Asian-Inspired Sloppy Joes

An unadapted version of this Asian-inspired Sloppy Joe recipe was shared with me a number of years ago by a dear friend Jill - she's a wonderful cook and we have similar flavor palates, for the most part.  I say for the most part because we don't share a love for every ingredients.  Cilantro for example - I love to serve these sloppy joes with lots of fresh cilantro, but she absolutely detests it.  Spicy heat is another area where we don't always see eye to eye.  I like things a bit spicier than she does so if you tend to not like as much spice as I do, go ahead and reduce the cayenne pepper by half (or eliminate it completely). 

Let me show you how these sloppy, gingery, yummy sandwiches are made.

Start with a mixture of minced red bell peppers, onions, and celery.

Saute the veggies in a bit of canola oil until softened and the onions turn translucent.

Done.

Next add ground turkey and cook until no pink remains, stirring frequently to break up clumps. 

I've made this recipe with ground beef, but ground turkey actually works better, much better - the flavors of the ground turkey and sauce are beautiful together. 

Speaking of the sauce, here's the cast of characters (clockwise from left to right):  brown sugar, red wine vinegar, soy sauce, creamy peanut butter, garlic powder, cayenne powder, and ground ginger.

So here's how the ground turkey should look when it's cooked through.

Add all the sauce ingredients and stir well to combine. 

Simmer for 5 minutes over medium heat. 

Now this part wasn't included in the original recipe, but Jill highly recommended it and I have to agree, it's an excellent addition. 

Anyone out there have a good copycat recipe for this dressing?  Please share if you do.

Simply buy a bag of broccoli slaw and dress it with Trader Joe's Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette, then pile it on top of the sloppy joe filling.  

I like to build these sandwiches on soft, pillowy brioche buns.  Add as much asian sloppy joe filling as you like.

Then add the crunchy broccoli slaw and fresh cilantro (which I highly recommend, but, sadly, didn’t have any on the day I took these photos).

Serve with lots of napkins and enjoy! 

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• 12-inch cast iron skillet https://amzn.to/3BlZNPb

• my favorite Wusthof knife https://amzn.to/3NKOoQt

• huge cutting board https://amzn.to/3qSERxM

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Asian-Inspired Sloppy Joes

makes 6 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons peanut or canola oil

• 1/2 cup chopped onion

• 1/2 cup chopped celery

• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

• 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder (not garlic salt)

• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

• 6 brioche buns

• garnish - chopped fresh cilantro (optional, but highly recommended)

Directions

1. In a large skillet over medium high heat, saute onions, celery, and bell peppers in oil until they soften.

2. Add ground turkey and cook, stirring frequently to break up clumps, until no pink remains.

3. Stir in red wine vinegar, soy, peanut butter, brown sugar, garlic powder, ground ginger, and cayenne; heat to bubbling, then turn down the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

4. Pile mixture onto hamburger buns that have been lined with lettuce leaves and top with chopped cilantro if desired.

Note

• These sandwiches are excellent on their own, but topped with a layer of broccoli slaw dressed with spicy peanut vinaigrette (and fresh cilantro, if you dare) takes them to the next level. I'm absolutely addicted to Trader Joe's spicy peanut vinaigrette (found in the refrigerator section).  Please drop me a line if you know of a good copycat recipe.

Frittata with Ham and Roasted Vegetables

Frittatas are one of my favorite egg dishes for a few reasons.  First, there's no need to make a crust - which is both a time saver and it reduces our carb intake.  Second, you can fill them with just about anything - specific meat/veggie combos, leftovers from last night's dinner, forgotten items from the crisper drawer, etc.  And last, but certainly not least, they're equally delicious served both warm and at room temperature.  So that makes frittatas tasty, versatile, and convenient!  I hope I've convinced you to give them a try.

Start by roasting a mixture of vegetables in the oven as directed in the recipe below.

In a 12-inch cast iron skillet, saute ham and scallions in a little butter.  Remove from heat.

Note: this recipe can be reduced in half and baked in an 8 or 9-inch cast iron skillet.

Add the roasted vegetables to the skillet with the ham and stir well.  Lightly press the vegetables into an even layer - don't press too firmly, there needs to be lots of air spaces for the egg mixture to seep into.

Wondering what that red thing is?  It's a silicone handle cover so I don't burn my hands on the hot skillet.

Whisk together eggs, cream, milk, parmesan cheese, scallions, kosher salt, and pepper.

Pour the egg mixture over the vegetables.

Carefully transfer the skillet to a 350F oven for 30-35 minutes or until the eggs are no longer giggly in the center of the pan.

Remove from oven and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and chopped chives evenly all over.  Return to oven for 3 or 4 minutes to melt cheese.  If you like your cheese browned, carefully place under broiler for a minute or so.

Allow to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• 12-inch cast iron skillet https://amzn.to/3pfetxU

• silicone handle cover https://amzn.to/44bRliq

• pie server https://amzn.to/3qYMcMz

• flat whisk https://amzn.to/3skqvTS

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Frittata with Ham and Roasted Vegetables

makes 12 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 cups chopped bell pepper (I used red and orange)

• 2 cups seeded and chopped zucchini and/or summer squash

• 2 cups chopped mushrooms

• 1 cup chopped red, white, or yellow onion

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 2 teaspoons finely minced garlic
  

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 cups cubed ham

• 2 scallions, sliced
  

• 12 large eggs

• 1/4 cup heavy cream

• 3/4 cup whole milk

• 2 scallions, chopped

• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (use the good stuff)

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  

• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 teaspoon chopped chives

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425F and place rack in center position.

2. Place chopped peppers, zucchini/summer squash, mushrooms, and onion on half sheet pan.

3. Coat vegetables evenly with olive oil, salt, and pepper, tossing as needed; shake pan to spread vegetables in an even layer.

4. After 15 minutes, remove vegetables from oven and add minced garlic; toss well and spread veggies out in a single layer and return to oven for 15-30 minutes until they are caramelized (the time will vary depending on which vegetables you use).

5. Remove vegetables from oven and set aside until needed.

6. Reduce oven temp to 350F.

7. In a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat, saute ham and scallions in butter for about 5 minutes or until ham browns a bit; remove from heat.

8. Add roasted vegetables to the skillet; stir the ham and vegetables together well and lightly press into an even layer (don't pack it tightly - you want to leave lots of air pockets for the egg mixture to seep into).

9. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, milk, scallions, parmesan cheese, kosher salt, and black pepper; pour evenly over vegetables.

10. Carefully place skillet into 350F oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the eggs are cooked through and no longer giggly in the center of the pan.

11. Remove from oven and top with shredded cheddar and chopped chives; return to oven for 3-4 minutes until cheese melts. If you like the cheese to brown a bit, place under broiler for a minute or two (watch it carefully to prevent burning).

recipe inspired by ina garten