Sloppy Maggies (Spicy Sloppy Joes)


This is my mom's rendition of sloppy joes, which takes a super simple recipe and adds even more unique flavor with sambal oelek, an Indonesian chili paste.


You'll need:
  • 1 1/2 lb ground beef (or turkey)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 c ketchup
  • 1/4 c brown sugar
  • 1 Tbs sambal oelek
Take a saucepan and add the raw ground meat and onion. Bring it to medium high and cook, breaking down large chunks with a wooden spoon periodically, until the meat is totally browned. (The onion will be nice and caramelized by now.) Drain the grease into a jar and return the pan to the stove.

Add the Worcestershire sauce and stir into the meat. In a separate bowl, mix the ketchup, brown sugar, and sambal oelek. Then add this sauce to the pan and stir. Bring the heat down to a simmer (medium low, but it should still be bubbling), and let simmer about 10 minutes until the sauce is reduced. Taste and add salt or pepper if you want, but I usually don't have to. You can also add more sambal if you want it spicier.

Serve on hamburger buns smeared with mayo.