces. If this is not available, puree tomatoes without skin and cook till thick and use.
• Frying the meat is important as it develops the flavor of the dish.
• Start cooking in a pressure cooker itself so that you will have only one less dish to wash.

Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and 

serve it to your family with love…