Sloppy Joes

This recipe is from my friend, Benita. I like how she sneaks veggies into the sauce. By the way, the parenthetical notes are hers.

Sloppy Joes

1 pound ground beef
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. chopped green, yellow, or red pepper (optional)
(Sometimes I grate a carrot or two instead if I don't have a pepper or for the kids, leave it out completely)
1 Tbsp. packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. paprika (I use either Hungarian paprika or sweet and spicy paprika but you can use plain)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. chili powder (can use either plain or spicy)
1 heaping Tbsp. yellow mustard
1+ tsp. Worcestershire sauce (I let extra run over the spoon)
Approx. 1 c. tomato soup (start with slightly less because you can always add more -- just don't want it too runny)
2 heaping Tbsp. ketchup

Brown hamburger, drain. Add everything else -- simmer 20-30 minutes. Spoon into buns and serve.

Easy Panini Sandwiches

We make these using our George Foreman grill. 

Panini Sandwiches

Hearty sandwich bread 

Turkey, ham, roast beef...whatever deli meat you like

Cheese...your choice

Lettuce, tomato, avacado, alfalfa sprouts...whatever you like!

Mayo, mustard, salt and pepper

Olive oil

Make sandwiches with meat/cheese of choice. Brush outside of sandwich lightly with olive oil and place on George Foreman grill until cheese is melted and sandwich is hot. Add whatever toppings and seasonings you like...and enjoy!

Shredded-Beef Sandwiches

Shredded Beef Sandwiches

3lb chuck roast
1 large onion, cut in chunks
3 bay leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
8 french rolls, split and toasted (if desired)
lettuce and cheese (optional)

Place meat and onion in slow cooker. Add bay leaves, salt, garlic powder, and cloves. Pour vinegar over meat. Cover and cook on low 11-12 hours or high for 5-6 hours. Remove meat. Discard bay leaves. Using two forks, shred meat, discarding any bones and fat. Strain juices, skim off fat, and reserve. Put shredded meat on rolls with cheese and lettuce. Pour juice over meat if desired. Use remaining juice for dipping.

Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

We love these sandwiches! This recipe came from a lady in one of the churches John pastored many years ago, and we still think of Miss Mary every time we enjoy them.

Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwiches

1/2 lb. Black Forest sliced ham (from the deli)
1 package mozzerella slices
24 Kings Hawaiian rolls (2 pkgs)
1/2 stick butter, melted
1/4 cup mustard
2 Tbsp. minced onion
2 Tbsp. poppy seeds

Preheat oven to 350. Mix the melted butter, mustard, onion and poppy seeds in small bowl. Slice the rolls in half (easier if you do this as a whole and not individually), then spread the mustard mixture over the top and bottom of the rolls. Layer ham and cheese on the bottom layer, then put the top rolls on. Cover and bake at 350 until the cheese is melted (5-10 minutes).

This is good on nights that we need a quick dinner. It's also great as an appetizer.

Ooey-Gooey Sandwiches

A great kids snack...

Ooey-Gooey Sandwiches

whole wheat bread
peanut butter
chocolate chips
butter

Spread peanut butter on two slices of bread. Add 8-10 (or more) chocolate chips per sandwich. Lightly butter the outside of the bread and cook on hot griddle until the chocolate chips melt.

This is a great after school snack...the chocolate satisfies their sugar craving, and the protein/grains satisfy mom!

White Bean-and-Tuna Pita

Delicious! And good for you. It's great for a quick and easy summer lunch.

White Bean and Tuna

2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp oregano
1 20oz can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 6 1/2 can solid white tuna in spring water, drained
4 green onions, thinly sliced

Stir together first 5 ingredients. Add beans, tuna, and green onions, tossing gently to coat. Stuff into pre-sliced pitas and enjoy. Sometimes I skip the pita and just serve on bed of lettuce with halves of cherry tomatoes.