Sloppy Joes Hit A Home Run

The Recipe Spot

Sloppy Joes Hit A Home Run

Super Bowl has come and gone and March Madness is in its final days, and now it’s finally time to sing the praises of ‘Take me out to the ballgame.’

Yes, baseball fanatics, the 2013 Major League baseball season begins Monday.

Marking the end of the seven-week spring training camp, the unofficial American ‘holiday’ that is often compared to a near-religious experience, gets underway with 12 opening day games.

The Dodgers will host the Giants for a 1:10 p.m. game, both of the National League West division, while the Cincinnati Reds hosts the Angels in the first game of interleague play Monday.

With two leagues of 15 teams each, there will be an unusual amount of interleague games on tap for the 2013 season, as each club will play 20 interleague games throughout the regular season.

With many opening day memorable moments like presidents throwing the first pitch, last year’s opening day game between the Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays established a new record in the history books as the longest game, lasting 16 innings.

As the venerable pitchers on Monday unleash the first pitches of the season those with an appetite for all things baseball, fans will be able to enjoy a full season consisting of 2430 games when the regular season ends September 29.

For those of you who are lucky enough to score tickets to the opening day game Monday at Dodger Stadium, this game-day opener must-have recipe will not apply to you because you will be feasting on ballpark food made for stomachs constructed of steel.

But for those baseball junkies who decide to play hooky from your regular Monday obligations and watch all the opening day festivities on television, (you know who you are), this male-centric, no fuss- recipe for Sloppy Joes, which was probably named after some guy by the name of ‘Joe,’ back in the 1970s, will take center-field, and is guaranteed to bring on the baseball spirit.

So, it’s time to step up to the plate and forget the peanuts, Cracker Jacks and cholesterol level and grab a cold beer or two, a bag of greasy chips, along with the remote control and root for your favorite team.

Sloppy Joes

1 lb lean ground beef

1 TBSP. Olive oil

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

½ red bell pepper, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

¼ cup barbeque sauce

2 TBSP. Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

A dash of Tabasco sauce- optional

Hamburger buns (warm)

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off the fat, remove from pan and put aside. In the same pan, add a little olive oil and sauté the onion for 2 minutes. Add the red bell pepper and sauté another two minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for one minute. Add the onion and cook for about five minutes. Add the tomato sauce, barbeque sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Add a dash of Tabasco for added heat- optional. Mix well and simmer on medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Serve on hamburger buns.

Makes six servings.

CherylG916@gmail.com