What's for Dinner: Easy Pulled Pork Sloppy Joes
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Since the 1930s, when it first showed up on the menu at a bar in Key West, Fla., the sloppy Joe sandwich has been an American classic. The jury's still out on whether the sweet-and-spicy chopped meat dish -- traditionally served on soft hamburger buns -- originated in Havana or is a shining example of American ingenuity; during the Depression, cooks developed all kinds of tricks for stretching meat into more servings.
This recipe from TV personality/executive chef Cat Cora substitutes ground pork for hamburger. It brings a bright new taste to a familiar dish. Serve with creamy coleslaw (Ms. Cora makes hers with green and red cabbage and cilantro) and salty french fries.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds extra-lean ground pork
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, cored and chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Worchestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Kosher salt
- 6 sesame buns, toasted
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add the pork and brown, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. When the meat is still slightly pink, remove from the pan and set aside. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the onion and the bell pepper and cook, stirring, until soft and lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low. Return the pork to the pan and stir in the garlic powder, cinnamon, Worcestershire, Tabasco, ketchup, brown sugar and water. Add the black pepper and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are blended and the mixture is saucy. Spoon onto toasted buns and serve. Taste and add salt, if needed.
Serves 6.
-- "Cat Cora's Classics With a Twist: Fresh Takes on Favorite Dishes" by Cat Cora with Ann Krueger Spivack (Houghton Mifflin, 2010, $30)
First Published June 2, 2010 1:23 pm
