Remember those old Hasbro commercials about family game night? Everyone is getting along. There’s no yelling, crying or screaming. The competition is only of the “friendly” persuasion. Yeah…that’s not how it works in my family. It may start out that way, but before long I’m sulking in the corner because I’m in last place (I’m a horrible loser), my brother is gloating about his win, my parents are shaking their heads in disbelief at their overgrown babies, and my sister is just trying to get everyone to come back to the table so we can resume the game. There are a few ways to remedy this issue. 1 – Try out a new game no one has ever played before (only works for 1 round before someone “masters it”). 2 – Make loud noises to distract family members while I steal the cards/money/desired pieces (only really improves the situation for me rather than the rest of the family). 3 – Make a lot of food so everyone is busy munching and no one has time to cry/scream/gloat/sulk/etc. One game that is particularly sulk-inducing is poker. Somehow my brother, sister, mother and father all have some talent when it comes to this tricky little game…a talent that I seem to lack. Maybe next time I can distract them my new favorite, not-so-tidy, no-utensil-requiring finger food.
Quick shout-out to my sorority sister, Amanda who provided me with this recipe after my first attempt at a healthy (read: vegetarian) sloppy joe.
Ingredients (makes enough for 8 sandwiches):
- Sloppy Joe Spice: Combine equal parts of the following seasonings – onion powder, garlic powder, coriander, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes (I made a lot and saved it for next time)
- 2 sweet onions, diced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 2 lbs ground turkey
- 2 tbs sloppy joe spice
- 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce (I usually make this recipe)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbs worcestershire sauce
- 8 buns (onion buns are the best)
- Sauté the onions and bell peppers in olive oil till soft (5-8 min).
- Add the two tbs of sloppy joe spice, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, and tomato sauce to the sautéed veggies, and mix.
- In a separate pan, brown the turkey.
- Combine the two pans and simmer for 5-7 minutes (or longer if you want it less saucy).
- Serve on a bun and enjoy!
