Sometimes easy comfort food is what is needed

It has been a bit stressful around here lately. This past weekend, we found out that we have to drive to Alabama in less than 2 weeks to pick up my mother-in-law and move her to St. Louis to stay with us, for what we are hoping will be a short time. I know that doesn't sound nice, but her health is not good at all, and I have never wanted to be a nurse. As a matter of fact, I am probably the last person you want around during a crisis! When I panic, I have a terrible habit of laughing and babbling uncontrollably. So, we are trying to find all of the information about the local nursing homes. We are finding it difficult with her not being in state, and not having any local doctors. I never knew how hard it was to find nursing homes.

So, you can say that we are in definite need of comfort food. Comfort food is different to everyone, it depends mainly on what you grew up with. There are so many different dishes that I personally define as comfort food - chicken pot-pie, dhal, macaroni and cheese, chicken noodle soup... for me this could be a very long list.

I think that most people would not think of Sloppy Joes as a comfort food dish. My memories are of my mom every once in a while making a batch of Sloppy Joes, from a can of course! I remember those days as being special. Don't laugh - I told you that my mom wasn't a very good cook!

In doing research online, I found this wonderful Ode to Sloppy Joe that helps sum up some of that comfort food feeling that people get towards this dish. I guess that I am not the only one with fond memories toward this messy sandwich.

It has taken me a while to come up with a recipe for Sloppy Joes that I like, and I actually have two different versions. The one that I am giving you today is my full fat version. When you need comfort food, a lot of times you need the full fat version!I also love this dish because it's quick and easy. I like to serve this open-faced on lightly toasted good bread with an extra coating of garlic. I used to make a double batch so that I could freeze the extra in individual servings in order to have for those busy days when I don't want or feel like cooking.

Sloppy Joes

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, finely chopped2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 large bell pepper, finely chopped (any color will do, I like red bell pepper personally)
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 cup beer
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup catsup
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tsp Dijon mustard
4 teaspoons white vinegar
1/4 - 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, to taste
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Heat the oil over medium high heat, and saute the onion for about 3 minutes. Add the celery and the bell pepper and continue sauteing until the vegetables are soft and beginning to brown. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Push the vegetables to the side and add the beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the meat is cooked through and no pink remains.

Add the beer, Worcestershire, catsup, tomato paste, mustard, vinegar, and hot pepper sauce. Reduce the heat and simmer approximately 20 minutes until the sauce has thickened up and the flavors are blended. Season to taste, and serve either open faced on bread or within hamburger buns.